Discovery U.S. Hispanic networks announce 2013-2014 Upfront slate

USA - English

• Latin America - español

NEW YORK, May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Discovery U.S. Hispanic unveiled its 2013-2014 Upfront slate where Discovery en Espanol highlights new and returning series that set the brand apart within the adrenaline and wild discovery genres, brings in new favorite real life drama shows and focuses on viewers' key passion points: soccer and cars.  Female oriented network Discovery en Familia will focus on health and parenting content as well as building thematic nights to support the network's key genres.

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Discovery U.S. Hispanic enters this year's Upfront season with strong and consistent ratings performance.  The flagship network, Discovery en Espanol, grew +18% (vs 2011)ⁱ. This year, the network obtained its fifth consecutive quarter with year-over-year growth; was positioned as the #1 Hispanic pay TV net on Sundays during prime time among its target audienceⁱⁱ; and continued its leadership role as the 2nd highest-rated Hispanic pay TV channel among its core targets of Hispanic Persons and Men 18-49, a position it has held for over four yearsⁱⁱⁱ.  Discovery Familia obtained record-setting performance results as well: growing 144% versus 1Q12 among Hispanic Persons 18-49 during prime time 7-11pm^iv; increased its viewership 100% among its core target of Hispanic Women 18-49 during prime time 7-11pm^v and 31% during total day 9am-12am^vi.

"Our U.S. Hispanic networks offer the best of Discovery, which resonates well with the Spanish-language Hispanic community and allows us to continue to grow across all major demos of this key demographic," said Ivan Bargueiras, General Manager, Discovery U.S. Hispanic's networks.  "Based on our proven success, we are strengthening our programming slate with new series based on our viewers' well-known passions and preferences, along with returning favorites that support our traditional quality content," he added.

Building on its record-breaking momentum, Discovery U.S. Hispanic announced its 2013-2014 Upfront slate. Discovery en Espanol highlighted new series such as the adrenaline stories portrayed in Bear Grylls: escapando del infierno (Bear Grylls: Escape from Hell) and real life drama shows such as Prohibido (Forbidden) and La verdad increible (The Unbelievable Truth).  Focusing on soccer, one of Discovery en Espanol's viewers' passion points, the network introduced shows which include Armando el Mundial (Building the World Cup) and the second season of its original production, Acceso Exclusivo: Los Tuzos del Pachuca. To address another of its audience key passion points, the network also announced the launch of a new genre, VROOM, with programs targeting car-lovers such as El duo mecanico (Fast N' Loud) and Aventura 4x4 T2 (One Car Too Far S2). To continue with the tradition of offering shows that set the Discovery en Espanol brand apart, the channel will offer outstanding documentaries based on wild life such as Mundo Profundo (Underworld) and Africa, as well as original productions currently in development such as docu-reality series El Rey del Low Rider and Texas Chrome.

Positioned among the top Hispanic cable nets reaching W18-49, Discovery Familia is enhancing its health content offering with new shows such as Limpieza obsesiva (Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners), Comida curativa (Food Hospital) and daily one-minute health tips by talent host Dr. Selene Velasco, as well as its parenting programming with new series such as Jo Frost al rescate (Family SOS with Jo Frost) and Embarazo secreto T2 (Secretly Pregnant S2). The network also introduced key thematic nights to support crucial genres such as beauty and the home, where the network will premiere series such as La bella y la bestia (Beauty and the Beast) and Locos por la casa (Mad About the House). Finally, as the leading Hispanic network among kids 2 to 5, the children's programming block will offer new outstanding shows such as Matemonstruos (Monster Math Squad) and returning successful titles such as Rob el robot T2 (Rob the Robot S2).

See the highlights of Discovery U.S. Hispanic networks' 2013-14 upcoming programming @ http://www.discovery-upfront.com

About Discovery U.S. Hispanic
Discovery U.S. Hispanic includes the Discovery en Espanol and Discovery Familia networks. Discovery en Espanol, providing Hispanic audiences with the best content from the portfolio of top networks from Discovery Communications, launched in 1998 as one of the first US Hispanic pay TV networks in response to the growing demand for Spanish-language programming in the United States. Today, Discovery en Espanol is the 2nd highest rated Hispanic pay-TV channel in prime time, distributed on 100 % of US. Hispanic digital tiers nationwide. Discovery Familia is the first U.S. network developed to attract the coveted audience of highly-engaged Hispanic moms and their preschool age children.

ⁱ Source: Nielsen NPHM Live+SD, Monday to Sunday, as dated.
ⁱⁱ Source: Nielsen NHIH, Live +SD, Hispanic Pay TV, 1Q2013 Sunday's, 7pm-11pm, A18-49.
ⁱⁱⁱ Source: Nielsen NHIH, Live +SD, Hispanic Pay TV, 2009 to 1Q2013, Monday to Sunday, 7pm-11pm, A18-49 and M18-49.
^iv Source: Nielsen NHIH, Live + SD, Discovery Familia, 1Q2013 vs. 1Q2012, Mon-Sun, 7pm-11pm, A18-49.
^v Source: Nielsen NHIH, Live +SD, Discovery Familia, 1Q2013 vs. 1Q2012, Mon-Sun, 7pm-11pm, W18-49.
^vi Source: Nielsen NHIH, Live +SD, Discovery Familia, 1Q2013 vs. 1Q2012, Mon-Sun, 9am-12am, W18-49.

SOURCE Discovery U.S. Hispanic