ESPN Deportes Unveils New Initiatives for 2012-2013

USA - English

• USA - English

NEW YORK, May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ESPN Deportes enters the 2012-2013 Upfront Season, unveiling new programming and multimedia initiatives that include the launch of an innovative digital destination, new soccer programming, two original news and information studio shows, more original programming, and new Miami studios. The network will introduce each of these initiatives during an evening event tonight in New York City.

Digital Destination: ESPN Deportes+ por ESPN3

ESPN Deportes will launch ESPN Deportes+ por ESPN3, a digital vertical available on ESPN3, the company's live multi-screen sports network. ESPN Deportes+ will provide the most comprehensive offering of live sports in Spanish on a multi-screen network available on computers, smartphones, tablets and Xbox. The new platform is set to launch later this year.

ESPN Deportes+ will become an extension of ESPN Deportes Television, offering an additional, exclusive Spanish-language programming lineup of more than 200 sports events that would otherwise not have been shown on television. ESPN Deportes+ will be a viable destination, reaching approximately 7.7 million Hispanic households.

Programming lineup includes: Barclay's Premier League, International soccer friendlies, World Cup Qualifiers, Winter Baseball from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, college football, college basketball, tennis and much more.

Futbol Every Day of the Week: ESPN Deportes increases number of live matches

UEFA Europa League

This September, ESPN Deportes becomes the exclusive Spanish-language TV home of the UEFA Europa League in the U.S.  For the next three seasons, ESPN Deportes will air more than 60 matches per season, along with complementary news and information studio programming.

Previously called the UEFA Cup, the UEFA Europa League is one of the most prestigious club soccer tournaments in the world. The tournament brings together clubs that qualify based on their performance in national leagues and cup competitions. Some of the most notable clubs that have participated include: Manchester City, Manchester United, Juventus, Lazio, Sevilla, Atletico de Madrid, Valencia, PSV Eindhoven, among others.

Road to World Cup: World Cup qualifying matches & international friendlies

ESPN Deportes will air close to 80 select qualifiers and international friendlies. Both friendlies and qualifiers will feature favorites from around the world, including current World Cup Champion, Spain.

Brazilian Soccer: the Campeonato Brasileiro and the Campeonato Paulista

ESPN Deportes will continue to broadcast select matches of two top Brazilian soccer properties on the weekends. The Campeonato Brasileiro is a professional soccer league at the top of the Brazilian football league; the season runs from May to December. The Campeonato Paulista is the top-flight professional soccer league in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo; the season runs annually January to May.

More News and Information:

Social Media meets Prime-Time: Redes #ESPN

Redes #ESPN focuses on current sports topics and conversations trending in the social media space.  Hosted by Carolina Guillen, a veteran ESPN Deportes' commentator, the show will feature global opinion and analysis from ESPN experts around the world. 

Raza Deportiva: ESPN Deportes Morning Radio Show Debuts TV Simulcast

Known for its lively debate and analysis of global soccer, Raza Deportiva makes its TV debut on ESPN Deportes, becoming the network's first live morning show.  Raza Deportiva joins hosts from three cities: legendary sportscaster David Faitelson and soccer expert Rafa Ramos in Los Angeles; Elmer Polanco and Omar Orlando Salazar in Miami; and Oscar Restrepo in Colombia. The show airs Monday to Friday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm ET.

Original Content

El Bar

A series of ten 30-minute specials that brings together the worlds of sport and entertainment.  Set from different bars around the country and ESPN's studios in Los Angeles, each show will be hosted by an ESPN expert and will feature two special guests: a sports personality and an entertainment star. With an intimate and relaxed environment, the show will be focused on stories, anecdotes and lighthearted discussions, making the viewer feel they are part of the conversation.

Capitales del Futbol

Capitales del Futbol are documentary-style profiles of some of the greatest soccer destinations in the world. With a strong focus on cinematography and an "in-person" feel, Capitales del Futbol uses player interviews, testimony from journalists, coaches and fans to showcase the relationship between the cities and the classic derbies that identify them as soccer meccas.

Born and Raised

Born and Raised is ESPNDeportes.com's first original digital series. The shorts feature the world of sports through the eyes of Chuey Martinez, a quintessential Angelino and celebrated radio and DJ personality. Born and Raised focuses topics culturally relevant to young, bilingual Hispanic sports fans.  In addition to ESPNDeportes.com, Born and Raised will also appear from time to time on the front page of ESPN.com, and occasionally on the ESPN and ESPN2 television networks.

Miami Studio Expansion

ESPN Deportes' enhanced and expanded studio in Miami includes not only a spectacular view of the Miami skyline and the new Marlins Ballpark, but will also enable the production of HD, state-of-the-art cross-platform content for the U.S. Hispanic fan.  The facility's upgrades also include a new look for Jorge Ramos y Su Banda, ESPN Deportes' signature soccer talk show, and simulcast each afternoon on radio and TV.

ESPN Deportes Radio

Soon to launch in New York, ESPN Deportes Radio will be available in the Top ten U.S. Hispanic markets, reaching almost 80% of the U.S. Hispanic population. With its 42 affiliates, the radio network will continue offering the most comprehensive offering of live sports available on all U.S. Spanish-language media including: Mexican soccer, Copa Libertadores, CONCACAF Champions League, CONMEBOL South American World Cup Qualifiers, MLS, MLB, Copa Sudamericana, U.S. Soccer National Team's major friendlies and the home FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifying matches, and the upcoming Euro2012, among many others.

SOURCE ESPN Deportes