Univision buys The Onion (no, really)

January 19, 2016 8:25 AM

Even NPR couldn't resist making a joke, but it's it's true: the largest Spanish-language broadcaster in the U.S. has purchased a controlling interest in satirical news site The Onion and its subsites, legit pop-culture site AV Club and clickbait parody site Clickhole.

This isn't the first time the venerable paper has been sold, either in its universe or in ours, but it's the first time the company has been a subsidiary of anything but itself. Univision promises the sites "will operate independently, maintaining the integrity of the brand and editorial voice".

posted by Etrigan (29 comments total)

If you thought the Onion was tough on Trump until now...
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:28 AM on January 19, 2016 [36 favorites]

"Passersby were amazed at the unusually large amounts of blood."
posted by me3dia at 8:33 AM on January 19, 2016 [32 favorites]

The Onion has been bi-lingual for years, as evidenced by columnist Jim Anchower's "hola amigos" opening to every piece.
posted by dr_dank at 8:44 AM on January 19, 2016 [32 favorites]

Broadcaster Acquires Newspaper to Bolster its Options in the 21st Century.
posted by Smart Dalek at 8:44 AM on January 19, 2016 [6 favorites]

Smoove B is intrigued by this new development.
posted by Ham Snadwich at 8:47 AM on January 19, 2016 [5 favorites]

Oniovision?
posted by Foosnark at 8:54 AM on January 19, 2016 [2 favorites]

As unbelievable as this story is in the press, can you imagine being the people at The Onion when Univision called saying they wanted to buy the place?
posted by foodgeek at 8:55 AM on January 19, 2016 [5 favorites]

Wow, turns out Area Man is Bilingual!
posted by eriko at 8:55 AM on January 19, 2016 [13 favorites]

I believe you mean hombre de la localidad.
posted by briank at 8:58 AM on January 19, 2016 [44 favorites]

¡Bienvenidos a la Cebolla!
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:01 AM on January 19, 2016 [6 favorites]

When Univision is done acquiring satirical publications, can it come open a TV station in my market? Even just a digital substation? Their political coverage is fantastic and local news is not doing it for me.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:09 AM on January 19, 2016 [2 favorites]

$NEW_OWNER promises the sites "will operate independently, maintaining the integrity of the brand and editorial voice".

In the entire history of mass media and conglomerates, has that statement ever, EVER proved true?
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 9:17 AM on January 19, 2016 [14 favorites]

Well, it survived a previous corporate buyout with minor consequences.
posted by ignignokt at 9:21 AM on January 19, 2016 [9 favorites]

I often like to tell people that I read The Onion because it's America's last remaining newspaper with an emotionally-honest left-wing editorial voice, and watch their faces as they realize that I'm serious.
posted by schmod at 9:39 AM on January 19, 2016 [19 favorites]

Can't wait for the next season of Sex House as a telenovela.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 9:55 AM on January 19, 2016 [5 favorites]

"Tú Eres Estúpido"
posted by Rhaomi at 10:06 AM on January 19, 2016

I'm looking forward to the sports page coverage.

NHL
-------
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!

NFL
-----
TOUCHDOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWNNNNNNNNNNNNN!

MLB
-----
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLRUUNNNNNN!!!!!

NBA
------
GOO...
GOO...
GOO...
GOO...
FOUL...FREEEEEETHHHHHRROOOOOOWWWWWWWWW!

MLS
-----

Just a bunch of washed up EPL stars and useless Americans, isn't it? And Mark Geiger is a lousy ref. You should really make it a GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLL to watch Liga MX instead. You can even root for Club América if you like.
posted by eriko at 10:06 AM on January 19, 2016 [9 favorites]

Univision and ABC are now in the process of unraveling their joint venture in Fusion, which will remain in Miami as part of Univision. And Univision, which is privately held, is now weighing an initial public offering...

i suspect felix salmon :P
posted by kliuless at 10:10 AM on January 19, 2016

I can't believe the fish thing was so long ago. I think about Yu Wan Mei's entire catalog of delicious fish-based derivatives every morning feeding my cat.
posted by bleep at 10:17 AM on January 19, 2016 [4 favorites]

Is this going to be a "yay, the AV Club should be safe now" kind of buyout, or a "NOOOO I'M STILL REELING FROM LOSING THE DISSOLVE" kind of buyout?
posted by trackofalljades at 10:21 AM on January 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

huh, more on fusion's 'media strategy': "the social impact engine for the new millennial media company..."
posted by kliuless at 10:26 AM on January 19, 2016

She added, "I am so glad there was no truth to the rumors."
posted by infinitewindow at 10:33 AM on January 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

Mod note: Several comments deleted. Let's rewind and maybe skip having an is-it-or-ain't-it derail about Israel based on one person's tweet about one article in the Onion?
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 11:13 AM on January 19, 2016

Como?
posted by buzzman at 11:18 AM on January 19, 2016

The fact that The Onion's front page hasn't been updated to poke fun at this story basically tells you everything you need to know about where the paper is headed.

.
posted by schmod at 1:42 PM on January 19, 2016 [6 favorites]

No comment yet from Publisher Emeritus T. Herman Cebolla.
posted by Wolfdog at 2:00 PM on January 19, 2016

Huh, interesting. The Chris Gethard show is on Fusion TV now. It was a cable access (aka public access television) show out of New York, and they almost got picked up by Comedy Central, but that fell through. They just renewed for a second season on Fusion. I hope it all works out for them.

*disclaimer - I work for a public access television station, and I really like public access stuff, because I'm that weirdo who likes weirdo things, and also because it's my job.

"I love my job!" /killinger voice
posted by daq at 2:57 PM on January 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

(Simpsons reference)
posted by Potomac Avenue at 4:04 PM on January 19, 2016

Univisión se come La Cebolla cruda. A continuación, flatulencias y cagalera.
posted by abakua at 4:07 AM on January 20, 2016