MIAMI – Mexican singer and actress Maite Perroni is the godmother of tlNovelas, the new Univision television channel dedicated to broadcasting the public’s favorite soap operas from the past.

The new channel, which is already available exclusively for users of the DishLatino satellite TV service, resurrects classic soaps, including “Esmeralda” and “Rosa salvaje,” in their original versions. In addition, it offers an interactive online space where TV viewers can explore the issues handled in the shows and exchange ideas about the productions.

“It’s marvelous that those soap operas of the past, which even I myself did not have the chance to see when they were broadcast, like ‘Huracan,’ with Angelica Rivera and Eduardo Palomo, now can be enjoyed in their original version,” Perroni told Efe.

Perroni made her debut as an actress in 2005 in “Rebelde,” one of the most successful soaps on Mexican TV.

The artist said that the evolution of the classic romantic novel, which now explores more realistic – and even at times violent – themes, including crime and drug trafficking, is something very necessary, given that it modernizes the genre and makes it relevant for the younger generations.

“Every day the soaps touch on more important issues, without forgetting the romance. That evolution is something that we’re going to continue seeing in this new space,” she said.

She also said she believes that this realism is also drawing men as viewers and she added that soap operas are no longer an exclusively feminine pastime.

“There are many men who watch them, although some deny it. They sit down to watch them with their wives and they become captured,” she said.

Another aspect of tlNovelas that Perroni likes is its interactive element. In addition to its own Web site, the channel has a space in the forums dedicated to the Univision soaps, a Facebook page and a Twitter account.

“I think it’s marvelous that the channel has interactive spaces because these allow women to learn more about many of the issues that are dealt with in the soaps, like rape or domestic abuse, but also it gives them the chance to discuss and to connect with each other,” she said.

But above and beyond that, Perroni sees one aspect of tlNovelas that is very special. According to the former RBD vocalist and star of production s like “Cuidado con el angel” and “El triunfo del amor,” the new channel allows TV viewers to reconnect not only with their favorite stories, but also with a very important part of their past.

“They will be able to relive periods in their life with soaps that they saw 20 years ago. They will be able to recall at what phase of their life they were at that time and watch those stories with new eyes,” she said. EFE