LATV Hits National Airwaves, Unveiling New Programming and Hosts; Network Rolls Out in 14 Markets, Signing on Six New Affiliates Including CW of Puerto Rico

LATV Hits National Airwaves, Unveiling New Programming and Hosts; Network Rolls Out in 14 Markets, Signing on Six New Affiliates Including CW of Puerto Rico

First Bilingual Music/Entertainment Network Distributed Via Digital Multicast Successfully Completes Two-Week Integration Period

LOS ANGELES, May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- LATV Networks, the nation's first bilingual music/entertainment network distributed via digital multicast, announced today that its pioneering method of delivering its network signal coast-to-coast is a success as it premieres its programming lineup today. In a concurrent announcement, the 24/7 network announced six new affiliates. They are: WSJP (CW) Puerto Rico; KVIA (ABC) El Paso; KRNV (NBC) Reno; KYMA (NBC) Yuma/El Centro; KFDA (CBS) Amarillo; and KWES (NBC) Midland/Odessa.

"All of us at LATV are very excited about extending our brand to the national audience. We look forward to creating a new community of viewers, advertisers and affiliates. LATV has always been forward-thinking, creating content for the young U.S. Latino audience. Our bilingual fare isn't a response to focus groups or the latest trends. It's what we have been about since our inception in 2001. The reaction from our affiliates has been phenomenal over the last two weeks as we've aired LATV with our new live hosts presenting classic LATV programming," said Danny Crowe, president and founder, LATV. "With new affiliates coming on weekly and network advertisers signing on, we officially launch today as a true viewing alternative and experience for young bilingual USA."

After a three-month search and over 200 auditions, three Latino newcomers were chosen to anchor the three-hour LATV Live. They are:

   -- Alexis de la Rocha. Born in Los Angeles of Cuban-Mexican descent,      Alexis graduated from the UCLA School of Film, Television and Digital      Media. She has worked at E! Entertainment Television, radio station      Indie 103.1 and is a member of the Latino Theater Company Lab.    -- Christiann Castellanos. Mexican-born Christiann is a Theater and      Television/Film graduate from San Diego State University. She has      performed on numerous independent films and national commercials.    -- Guad Venegas.  A California native of Mexican heritage, Guad has a      degree in Communications and Spanish from San Diego State University.      He has worked as a production assistant at Clear Channel San Diego and      as a writer /editor for Nostika magazine.   

"LATV is here for the long haul, forging partnerships with such blue-chip companies as Post-Newsweek and affiliates nationwide. By utilizing ground- breaking technology, we are leap-froging the traditional methods of program distribution to reach today's bilingual youth market," said Howard Bolter, president and COO, LATV. "LATV is about the hip Latino identity which is an integral part of today's mainstream. Whether it's through music, comedy or politics, LATV is a thoroughly new type of creative, right-on-the-mark outlet for young Hispanics' ideas, aspirations and culture."

LATV's programming lineup will include proven audience favorites such as Rocamole, LATV en Concierto and Mex 2 the Max as well as LATV Does Hollywood and Jukebox Requests. The centerpiece of the new lineup is the innovative LATV Live. Running daily from 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT, it is an interactive, edgy town hall-type of show, with audiences text-messaging and calling in to the program's three hosts in real-time. This live program is the heart of LATV with English/Spanish music video play, comedy, politics, pop culture and new artists.

"WSJP was planning on launching LATV later in May, but once we saw the network on the air, we wanted to be up immediately," said Liliana Savulescu, general manager, WSJP, Puerto Rico. "Seven hundred thousand homes in Puerto Rico will get to see this very different, energized bilingual network that has created an incredible excitement at our station."

LATV is ad-supported, targeting the key demographic of 12- to 34-year-old Hispanic Americans. In addition to LATV's new affiliates, Post-Newsweek stations in Houston, KPRC (NBC); Miami, WPLG (ABC); Orlando, WKMG (CBS); and San Antonio, KSAT (ABC) are also multicasting the network. LATV premiered on April 23rd with six hours of its 24-hour music/lifestyle block with live hosts as it integrated and tested its multicast digital signal. The bilingual network is also carried on basic cable through its affiliates and in Los Angeles on KJLA via cable, broadcast and DBS.

About LATV

Headquartered in Los Angeles, LATV is the nation's first bilingual music/entertainment network distributed via digital multicast. A pioneer in bicultural youth broadcasting, LATV has been on the air in the Los Angeles market since 2001. The network offers an array of programming that is original, exclusive and live featuring top performers in the Latin music world. Targeting the 12- to 34-year-old Latino, LATV's programming bouquet offers a range of content that includes multi-genre music, lifestyle and entertainment.

LATV Networks, LLC is owned by Costa del Oro Media. For more information, visit LATV online at www.latv.com or www.myspace.com/latv.

   For more information about LATV, please contact:   Maite Saralegui   maite_saralegui@yahoo.com   323.650.2236  

Source: LATV

CONTACT: Maite Saralegui of LATV, +1-323-650-2236,
maite_saralegui@yahoo.com

Web site: http://www.latv.com/
http://www.myspace.com/latv

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Profile: International Entertainment