Villa Alegre

Villa Alegre was a children's television show and the first national bilingual program in the United States. It was produced by Bilingual Children's Television as its inaugural project on the company's founding in 1970. Villa Alegre debuted on Public Broadcasting Service public television in 1973 and ran there until funding disputes ended the project in 1980. The show was also seen in syndication on commercial stations in some markets, on at least a weekly basis. Villa Alegre was the creation of Dr. Rene Cardenas, who served as president of Bilingual Children's Television and Executive Producer. Other producers included Moctesuma Esparza, who worked on only the first season, and David Ochoa. The show won a Peabody Award among other honors.