• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, June 9, 2009

ESPN's Hispanic-targeted network will begin casting this fall for a series that was a sensation on ESPN in 2004 before fizzling out. A second Spanish-language version of "Dream Job" will air on ESPN Deportes next spring, after contestants are chosen from a six-city casting tour beginning in October.

"Dream Job: El Reportero" will give a would-be Chris Berman or Mauricio Pedroza the chance to win a job as a regular contributor on ESPN Deportes' World Cup coverage next summer. Pedroza won the "Dream Job" competition on ESPN Deportes in 2006, and has remained at the network, now as an anchor on its version of "SportsCenter."

A representative from ESPN Deportes said two top-line advertisers have been signed for the competition show, but declined to name them. Each will have a presence starting with grassroots involvement during the casting process, and then extending onto the show.

Casting for the series will take place in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, San Diego and Miami. In addition to large Hispanic populations, the cities were chosen in part because ESPN Deportes' radio network has what it considers to be popular stations in each.

The stations will be heavily involved in promoting the casting process. The six winners from the respective cities will then compete on the show, with ESPN Deportes talent serving as judges. ESPN Deportes is in some 4.5 million Hispanic TV homes. A second "Dream Job: El Reportero" was announced at a 2008 ESPN Deportes upfront presentation.

The first edition of "Dream Job" on ESPN in early 2004 caused a frisson, with Mike Hall winning a one-year contract to work at ESPN. (Like Pedroza, he went on to have a lengthy stint at ESPN, notably on its ESPNU outlet.)

But a second "Dream Job" season later in 2004 lost some vitality. And a final season in early 2005 saw the winner become an NBA analyst on ESPN, before the show ended.