Spanish Broadcasting System Launches New U.S. Hispanic Television Channel
02 March 2006 - 12:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
Mega TV Channel 22 Will Leverage SBS Proprietary Content to Fuel
Growth COCONUT GROVE, Fla., March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Spanish
Broadcasting System, Inc. ("SBS"; Nasdaq: SBSA) today announced the
launch of Mega TV Channel 22 (WSBS-TV), the Company's television
debut in the South Florida market. Mega TV will showcase a rich
programming lineup featuring televised versions of some of Miami's
top radio shows, a daring debate show, dance and music contests,
reality and entertainment shows and an interactive spy game show,
to name but a few of the genres that will begin airing this week.
"The launch of Mega TV reflects our long term vision of creating
multiple branded entertainment channels that will further unlock
the substantial value of our proprietary content," said Raul
Alarcon, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SBS. "This
content consistently generates substantial audience shares in the
nation's largest Hispanic markets. When combined with several fresh
and engaging new shows, we are certain Mega TV is an ideal platform
in which to extend our winning brands." SBS credits part of its
success as an entertainment leader to its long-standing
relationships with some of the top artists and entertainers in the
Hispanic market, which it hopes to leverage in its expansion into
television. "SBS has enjoyed the incredible support of the
country's top Hispanic musical talent, record labels, promoters and
business partners for many years," added Alarcon. A private launch
party in honor of the on-air talent, artists, celebrities and
industry veterans that have assisted SBS throughout its
twenty-three year history has been scheduled for March 4th. "Mega
TV provides an opportunity for SBS to revolutionize the U.S.
Hispanic television industry by delivering fresh content that is
relevant and reflective of the modern-day Hispanic TV viewer," said
Cynthia Hudson Fernandez, Executive Vice President and Chief
Creative Officer for SBS. "Our target audience consists of U.S.
Hispanics, aged 18 to 49, with entertainment tastes that are
contemporary and varied yet share a common Latino cultural
expression." Along with Mega TV, Ms. Hudson will also oversee the
rebranding and expansion of the SBS New Media unit, which currently
includes over a dozen local radio station Web sites as well as its
main portal, http://www.lamusica.com/ and the newly inaugurated
http://www.mega.tv/. The intention is to position SBS as a
multimedia powerhouse with strategic holdings in radio, television,
the internet, concert promotion and the creation, production and
distribution of branded entertainment. Mega TV Program Highlights:
El Vacilon: The #1 radio show in Miami is the inspiration for this
hilarious comedy half-hour where Enrique Santos and Joe Ferrero
bring their raucous brand of humor, which has racked up
unprecedented ratings, to TV. Comedy, irreverence, creativity and a
fresh production style will make "El Vacilon" a favorite in Miami.
Enrique and Joe will surprise us with sketches, parodies,
hidden-camera pranks and other surprise segments that will leave
viewers begging for more! Mon-Thurs 9:30 p.m. Zona Cero: Few
phenomena are as surprising and intense as Javier Ceriani and Omar
Moynelo as evidenced by their radio show, part of the SBS one-two
punch on Miami mornings. Omar's magnetic personality and
intelligence have made him one of the most respected radio and
television personalities in Miami. Javier is one of the
best-informed entertainment critics and his caustic comments never
fail to delight the audience. Together they will present an hour
full of news, interviews, skits and unscripted situations that
could only happen on "Zona Cero." Mon-Fri 10:00 p.m. El NotiCero:
Presented as a short daily segment within "Zona Cero" every
weekday, this tongue-in-cheek newscast will also be a full half
hour weekend program. "El NotiCero" will present the "real" truth
the other newscasts are too afraid to report, reminding us that
fact is often a lot funnier than fiction! Sun 7:30 p.m.
LaMusica.com: "LaMusica.com" will showcase celebrity gossip,
entertainment news, movie premieres and more. Anything and
everything in the world of music and entertainment will be featured
on "LaMusica.com," including interviews with artists and
celebrities. Woven into every aspect of the program is a focused,
yet unobtrusive, product integration strategy allowing sponsors to
place their products and logos in full view of this young, hip,
early adopter audience. Mon-Fri 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Polos Opuestos:
Renowned Hispanic journalist Maria Elvira Salazar is back with her
own signature show and a MEGA TV original production. "Polos
Opuestos" is a hybrid debate/game show highlighting opposing
viewpoints on today's controversial issues and events. Multiple
Emmy award-winning journalist Salazar will tackle those polemic and
divisive issues that her colleagues dare not expose. Her original
format consists of two opposing three-member expert panels
attempting to convince the audience of the validity of their point
of view. The audience votes for the "winning" panel and determines
the awarding of a cash prize. Starts April 3rd. Dimelo Bailando:
The dance contest takes center stage as we witness local couples
vying for the crown as South Florida's top dancers. "Dimelo
Bailando" is about passion, skill, rhythm and the desire (and
talent!) to be the very best. Each week 10 couples start
elimination trials until only one remains as the pulse-pounding
competition reaches its zenith during finals. The final week brings
all the champions back for a tournament that's bound to have
everyone on the edge of their seats wondering who will win the
ultimate prize! Alternating weekdays at 10:00 p.m. Oye Mi Canto: A
talent competition open to anyone wishing to express their passion
for singing and music. At the beginning of each show, our
talent-hunters will search the city, looking for contestants. The
star "wannabes" chosen for the show will be taken to a nearby
stage, where each one will sing "karaoke" style in front of a live
audience and three very opinionated judges. Alternating weekdays at
10:00 p.m. 22 Minutos: In just twenty two minutes, counted down on
screen, Claudia G will take you places that will mystify while
introducing you to incredibly fascinating people. Some guests are
famous, some are not, but all of them are, in a word, mesmerizing.
On "22 Minutos" you will travel to some of the most unusual places
and events imaginable. Claudia G may be in the Florida Everglades
feeding an albino alligator one day and in Hollywood the next
covering a TV executive who left the hustle and bustle behind to
become a Buddhist monk. Mon-Fri 7:30 p.m. El Circulo: Once a week
El Nuevo Herald's society editor Ana Remos highlights the hottest
parties, the most extravagant homes, private planes, yachts,
boutiques and extracurricular hobbies of South Florida's social
scene. Filmed on location at some of the region's most exclusive
sites, "El Circulo" will also introduce the viewer to Miami's
glitterati as they take us through a tour of their world and show
us what it's like to part of the "in-crowd." Tues 9:00 p.m. Puerta
Astral: Mauricio Puerta is unlike any astrologer you've ever met.
He skips the costumes and long flowing robes, opting instead for a
business suit. Breaking further with tradition, Mr. Puerta does not
believe in horoscopes! He says that only a detailed astrological
chart tailored for a specific situation or person can be truly
effective, and his clients run the gamut from heads of state to
international jet-set celebrities. Now he brings his unique talents
to Mega TV in "Puerta Astral." Thurs 9:00 p.m. Entre Fichas: In the
Latino and, especially, in the Cuban home, "Dominoes" means a lot
more than just a game. Passion, strategy, pride and lively
conversation are some of the many aspects of an exciting ritual
that unites generations and creates lifetime bonds. "Entre Fichas"
takes this exciting game and brings it to television in a format
similar to "World Series Poker" with commentary from experts,
play-by-play analysis, and all the fun and conversation that can
only happen around the classic domino table. Fri 9:00 p.m. Complot:
Spy vs. spy intrigue comes to your home as one of the most
innovative game shows on television! Four would-be spies try to
solve puzzles under the watchful eye of Agent Cero and his
beautiful lieutenant Sombra as they try to survive their first
assignment. But it won't be easy as Cero and Sombra put them
through the paces and viewers wait for clues that will allow them
to share in the winner's prize! If a viewer guesses the
contestant's identity via SMS phone messaging, he or she will
receive half the winnings! Starts April 1st. Mega Musicales: SBS is
music and Mega TV brings that legacy to television through "sold
out" concerts and "unplugged" events recorded live with some of the
biggest stars including Shakira, Daddy Yankee and others. Every
weekend, "Mega En Vivo" will highlight new performances, making
Mega TV the home of music, concerts and the best live shows from
around the world. Fri 8:00 p.m. About Spanish Broadcasting System,
Inc. Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. is the largest publicly
traded Hispanic- controlled media and entertainment company in the
United States. SBS owns and operates 20 radio stations located in
the top Hispanic markets of New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago,
San Francisco and Puerto Rico, including the #1 Spanish-language
radio station in America, WSKQ-FM in New York City, as well as 3 of
the Top 4 rated radio stations airing the Tropical, Regional
Mexican, Spanish Adult Contemporary and Hurban format genres and
the highest billing Latino-formatted stations in each of the three
largest U.S. Hispanic markets. The Company also produces live
concerts and events throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. On July
13, 2005 the Company announced the acquisition of WDLP- TV, a
full-power television station serving South Florida. The Company
also operates LaMusica.com, a bilingual Spanish-English online site
providing content related to Latin music, entertainment, news and
culture. The Company's corporate Web site can be accessed at
http://www.spanishbroadcasting.com/ DATASOURCE: Spanish
Broadcasting System, Inc. CONTACT: Ardi Dwornik of Spanish
Broadcasting System, Inc., +1-305-644-4800, ext. 405, Web site:
http://www.spanishbroadcasting.com/ http://www.lamusica.com/
http://www.mega.tv/
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