• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, August 26, 2009

Univision is launching a Spanish-language musical talent competition August 30 that is loosely modeled on "American Idol." It promises lots of sequins and product-placement opportunities for advertisers.

The first season of the show, titled "Viva el Sueño" -- which can translate as both "Live the Dream" or "Long Live the Dream" -- includes 13 weekly episodes, featuring the dramatic judging, audience voting and booting off of lesser contestants that has made "American Idol" such a success.

A number of big advertiser brands will be integrated into the show, according to Ad Age -- including AT&T, Coca-Cola, Bud Light and State Farm -- through product placements facilitated by three celebrity judges (well-known Spanish-language radio DJs), 14 contestants and co-hosts Cristián de la Fuente and Carolina Guerra. AT&T will be especially prominent as the official sponsor of the audience text-to-vote service.

This isn't the first high-profile talent contest launched by Univision.

In 2008, the network scored a goal with "El Juego Supremo," an "Idol"-style competition for aspiring soccer stars. But the music competition may reach an even broader audience, as the five-episode sports-themed contest -- sponsored by Sprint and Nissan North America -- attracted more male than female viewers.

Both contests include contestants from the United States, Latin America, and Spain, giving the shows international appeal.