Eva Longoria and Cris Abrego, two high-profile Latinos in Hollywood, have teamed up to launch Hyphenate Media Group. This new venture, backed by Banijay, will not only develop and produce its own projects but also invest in creator-led companies. The announcement was made during a keynote at Mipcom, where the long-time friends shared their plans for the new company.
Cris Abrego will take on the role of CEO, while Eva Longoria will serve as Chief Creative Officer of Hyphenate Media Group. As part of its launch, the company has acquired the complete slate of Longoria’s UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, which has been responsible for successful series such as NBC’s “Telenovela,” ABC’s “Grand Hotel,” and CNN’s “Searching for Mexico.”
One of the standout projects set to be developed by Hyphenate is “Land of Women,” a six-part series starring and executive produced by Eva Longoria. This highly anticipated series will premiere on Apple TV+ in 2024. Hyphenate Media Group will focus on producing both scripted and unscripted series, with Longoria involved in all television projects under the new banner. The leadership team of Hyphenate Media Group is expected to be finalized later this year.
Cris Abrego, founder of 51 Minds Entertainment, the production company behind “Below Deck,” will continue to serve as Chairman of Americas for Banijay. Abrego also holds other prestigious positions, including Chair of the Television Academy Foundation and member of the Executive Committee for the Television Academy.
This collaboration marks Banijay’s first investment into the U.S. scripted space. Eva Longoria expressed her excitement for Hyphenate Media Group, stating that they aim to provide premium content with broad appeal and a unique perspective. The company’s goal is to offer greater financial participation to makers, creators, talent, and entrepreneurs, whom they fondly refer to as the “Hyphenates.” Longoria believes that now is the perfect time to support creators, as the industry undergoes multiple transformations.
Cris Abrego shared his vision for Hyphenate Media Group, highlighting their commitment to nurturing visionary multi-hyphenate artists by providing resources and infrastructure for their businesses to thrive. With capital, brand development, and leadership provided by Hyphenate, they aim to drive creative output, enhance deal-making capacity, and grow brands through original IP. Having scaled multiple production studios over his career, Abrego appreciates the support and investment from Stéphane and Marco, the minds behind Banijay, as they embark on this new chapter.
