Univision Debuts True Crime Show ‘C.D.I.’ At 10 P.M., Replacing Telenovelas

Univision is leaving behind the romance and intrigue of its late-night telenovela slot to make way for the network’s first-ever true crime production, C.D.I. (Código de Investigación/Investigation Code). Co-Developed & produced by 360POWWOW.

C.D.I. Univision's first-ever True Crime Production

The primetime programming shift comes after a turbulent 2024 for TelevisaUnivision, marked by changes in executive leadership, a wave of layoffs, the exit of many veteran reporters and talent, the departure of longtime anchor Jorge Ramos, and show cancellations.

C.D.I. premieres on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, and will air live Monday through Friday at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The program replaces El precio de amarte, which had its grand finale on Monday night.

The decision to replace its signature novelas with a true crime program marks a significant departure for Univision, which has long relied on Televisa telenovelas and has access to an extensive library, following a multibillion-dollar content merger. According to Univision’s Vice President of Programming Strategy and Scheduling Barbara Musa Ruiz, the move is part of a larger effort to innovate and stay attuned to evolving viewer preferences.

“Our strategy is to build a programming slate that attracts diverse viewers and introduces new, compelling content for our audience,” said Musa Ruiz. “With the addition of this new genre - a first for us - we broaden our content while meeting the interests of our viewers.”

Musa Ruiz notes that introducing a true crime show is part of the network's efforts to push for innovation and audience engagement.

“While our extensive TelevisaUnivision content library remains a cornerstone of our programming, we recognized an opportunity to capitalize on the growing popularity of True Crime among Hispanic audiences, particularly younger viewers,” she explains. “This strategic move allows us to complement our traditional content with fresh, genre-driven programming produced in the U.S., expanding our appeal and staying responsive to evolving viewer preferences.”

Hosted by Borja Voces, co-anchor of Noticiero Univision Edición Digital, and produced in Miami by 360POWWOW, the program will delve into some of the most shocking and captivating crime stories that have gripped public attention. Each episode will feature a mix of past cases and ongoing investigations, offering viewers a blend of historical analysis and live updates. The show will also include exclusive interviews, expert commentary, and cutting-edge technology to provide a comprehensive look at each case.

“Our goal is to craft compelling narratives that respect victims’ experiences while providing meaningful insights into criminal investigations,” says Grizeida Roman, the show's executive producer. “By prioritizing ethical representation and innovative storytelling, we aim to engage viewers without compromising the profound human stories at the heart of each case.”

Despite the title, the program won't be investigating cases.

"C.D.I. is not an investigative show, but rather a true crime entertainment program. The program will focus on discussing, and analyzing, past criminal cases while also following current cases. A panel of experts will offer their perspectives on each case, providing in-depth analysis and insights.," explains Roman.

The premiere episodes will tackle high-profile crimes, including the murder of soldier Vanessa Guillén, which exposed systemic issues of sexual harassment in the military, and the Félix Verdejo case, involving the former Olympic boxer convicted of murder, as well as other significant cases from across the United States and Latin America.

Roman says the production team aims to identify 50 cases for the season and conduct extensive research on up to 100 cases. Univision executives are optimistic about the show’s potential to perform well in the competitive primetime slot.

“We anticipate the show will not only attract new viewers but also provide a strong lead-out from our novela programming, increasing overall audience engagement and retention,” states Musa Ruiz. “We are confident that this new program will contribute to Univision’s continued leadership in Spanish-language television.”