Comcast Launches 'Semillitas,' a Spanish Language Channel That Caters to Preschoolers

USA - English

• Latin America - español

MIRAMAR, Fla., Dec. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast's Florida East Coast Region, this area's leading provider of Hispanic programming, announced today the launch of "Semillitas" (Little Seeds), a TV channel devoted to the preservation of the Spanish language for preschoolers. "Semillitas" features children's programming that is entertaining, wholesome and free of any violence. The new channel is available as of December 15 in many South Florida communities through XFINITY'S MultiLatino service.

"As XFINITY TV rolls out through Miami-Dade, Broward and the Florida Keys, we will have the opportunity to add more programming that will be unique to the South Florida area," said Comcast's Regional Senior Vice President of the Florida East Coast Region, Filemon Lopez. "'Semillitas' audience is Hispanic preschoolers and will satisfy the wish many Hispanic parents have voiced; to provide more programming for their children."

The channel, which is produced and distributed by Miami-based SOMOSTV, fills a niche that provides programming for Hispanic children that allows them to grow in a bicultural environment, managing both the English and Spanish languages as well as preserving their Hispanic cultural identity. "Semillitas" offers state of the art animated series, narrated in a neutral Spanish accent, including a majority of content acquired from Latin America. This gives the channel a unique cultural focus by presenting music and traditions shared by most Hispanics.

The channel also has a relevant online presence with its interactive website (www.semillitas.tv) which includes its exclusive wire service "Notipeques" as an RSS feed.

By being a part of XFINITY'S Multilatino package, "Semillitas" will initially be available in some Miami-Dade communities (parts of Coral Gables, Doral, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Key Biscayne, Liberty City, Metro Miami, Miami Springs, Sweetwater, Unincorporated Hialeah, Unincorporated Sweetwater and Virginia Gardens) as well as others in Broward County (Coconut Creek, Cooper City, Dania Beach, Davie, Grand Palms, Hallandale Beach, parts of Hollywood, Lauderdale Lakes, parts of Lauderhill, Lauderhill, Margate, parts of Miramar, North Lauderdale, Parkland, Parkland Isles, parts of Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Sunrise, SW Ranches, Tamarac as well as some other unincorporated communities outside the county). "Semillitas" will be expanded as XFINITY TV rolls out to the rest of Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe Counties

Some programs on "Semillitas" have received awards by world renowned international organizations that endorse content for preschoolers and have been presented in European and Latin American countries.  In addition, the channel includes as part of its programming the prestigious "Little People®" animated entertainment series, anchored in themes that encourage early toddler discovery through the toy brand's beloved characters.  The Little People® brand, a premier toddler playset brand from Fisher-Price, Inc., celebrated its 50th anniversary last year and continues to delight children worldwide with its timeless toys.

Luis Villanueva, SOMOSTV's President and CEO, said he is excited to make "Semillitas" available to XFINITY TV communities throughout South Florida.

"It's very satisfying to offer support to Hispanic Parents by partnering with Comcast, as we reach out to teach our language and roots through wholesome programming geared for a very important and relevant segment of our population," said Villanueva.  "We are also excited to launch 'Semillitas' in our home base of Miami, one of this country's most influential Hispanic communities."  

Villanueva  points out that although Hispanics represent 17% of the total US population (percentage that will likely increase after the 2010 Census Report is published), children between the ages of 0 – 5 years represent 27% of that population segment, even surpassing 50% in several states (California, Texas, among others) and communities (such as Miami-Dade).

With the South Florida launch, "Semillitas" adds a key Hispanic market to their expansion.  The channel is also available in Chicago, Boston, Washington DC, New York City and Philadelphia, with launches early in 2011 in California and Puerto Rico.  There are plans to add more markets in the future.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communication products and services.  With 22.9 million video customers, 16.7 million high-speed Internet customers, and 8.4 million Comcast Digital Voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.

Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, 11 regional sports networks operated by Comcast Sports Group and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast's Internet businesses, including Comcast.net (www.comcast.net).  Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, which owns two professional sports teams, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, and a large, multipurpose arena in Philadelphia, the Wells Fargo Center, and, through Global Spectrum, manages other facilities for sporting events, concerts and other events.

Comcast's Florida East Coast Region, which is headquartered in Miramar, FL, staffs more than 4,000 employees and includes 7 counties along the east coast of Florida from Palm Bay to Key West.

About SOMOSTV.

SOMOSTV is a company devoted to the development and promotion of the growth of pay TV in the US Hispanic market and Puerto Rico, through the launch of TV channels and other transactional operations with all types of made for TV content in all platforms, with technical and creative excellence.

Media Contact: Spero Canton, Comcast PR Director/Florida East Coast Region

954-931-2906 (cell)/ 954-514-8620 (office)  [email protected]

SOURCE SOMOSTV