Americas Now Expands to One Hour, Airs Sundays

Americas Now

Americas Now

CCTV America’s news magazine program Americas Now moves to one-hour, as the network expands its US-based programming.

Americas Now

Americas Now, CCTV America’s weekly news magazine explores the economic, political and social dynamics of one of the world’s fastest-changing regions, Latin America.

CCTV America’s weekly news magazine that explores Latin America and the economic, political and social dynamics of one of the world’s fastest-changing regions will launch its expanded program on April 13, 2014, allowing viewers to get even closer to the Americas.

Hosted by one of CCTV America’s main anchors Elaine Reyes, and with correspondents stationed in almost every major city in the region, Americas Now will take viewers on a tour of current events, telling stories of impact and providing insight, analysis and commentary by leaders, newsmakers and experts. It will also shine a light on the region’s cultural scene, introducing viewers to artistic expressions, new and old.

Our premiere show begins at the US-Mexico border, where Mexican cartels are using increasing numbers of juvenile “mules” to smuggle small batches of drugs to the United States. Mike Kirsch will report on their strategy of keeping U.S. agents busy arresting “small fish,” while big drug shipments are snuck into the country. As this trend leads to tragedy – as many as 500 kids are currently facing drug dealing charges in U.S. courts – we meet the kids recruited as “mules” and speak to the authorities who are working to give them back their youth.

Then, Elaine Reyes interviews Uruguay’s Foreign Minister Luis Almagro about trailblazer politics. They’ll discuss legalization of marijuana, same-sex marriage and abortion, as well as what is next for the most progressive country in the region. We’ll hear him talk about Uruguay’s role in Haiti, where a large contingent of peacekeeping soldiers were helping the island nation transition to democracy; and ask him about Venezuela’s unrest and Uruguay’s role as a UNASUR member, in mediating the crisis.
A new segment called “Game Changers” will introduce viewers to an individual catalyzing social change and inspiring others in the Americas. The segment launches this week with a profile of trainer Alfredo Tilves, who believes soccer can change the world. Tilves is taking empty fields in Colombia’s most violent areas, and transforming them into soccer fields. Now, areas formerly used for drug sale and use, are filled with coaches who not only teach soccer, but serve as mentors who foster a spirit of discipline, collaboration and trust in young players.

Next, Liling Tan reports on the proliferation of forged art in NY, where as many as 50 percent of pieces exhibited on the walls of museums and private collections are said by some experts to be fake or stolen art. We’ll meet the experts that are running the auctions in the billion-dollar market, and meet a forger with years of experience creating counterfeits.

Elaine Reyes will then interview Pau Dones, the lead singer of the band Jarabe de Palo. The band is in the U.S. on the most expansive tour of their career, and will present “SOMOS,” a new album paints a picture of the social and economic troubles driving the region.

The premiere ends with a musical, a brief story told without spoken words, highlighting a visually impactful aspect of the region through music and images. This week, we’ll explore why the buggy, Volkswagen’s most iconic vehicle, is still found everywhere in South America. With Brazil and Mexico being the largest manufacturers of VWs in the world, we’ll learn why a car that’s been long phased out of production is still a common sight in Latin America.

This is Americas Now. From Cape Columbia, Canada to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina – and everything in between – we take viewers deep into the Americas and let them see the region in a way they’ve never seen it before.