Growing Spanish TV Network Takes Another Big Step Towards National Coverage; LAT TVTM Expands From Five Stations in Texas and Arizona to 22 Other Cities

Posted on: April 10th, 2007
Filed Under: [ Hispanic News ] [ Media ] [ Press Releases ]
Tags: family, Fort Worth, Nielsen, population
Knowledge is Power!

“LatinAmerica Broadcasting Inc. a general entertainment Spanish language broadcaster located in Houston, Texas, announced today it has entered into an affiliate agreement with Equity Media Holdings, Corporation, headquartered in Little Rock, to launch its widely appealing content in 22 additional markets increasing its geographic coverage across the U.S. This move brings LAT TV(TM) closer to its goal of becoming a full broadcast network reaching 70% of the Nielsen DMA coverage within the next two years. Under FCC definitions, LAT TV(TM) is considered a network as it offers an interconnected program service on a regular basis for 15 or more hours per week to at least 25 of its affiliated television licensees in 10 or more States.

LAT TV(TM) debuted on May 19, 2006 in Houston (KCVH-30), Dallas/Fort Worth (KJJM-34), Phoenix (KVPA-42), Austin (KVAT-17) and San Antonio (KISA-40) — four of which are in the top ten Hispanic designated market areas (DMA) — serving 5.2 million Hispanics and 17.4 percent of the U.S. Latino population ages 18-49.

On May 30th, LAT TV(TM) launch cities include Atlanta, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Denver, Seattle and Portland as well as certain parts of California and Florida. “Three years ago we set out to build a new Hispanic network knowing that we would need to partner with groups like Equity Media Holdings,” says Rocky Springstead CEO and President. “We are pleased to be doing business with a group that will assist us with the growth of our network as we extend our brand across the country.”

LAT TV(TM) provides a compelling addition to the current Hispanic broadcasting landscape and expects to reach 40% Nielsen coverage by early 2008. With the initial five stations, launched in May ‘06 and the additional 22-market expansion, LAT TV(TM) is positioned to become the 4th largest Hispanic TV broadcasting group in terms of DMA coverage in less than two years.

LAT TV’s(TM) rapid growth stems from several key factors: an experienced management team, an emphasis on consistent programming, and a lean and efficient cost structure.

The company has built an infrastructure with a network operations center in Houston that includes state of the art systems to manage traffic and sales across the network. To date, the company has successfully gained cable carriage in three of its markets — San Antonio and Austin on Grande Communications and in Phoenix on Qwest Communications — and plans to be on cable in all five of the original markets by summer 2007.

The Company is developing marketing and sales campaigns with cable and satellite operators that build local subscriptions and viewers in the process. “Our business model is built upon increasing viewers’ mind share through their association with LAT TV(TM) creating a very pleasant and enjoyable experience,” states Springstead.

LAT TV’s(TM) infrastructure has been built upon a solid foundation of cooperation and partnership with its content suppliers, advertisers and signal distributors. Larry Morton, Chairman and CEO and President of Equity Media Holdings, Corp., says, “Equity Media Holdings is pleased to have LatinAmerica Broadcasting Inc. LAT TV(TM) join our broadcast family as they bring programming that viewers will want to welcome into their homes.”

LAT TV(TM) offers viewers fresh Spanish language programming that addresses the changing and growing Hispanic market of the United States. Springstead emphasizes, “This is a very large market for us to address and serve. LAT TV(TM) offers content that is appealing to all Hispanic/Latinos living in the U.S. We believe that our rapid growth and recent success is a testament to our partnering strategy and our willingness to think outside the box.”

LAT TV(TM) currently has 65 employees, with 35 located in sales offices in the 5 markets, and 30 located in the Houston headquarters and network operations center.

LatinAmerica Broadcasting Inc.”