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First tweeted by Al Rojo Vivo's Maria Celeste, and now confirmed by the man himself, Walter Mercado announced that he and Univision have parted ways after fifteen years. A sign of the apocalypse? Actually, this has been a long time coming. It seems the trouble started way back in the mid 90's when Mercado signed a deal with Florida manager Guillermo Bakula to promote his brand in the United States. Part of his contractual obligation was to shoot segments to be aired on Univision. He also, apparently, signed all the rights to his image away. In return, Walter was to receive $32,000 a month for clothing. Those robes ain't free, girl.
For some reason, maybe insanity, maybe the fact that Walter realized he'd accidentally signed himself into indentured servitude, (Walter's lawyer Carlos A. Velasquez told Daily Business Review that Bakula's company, Bart Enterprises, considered the contract to be never-ending.), Walter didn't fulfill all his duties, so Bakula sued him for about 10 million dollars. The suit was settled in February of last year in an unprecedented decision by a federal jury that declared Mercado guilty of breaking his contract, but not guilty of causing any damages to Bakula and therefore not required to pay him any money.
“This guy made a lot of money with Walter,” Velasquez said, “The jury thought, ‘What are we going to do? Have Walter pay him more money?’ It didn’t make any sense.”
Bakula made that money because, with the rights to Walter's image, he was able to found over a dozen businesses in Walter's name. Businesses like WalterMercado.net which, Walter says, have nothing to do with him.
After the suit, Walter continued to shoot the segment for Univision without a contract. “He didn’t get paid for a year and a half,” his attorney told the magazine. “But he felt it was important for him and Univision to perform on the show.”
So, this is why Walter cryptically told Primera Hora this week that:
Why Walter Mercado Is Off Univision
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First tweeted by Al Rojo Vivo's Maria Celeste, and now confirmed by the man himself, Walter Mercado announced that he and Univision have parted ways after fifteen years. A sign of the apocalypse? Actually, this has been a long time coming. It seems the trouble started way back in the mid 90's when Mercado signed a deal with Florida manager Guillermo Bakula to promote his brand in the United States. Part of his contractual obligation was to shoot segments to be aired on Univision. He also, apparently, signed all the rights to his image away. In return, Walter was to receive $32,000 a month for clothing. Those robes ain't free, girl.
For some reason, maybe insanity, maybe the fact that Walter realized he'd accidentally signed himself into indentured servitude, (Walter's lawyer Carlos A. Velasquez told Daily Business Review that Bakula's company, Bart Enterprises, considered the contract to be never-ending.), Walter didn't fulfill all his duties, so Bakula sued him for about 10 million dollars. The suit was settled in February of last year in an unprecedented decision by a federal jury that declared Mercado guilty of breaking his contract, but not guilty of causing any damages to Bakula and therefore not required to pay him any money.
“This guy made a lot of money with Walter,” Velasquez said, “The jury thought, ‘What are we going to do? Have Walter pay him more money?’ It didn’t make any sense.”
Bakula made that money because, with the rights to Walter's image, he was able to found over a dozen businesses in Walter's name. Businesses like WalterMercado.net which, Walter says, have nothing to do with him.
After the suit, Walter continued to shoot the segment for Univision without a contract. “He didn’t get paid for a year and a half,” his attorney told the magazine. “But he felt it was important for him and Univision to perform on the show.”
So, this is why Walter cryptically told Primera Hora this week that:
I have legal problems with a former manager of mine, who runs a number of fraudulent commercials using my name without rights, and they (Univision) wanted me to ignore them even though the advertisements feature a photograph I took five years ago and have nothing to do with me. I can not fool my audience and so I decided to say goodbye.If Univision is making money off those fraudulent television ads--because, where else would you run ads for WalterMercado.net?--and meanwhile, Walter isn't getting paid for his tapings, it sounds like everyone was getting paid but Walter. We don't blame him for leaving. For his part, Walter is thrilled to be unshackled. We can't wait till Telemundo picks his ass up. Meanwhiles, Walter, since you are not averse to meager wages, you're welcome here!
What do you think?
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Comments
Wait, that's a guy?
Replyit's walter mercado. you don't know the wonder that is walter mercado?
Reply"the wonder that is Walter Mercado" made me giggle:) My tia always swore that he was a woman in drag!
ReplyI had to giggle a little bit when he said, "I cannot fool my audience ."
Replyyes, the irony of a television psychic accusing anyone of being fraudulent is not lost on me.
ReplySo sad. who is going to tell me my daily horoscope on First Impact? I live by his words.
ReplyI miss watching Walter Mercado that's the reson we saw Univision. We hope he cames back on tv.
ReplyUnivision was showing Walter Mercado on Primer Impacto at 5:00am or midnight in Puerto Rico. That was waaaaaay too early/late for mi mama to get her daily horoscopo. I luv the campy cape and his gestures. No one gives a horoscope like he does LOL.
ReplyHe did the most dramatic camera switch turns. I loved it.
ReplyMy grandmother is going to kill someone for this fuckery. Heads will roll!
ReplyEn mi caso es lo mismo.Sus predicciones son acertadas, nunca ha fallado, a veces da miedo su exactitud. Lastima que muchos se pierdan esta experiencia gastando energia en juzgarlo, cuanto bien les ayudaria oirlo. El era la unica razon de ver Primer Impacto.
ReplyIn my case it is the same. His predictions are accurate, he has never failed... sometimes scares us. It is a pity that some waste their energy in judging him, how much those people could benefit if just listen him once.
ReplyIf Maria Celeste pull her strings she can give us Walter again.
Replywow! didn't know this guy had a big following. I didn't think there would be this many educated fools who believe in stupidities. lol.
ReplyWe really miss Walter and his horoscopes in Carmel, California. And we don't even speak Spanish but understand and enjoy his few minutes of dramatic forecasting. Patrick
ReplyI love walter I use to record primer inpaco mon thru fri. Just to listen To walter he was the in primer inpacto
Replyi guess theres going to be a lot of people not watching premier impacto any more i only watched it cause of walter we all miss him in our house hold and hope he goes to telemundo with maria celeste on al rojo vivo
ReplyWalter Mercado was part of my family life, I'm lost without his guidance. Please Maria Celeste try to bring him into your program. Thank you.
ReplyI will never ever watch" Primer Impacto" again. taken Walter's program off the air without explaining why...? that's was an insult to the viewers
ReplyWe has a vast knowledge of THE ASTROLOGY, and he knew what he was talking about.
ReplyThe station has noithing to offer, Walter was the reason people watched. I hope they give the people another chance to see him again...!
ReplyHe studied Astrology and speak the Spanish very well, unlike others in there that mis used words and use like 'DISCAPACITADOS ' INSTEAD OF INCAPACITADOS. READ A BOOK IN SPANISH BEFORE YOU GO IN THE AIR.
ReplyLa vulgaridad de algunos programas en espanol , me hacen cambiar de estacion cuando mis hijos estan presentes.de verdad dan asco.
ReplyYes he is a guy a very intelligent person and highly educated in the knowledge of Astrology and speak the Spanish very well. No more Primer Impacto for me and my neighboors.
ReplyI can haz Walter?
ReplyI'm going to watch Maria Celeste, she is a pleasure to see and hear with the beautiful fluency in Spanish and presence.
ReplyWalter Mercado era el motivo por el cual yo veia primer impacto es una pena que El no este mas en la cadena es una gran perdida para los televidentes que nos gustaba escuchar el horoscopo muy acertado por cierto.
ReplyWalter always says God first and if you believe in Him , with faith your wishes will be granted, He never said that he had any power, on the contrary he repeat over and over that only God has the answer.
Replyi dont speak spanish but i wish i did so that i could watch him on the latio tv network and yes , i truely believe he is a very intelligent man, very gifted. If anyone has a address were to write to mr.walter mercado please post it.
ReplyWithout Walter, Primer Impacto is caput! Walter was like a "Shining Light" and now we (viewers) are in the dark. Shame on you people who are responsible for his exit. And to Walter, our prayers are with you, may your journey be prosperous and full of joy for you and those around you.
ReplyWalter Mercado used to be a soap operas' first actor. He was very handsome and always had the most beautiful actresses as counterparts. One day disappeared from the puertorican tv and when re-appeared have had several plastic surgeries (which he continues to have) to the point that he does not look like his old self anymore and rather looks like a fat old woman. Anyway, every nut with his own "nuts", this is a free country and everyone is entitled to do whatever wants with his life as long he does not cross his neighbors' rights. Live and let live. Peace
ReplyI've had dealings with Walter Mercado's former management and, at the time, thought them rather shady. It was this very same management that booked Mercado to be the spokesman for what later turned out to be a Ponzi scheme -- a scam by which management profited and for which Mercado took the fall, although he was a victim himself. By contrast, Walter is an honest, friendly, caring, trusting person; and, perhaps, too trusting, in light of what's happened. It's truly sad that this has befallen him, and it's even sadder that such sharks are allowed to remain in business and/or are found to have not broken any laws themselves, simply because the wording of their ruthless instruments of deception and thievery are by-the-book.
Replyshady? walter mercado is a old lady looking, greedy, thankless puke! the shark u r referring to resurected walter's career. the ponzi scheme was wallies doing....u call him honest? how many readings have u paid him for? " simply because the wording of their ruthless instruments of deception and thievery are by-the-book"....and u the mental midget!
ReplyI agree when I notice he was not on the air anymore I stop watching primer impacto... the point was to see him...
Replyy si solo el era razon que vea primer impacto ahora .. ya no perdieron un buen astrologo
ReplyDo not blame Walter he just the entertainer, if it was not for him this deceptive management company that decieved Walter in this one way contract would have never resurected or succeeded. Too bad.
ReplyFor those who know Walter Mercado: He was a prestigeous and well recognized ballet dancer in his prime. He was always involved in the occult, the supernatural, and astrology. I believe, according to my mom, he left dancing because of injuries. Walter, of course, became very famous with his teachings in the realm of Astrology thereafter to this day. He's a good man with a kind heart. He's pretty real.
ReplyWalter Mercado was part of my family life, IOm lost without his guidance. Please Maria Celeste try to bring him into your program. Thank you.
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