ABC Radio Networks Signs Exclusive Deal With Emmy(R) Award-Winning Broadcaster Maria Celeste Arraras

ABC Radio Networks Signs Exclusive Deal With Emmy(R) Award-Winning Broadcaster Maria Celeste Arraras

Crossover Hispanic Star's Daily, Short-Form Feature Program Reinforces National Syndicator's Commitment to Quality Spanish-Language Programming

NEW YORK, Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- ABC Radio Networks today announced an exclusive agreement that adds Emmy(R) Award-winning Hispanic broadcaster Maria Celeste Arraras to the syndicator's rapidly-expanding lineup of on-air talent. The new deal extends ABC Radio Networks' growing reputation as the leading developer and marketer of Spanish-language radio programming in the United States.

As outlined in the agreement, Maria Celeste will host a short-form feature segment airing at various times throughout the day across all ABC Radio Networks en Espanol programming including the Hispanic Morning Drive, Hispanic Advantage Network and ESPN Deportes. The features will offer advice for Hispanic families on health and wellness delivered with all the personality and credibility that has made Maria Celeste one of the most trusted and popular celebrities in America.

"Maria Celeste is already a huge international star, and a first-rate journalist," said Darryl Brown, executive vice president and general manager of ABC Radio Networks. "ABC Radio Networks is excited to join forces with such a media dynamo and we look forward to developing additional programming opportunities for her to reach Spanish-speaking radio audiences across the country."

In addition, Maria Celeste will work with ABC Radio Networks on the "Closing the Health Gap" campaign (http://www.healthgap.omhrc.gov/), which focuses on the importance of good health among America's communities of color. The campaign is part of ABC Radio Networks ongoing partnership with the United States Department of Health and Human Services and multiple corporate sponsors.

"I am extremely pleased to be associated with ABC Radio Networks, the market leader in its field," said Maria Celeste. "This is a tremendous opportunity and I look forward to communicating with millions of Hispanic-Americans across the country through the intimate medium of radio."

Distinguished as "one of the most dynamic and well-rounded communicators" by New York's Daily News, Maria Celeste is a respected, multi-lingual newswoman, a best-selling author and elegant star. She holds the distinction of being the only face to grace the cover of People en Espanol six times. People magazine selected her as one of its "50 Most Beautiful People" three times.

"There's no question that Maria will bring much needed attention to the major health problems affecting Hispanic families," said Kevin Miller, senior vice president of business development at ABC Radio Networks. "Our research indicated that she was the ideal personality to make health and wellness front burner issues in America's Hispanic community."

Maria Celeste began her broadcasting career as a reporter and anchor on Puerto Rican television. She later joined the Univision affiliate in New York. Celeste moved on to become Los Angeles bureau chief and news anchor for the network's weekend newscast. Later, she would go on to anchor the network's top-rated newsmagazine program, Primer Impacto. Maria Celeste made headlines after striking a deal with Telemundo/NBC to be the host and managing editor of her own show, Al Rojo Vivo Con Maria Celeste, one of the most successful news magazine programs in the United States. The program regularly ranks number one in major markets, including New York, where it has beat all other Spanish and English language programs in its time slot. The broadcast is seen across the country and in more than 15 Latin American countries.

In addition, Maria Celeste served as a popular Today and Dateline NBC contributor. On the night of Maria Celeste debut as a contributor for Dateline NBC, the show experienced a dramatic audience increase in both Hispanic and Anglo demographics. Former NBC president and COO Andrew Lack told the Los Angeles Times, that Maria Celeste's "was one of the highest [rated] segments at Dateline that quarter." He described her as a "serious, smart journalist."

Maria Celeste co-hosted the Brown-Black Democratic Presidential Debate, a number one-ranked cable news special, in 2004. She also covered major historical events such as the fall of the Soviet Union, Olympic Games and numerous presidential elections.

"Maria Celeste is well known and loved in the media and advertising community for her talent and what she stands for as a person," said Carlos San Jose, director of Hispanic sales ABC Radio Networks en Espanol. "We look forward to working with her and our advertising partners on this very exciting project."

Maria Celeste's book, Selena's Secret, was described as "Simon & Schuster's most successful frontline title in Spanish," by Publisher's Weekly. She recently finished a storybook for children that will be published by Scholastics in the fall of 2006. She currently resides in Miami, Florida with her three children, who are ages seven, six, and four.

About ABC Radio Networks

ABC Radio Networks has 4,600 affiliate radio stations reaching 109 million people age 12 and over each week. Programs and services include ABC News Radio, Paul Harvey News and Comment, The Sean Hannity Show, Satellite Sisters, The Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Doug Banks Morning Show, MoneyTalk with Bob Brinker, The Mark Davis Show, The Larry Elder Show, American Country Countdown with Bob Kingsley, The Dan Patrick Show, The Michael Baisden Show, Dick Bartley's Rock & Roll's Greatest Hits, The John Batchelor Show, Todd Pettengill at the 80s, Renan Almendarez Coello-El Cucuy de la Manana, El Vacilon de la Manana with Luis Jimenez and Moonshadow and El Vacilon de la Manana with Enrique Santos and Joe Ferrero. Other ABC broadcast services include ABC Sports Radio, Radio Disney, syndicated music and talk programs including Flashback, format-specific ePREP and production libraries, ABC's Jack FM(TM) and eleven other 24-Hour Formats, including Scott Shannon's True Oldies Channel and ESPN Radio, which is the exclusive network radio home of Major League Baseball, the NBA and the Bowl Championship Series.

Source: ABC Radio Networks

CONTACT: Bennett Kleinberg, +1-212-576-2700, bkleinberg@goodmanmedia.com, or Sakura Komiyama, +1-212-576-2700, skomiyama@goodmanmedia.com, both of Goodman Media International for ABC Radio Networks

Web site: http://www.healthgap.omhrc.gov/

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