U.S. HISPANIC Versión en español
360 Powwow: “C.D.I. Proved That Innovation in Broadcast TV Is Still Possible”
Maribel Ramos-Weiner| 28 de marzo de 2025
360 Powwow Team: Leo Lavazza, Senior VP of Production and Operations; Lola Moreno, Executive Producer; Julia Orlievsky, Project Manager; Alejandro Pimentel, Director of Non-Scripted and Production; and Adrián Santucho, Chief Creative Officer (CCO)
The first season of C.D.I. (Código de Investigación), produced by 360 Powwow and Univision, recently concluded. According to Adrián Santucho, Chief Creative Officer of the production company, the show demonstrated that it is still possible to innovate in broadcast TV. “There are still opportunities to create projects that are gratifying, that make you proud, and that you are excited to work on. Broadcast TV is alive, and this is proof of it,” he stated.
He emphasized that they met the expectations set by “a network with a very stable audience. We consistently surpassed 250,000 viewers in the 18-49 demographic, which was a key goal.”
Santucho explained that C.D.I. started as a concept on paper, which Univision brought to them for development. “We developed it, brought it to life, and put it on air. It was the first time Borja Voces hosted a primetime nightly show from Monday to Friday. He had previously hosted Mira Quién Baila! and we believed that launching a new franchise, breaking the traditional telenovela timeslot, and achieving success on the TelevisaUnivision platform sent a strong message. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity and are eager to return for a second season.”
Santucho highlighted that C.D.I. is a co-production with Univision, filmed at their studios in Doral, Miami, and “made in the U.S. for the Hispanic audience.”
EFFECTIVE PRODUCTION FORMULA
Leo Lavazza, Senior VP of Production and Operations at 360 Powwow, described working closely with TelevisaUnivision as “a highly rewarding experience.” He explained that they made the most of available resources: “As we all know, budgets are always limited. We sought a production formula that would allow us to achieve our vision. At times, we had to adjust our plans to match reality.”
For example, the set design made strategic use of existing Univision resources. “The art director did an excellent job, as did Univision executives. The set was designed as a space where experts analyze crimes using models. A large board displayed key points, mapping out the connections between crimes and victims. We also adapted Univision’s screens to maintain a consistent storytelling code,” Lavazza explained.
He emphasized that the show’s success came from balancing innovation with existing resources. “By combining both elements, we achieved something great.”
Lavazza also acknowledged the contributions of Ignacio Meyer (President of US Networks), Omar Fajer (Senior VP of Non-Scripted Entertainment & Music), Jaime Acero (Content, Development, and Non-Scripted Director at TelevisaUnivision), Grizeida Soto (Executive Producer), as well as Univision’s Programming and even Security teams. “Everyone played a crucial role. We’re deeply grateful. This was an incredible experience, from set design to the overall production structure. We even worked closely with the legal team due to the sensitive nature of the cases covered,” he added.
A MAJOR PRODUCTION CHALLENGE
Lola Moreno, Executive Producer at 360 Powwow, described the project as a major challenge. “I believe we exceeded expectations. Our viewership numbers were higher than anticipated. We successfully brought the true crime genre closer to audiences in a way that was educational and easy to understand.”
She noted that the key takeaway was realizing that true crime can be presented differently—more like a show rather than a documentary. “We’re used to seeing high-quality documentaries, especially in primetime. However, this show took a more direct approach to engage a broader audience, which contributed to its success.”
Moreno highlighted that the show assembled a team of experts who provided insight into various aspects of crime investigation. She also praised host Borja Voces: “He is exceptionally skilled and well-prepared for a show of this nature.”
One of the biggest challenges, she added, was securing experts from fields such as law enforcement, the FBI, psychology, medicine, criminology, and forensic science. “We had a core group of four to six experts, plus many more specialists in different areas of true crime. This was a valuable addition to the stories we told.”
Santucho concluded by emphasizing the show’s educational impact. “As a daily broadcast format, C.D.I. taught viewers about Amber Alerts, how to communicate with 911, and more complex topics like crime scene investigations, fingerprint analysis, and forensic recreations. We used scale models to depict how crimes were committed. These elements were highly instructional and innovative, placing us at the forefront of Spanish-language primetime TV in the U.S. We disrupted a traditionally telenovela-dominated slot—and we delivered. That is what makes us most proud.”
