by: John Rodriguez
It comes as no surprise to hear that one of America’s strongest networks is joining forces with one of the Latin Community’s strongest network in order to create a channel aimed at Latino viewers come 2013. ABC News and Univision announced Monday morning their plan to launch a whole new channel, while no name or date was given, both networks stated their aim was to “deliver news content focused on issues, lifestyle interests and culture of importance,” to all members of the Latino community.
The channel’s targeted audience will be Latinos from English-dominant and Bilingual homes. Currently, the Latino population within the United States is estimated at 50 million, about 16% of the entire country. It is projected that by 2050 the percentage will rise to 30%. According to a joint statement the venture is “the first time Hispanic Americans will have a choice for coverage of current events and lifestyles with a Latino perspective in English.”
This isn’t the first sign of Latino-based media content becoming prominent within the United States. Currently, there are five telenovelas being shot in Miami with a reported $40 million dollars being spent by producers on production costs. The numbers of novelas and production costs have risen since 2009 with a reported $11.5 million being spent on telenovela production in 2009, according to the Miami-Dade Country Office of Film & Entertainment.
With a growing interest and demand for more telenovelas, Univision and Telemundo have increased production in South Florida this year noticing the appeal the drama serials have attracted from American marketing organizations and the growth of Latino audience members within the United States.
While the channel is not up and running yet, content that is expected to air on the network will be available through a website, mobile platforms, and other social media were journalists from both Univision and ABC News will contribute.
