CNN Launches CNN Latino In The U.S.

MIAMI, Dec. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CNN en Espanol, the Spanish-language news network pay TV leader for the past 15 years in Latin America and the United States, will launch CNN Latino, a new Spanish language programming block custom made for the U.S. Hispanic market, it was announced today by Cynthia Hudson-Fernandez, Senior Vice President and General Manager of CNN en Espanol and Hispanic strategy for CNN/U.S. CNN Latino is a new brand extension that targets the growing and diverse U.S. Hispanic market, delivering a broad spectrum of programming that will cover news, lifestyle, documentary, talk and debate as an alternative to traditional Hispanic networks.

"The U.S. market is so diverse and so large that there is room for two distinctive content options," said Hudson. "There is a real demand for relevant, dynamic, quality programming and CNN Latino is a unique product designed specifically for the growing U.S. Hispanic audience, representing the dual reality of U.S. Latinos today who are multi-generational and proud to be bilingual. The launch of CNN Latino is the first step to bringing this syndicated programming block to local broadcast stations in key Hispanic media markets across the country."

CNN Latino will first launch in Los Angeles late January 2013, with a branded programming block of eight hours of customized content directed at the U.S. Hispanic audience. CNN Latino will broadcast in Los Angeles on KBEH-DT CHANNEL 63, which is owned by Hero Broadcasting, and can be seen throughout the Los Angeles area, reaching more than 14 million people.

KBEH-DT CHANNEL 63 will carry CNN Latino from 3pm-11pm (PT) and will include a locally produced debate show, along with unique lifestyle, documentary and talk programs and will engage with its audience through social media, local events and website.  CNN Latino and its affiliate stations will have their own dedicated section on the world-wide Spanish-language site http://www.cnnespanol.com/ www.cnnespanol.com.

"CNN Latino will be a unique television broadcast offering for a significant viewership in the U.S.," said Tony Maddox, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of CNN International.

"We are excited to be the flagship station for this new concept. The Los Angeles market is ready for CNN Latino, a news and entertainment destination that offers CNN-quality programming, and is accessible to a larger audience via KBEH's powerful broadcast signal," Robert Behar, President & CEO, Hero Broadcasting.

About CNN en Espanol:
Since 1997 CNN en Espanol, CNN's independently produced 24-hour network in Spanish, provides continuous news coverage of major world events, live breaking coverage supported by context and in-depth analysis, worldwide business and financial news, global weather updates, sports and feature programming on such topics as health, technology and entertainment. It is currently available in 30 million cable and DTH households throughout Latin America and 7 million households across the United States. In November 2011 www.cnnespanol.com was launched as part of a multi-platform strategy. In addition, the CNN en Espanol Radio reaches over 90 percent of US Hispanic households with its partnership with Stardome Networks and has radio affiliates all over Latin America. The CNN en Espanol Twitter and Facebook accounts have broken records and today are constituted as the number one and number two accounts respectively, of Spanish news in the world. The network currently has three distinct feeds for Mexico, the United States and Latin America. CNN Latino is CNN en Espanol's first foray in creating an alternative programming block for broadcast Spanish-language TV in the US Hispanic market.

About HERO BROADCASTING
Hero Broadcasting is a privately-held television affiliate station-group launched in 2007 by industry veteran Bob Behar. Headquarted in Miami, Florida the company owns full-power television stations KBEH-DT 63 in the #1 Hispanic market, Los Angeles, as well as full-power television station KMOH-DT 6 and low-power station KEJR-LD 41 in the #9 Hispanic market, Phoenix. The company is committed to serving the entertainment needs of Latinos, the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population. For more information visit www.herobroadcasting.com.

SOURCE CNN en Espanol