El Rey Network
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAn American entertainment media brand created by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, originally operated as a cable network and later relaunched as a streaming and FAST channel.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
El Rey Network is an American entertainment media brand founded by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez in 2013. Its name means “The King” in Spanish, and the brand was designed around Rodriguez’s distinctive mix of action, exploitation cinema, martial arts, horror, science fiction, genre television, and combat sports. Although the network was intended to appeal particularly to English-speaking Hispanic viewers, its programming identity was broader: it emphasized cult entertainment, visually stylized action, independent filmmaking, and a deliberately irreverent presentation style. The original El Rey was created in the aftermath of the Comcast–NBCUniversal merger. As part of the regulatory commitments associated with that transaction, Comcast supported the creation of minority-oriented independent networks, with El Rey among the outlets developed under that framework. FactoryMade Ventures was involved in the brand’s creation, while Univision Communications became an investor and handled important sales and distribution functions. Antoinette Alfonso Zel was announced as chief executive in 2012, before the network’s launch. El Rey began operating in December 2013 as a linear cable and satellite channel. It initially launched through Comcast systems and expanded during 2014 and 2015 through major distributors including Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, Cox Communications, Cablevision, DirecTV, Dish Network, Suddenlink, AT&T U-verse, and Verizon FiOS. At its peak, the channel was reported to reach approximately 40 million United States households. Its programming combined original series, acquired films, genre marathons, lifestyle programming, and sports. The most prominent original production was From Dusk till Dawn: The Series, adapted from Rodriguez’s film, while Lucha Underground became the network’s signature franchise. Produced with Mark Burnett and featuring talent associated with Lucha Libre AAA World Wide, the wrestling series helped distinguish El Rey from conventional general-entertainment and Hispanic television outlets. The network also used recurring programming events to reinforce its cult-film positioning. These included Godzilla film marathons associated with holiday weekends and the Thanksgiving “Way of the Turkey” kung fu film marathon. Other programming and film presentations included Crow’s Blood, Kung Fury, The People’s Network Showcase, and Rodriguez’s film Red 11. The channel’s presentation style, announcer-led continuity, and emphasis on exploitation and genre material made it a specialized brand rather than a conventional broad-audience cable network. Distribution weakened in the late 2010s. A number of cable and satellite providers dropped El Rey between 2018 and 2020, reducing its household reach. In November 2020, Univision announced that it had sold its stake as part of a broader effort to concentrate on its core Spanish-language operations. El Rey’s linear network service ended at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on December 31, 2020, when the channel went dark. The closure did not end the brand. Instead, El Rey shifted toward digital distribution and was repositioned for the free ad-supported streaming television market. In August 2021, El Rey announced a partnership with Cinedigm to relaunch as a FAST channel. The renewed service debuted through The Roku Channel on August 17, 2021. The agreement also included distribution of Red 11 and the companion documentary series Rebel Without a Crew: The Robert Rodriguez Film School. By 2024, Fuse Media had partnered with El Rey to launch El Rey Rebel, a FAST channel combining El Rey’s original programming with combat-sports content made available through Fuse’s relationships with Golden Boy Promotions and Combate Global. El Rey Rebel began distribution on DirecTV in June 2024. The brand therefore evolved from a traditional pay-television network into a digital genre-entertainment service while retaining its Rodriguez-led identity.
History
El Rey Network was established in 2013 by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez as a specialized American entertainment network. The project emerged from regulatory conditions attached to the Comcast–NBCUniversal merger, which encouraged the development of independent outlets serving underrepresented audiences. FactoryMade Ventures participated in the venture, and Univision Communications joined as an investor responsible for sales and distribution support. Antoinette Alfonso Zel was announced as chief executive before the launch. The linear channel began broadcasting during the week of December 15, 2013. Comcast carried it on selected systems, and distribution expanded in 2014 through Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, Cox Communications, Cablevision, and DirecTV. Dish Network, Suddenlink, AT&T U-verse, and Verizon FiOS followed in 2015. El Rey built its identity around English-language genre entertainment, including action films, exploitation cinema, martial arts, horror, science fiction, lifestyle programs, and combat sports. Its intended audience included English-speaking Hispanic viewers, but the channel’s programming and presentation were designed for a wider cult-entertainment audience. Original programming was central to the brand. From Dusk till Dawn: The Series extended Rodriguez’s film universe into episodic television. In October 2014, Lucha Underground premiered as a wrestling series produced with Mark Burnett and connected to Lucha Libre AAA World Wide. It became El Rey’s signature series and gave the channel a distinctive sports-entertainment property. El Rey also acquired and presented genre titles such as Crow’s Blood and Kung Fury, and it aired Rodriguez-related projects including Red 11. Recurring film events, including Godzilla holiday marathons and the Thanksgiving Way of the Turkey kung fu marathon, strengthened the network’s curatorial identity. The channel reportedly reached roughly 40 million households by March 2015. Its distribution later contracted as providers removed it from their lineups. By the end of the 2010s, the decline in carriage had materially reduced the network’s reach. On November 6, 2020, Univision disclosed that it had sold its stake while refocusing on its principal Spanish-language operations. El Rey subsequently ended its linear cable and satellite service at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on December 31, 2020. Contemporary reporting suggested that the brand might return through streaming rather than disappear entirely. That transition occurred in 2021. In August, El Rey announced a partnership with Cinedigm to distribute a FAST version of the service. The relaunch included digital distribution of Rodriguez’s 2019 film Red 11 and the related documentary project Rebel Without a Crew: The Robert Rodriguez Film School. The service launched on The Roku Channel on August 17, 2021. El Rey’s later strategy emphasized free ad-supported streaming rather than traditional pay television. In 2024, Fuse Media partnered with El Rey to create El Rey Rebel, a FAST channel carrying El Rey originals alongside combat-sports programming connected to Fuse partnerships with Golden Boy Promotions and Combate Global. The channel became available through DirecTV in June 2024. El Rey therefore remains an active media brand, but its current form is a digitally distributed streaming channel rather than the nationwide linear cable network that operated from 2013 through 2020.
- 2024
El Rey Rebel expands FAST distribution
[1]Fuse Media partnered with El Rey on El Rey Rebel, which began distribution through DirecTV in June.
- 2021
Digital relaunch
[1]El Rey relaunched as a FAST channel through Cinedigm and The Roku Channel.
- 2020
Linear channel closes
[1]The cable and satellite service ended on December 31 after distribution losses and Univision's exit.
- 2015
Distribution reaches approximately 40 million households
[1]El Rey's reported household reach peaked at approximately 40 million during its linear-network period.
- 2014
Lucha Underground premieres
[1]The wrestling series debuted and became a defining El Rey property.
- 2013
El Rey Network launches
[1]The network began operations in December as a genre-oriented cable service.
- 2012
Antoinette Alfonso Zel named chief executive
[1]Antoinette Alfonso Zel was announced as the incoming chief executive before the network launched.
Products and positioning
A creator-led, genre-focused entertainment brand centered on action, exploitation, martial arts, horror, science fiction, cult film, and combat sports, with a particular connection to English-speaking Hispanic audiences and Robert Rodriguez's filmmaking universe.
Original wrestling series · 2014
Lucha Underground
A serialized professional-wrestling program launched in 2014 with talent associated with Lucha Libre AAA World Wide. Produced with Mark Burnett, it became El Rey Network’s flagship original and one of the brand’s most recognizable properties.
Original scripted television series · 2014
From Dusk till Dawn: The Series
An episodic expansion of Robert Rodriguez’s From Dusk till Dawn film universe. The series represented El Rey’s strategy of using Rodriguez-associated genre properties as anchors for original programming.
FAST streaming channel · 2024
El Rey Rebel
A free ad-supported streaming channel developed with Fuse Media. It combines El Rey’s original and acquired genre content with combat-sports programming connected to Fuse’s sports partnerships.
Film · 2019
Red 11
Robert Rodriguez’s 2019 film distributed as part of the Cinedigm agreement supporting El Rey’s digital relaunch.
Documentary series · 2021
Rebel Without a Crew: The Robert Rodriguez Film School
A companion documentary series included in the Cinedigm digital distribution arrangement. It presents a filmmaking-oriented extension of Rodriguez’s low-budget production philosophy and the Red 11 project.
Marketing campaigns
- 2024El Rey Rebel
United States
El Rey and Fuse Media created a FAST channel combining El Rey programming with combat-sports content.
Outcome. El Rey Rebel expanded its distribution through DirecTV in June 2024.
- 2021FAST relaunch with Cinedigm
United States
El Rey shifted from linear pay television to free ad-supported streaming, using Cinedigm distribution and a launch on The Roku Channel.
Outcome. The brand returned to distribution after the 2020 closure of its cable channel.
- 2013El Rey Network launch
United States
The launch positioned El Rey as an English-language Hispanic-oriented network with a distinctive action and exploitation entertainment identity.
Outcome. The channel secured expanding cable and satellite carriage during its first two years.
Brand decisions
2024
Launch of El Rey RebelProduct launchBackground
El Rey's streaming strategy expanded through a partnership with Fuse Media and Fuse's combat-sports content relationships.
Action taken
The partners introduced El Rey Rebel as a FAST channel and expanded its availability to DirecTV.
Aftermath
El Rey broadened its digital programming mix beyond its original library and film-focused identity.
2021
FAST channel relaunch with CinedigmStrategyBackground
After the closure of its linear channel, El Rey sought a lower-distribution-cost digital model.
Action taken
El Rey partnered with Cinedigm and launched through The Roku Channel, adding Red 11 and a related documentary project to the digital offering.
Aftermath
The brand resumed availability as a streaming service rather than a traditional cable network.
2020
Univision exits El Rey NetworkM&ABackground
Univision announced the sale of its stake while refocusing its corporate strategy on core Spanish-language businesses.
Action taken
Univision sold its interest in El Rey, changing the ownership and operating context of the network.
Aftermath
The linear channel closed at the end of 2020, with the brand subsequently repositioned for streaming.
2020
Transition from linear television to streamingStrategyBackground
Declining carriage reduced El Rey's linear television household reach from its earlier peak.
Action taken
The cable and satellite channel ceased operations on December 31, while the brand pursued a potential digital continuation.
Aftermath
The service relaunched as a FAST channel in 2021.
Recent events
Reported
El Rey Network launches on XUMO[3]
El Rey Network launched on XUMO as both a free ad-supported streaming TV and video-on-demand channel.
Reported
Cinedigm and El Rey Network announce streaming partnership[4]
Cinedigm announced a partnership with El Rey Network to move the channel from linear distribution to streaming. The deal also provides Cinedigm exclusive streaming rights to Robert Rodriguez's film Red 11 and its companion docuseries.
Sources4 sources
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