LATV Fall Lineup Debuts With New Programming Format, More Original Content and Exclusive Animated 'Homies' Show
LATV Fall Lineup Debuts With New Programming Format, More Original Content and Exclusive Animated 'Homies' Show
Bilingual Network Unveils Cornerstone of Its New Fare - the Segment-Based Music/Lifestyle 'LATV Central'
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- LATV Networks, the nation's first bilingual music/entertainment network distributed via digital multicast, announced today that it was expanding its programming lineup to include an additional 10 hours of original first-run content each week within a novel television format. Beginning today, its new segment based programming block, LATV Central, will be the cornerstone of the network's programming fare. In a concurrent announcement, LATV detailed its coup in landing the rights to produce the first animated "Homies" show based on the worldwide figurine phenomenon created by Dave Gonzales.
LATV Central premieres as a three-hour primetime programming block made up of three one-hour episodes wrapped by original music videos hours. Each hour of the prime-time innovation originates from LATV's west coast studios, incorporating taped field segments, taped tosses, performances and live cut- ins. LATV hosts will introduce the three-to-five minute taped lifestyle segments which are structured to have live news breaks in the format.
"LATV Central incorporates elements that have been part of LATV since its inception, resonating with our audience and affiliates. It's all about original content, interactivity, relevant issues and music produced from our unique, independent perspective. It's about the audience it serves--the young bilingual U.S. Latino," said Danny Crowe, president of LATV. "This is a natural and creative evolution for LATV. The very exciting result is more original first-run programming, more of what has made LATV such a fast-growing network across the country."
Created by LATV producers, LATV Central reflects the perspective of the audience it serves -- the young bilingual U.S. Latino. The enhanced website and on-air graphics will invite viewers to vote for their favorite segments, express their opinions and submit their own content. Original and current, LATV Central airs Monday-Friday, 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. PT. The segments fall under four main categories:
- Music: interviews, live performances, profiles of artists, the making of a video/concert, cutting a CD - Lifestyle: fashion, art, travel, trends - Entertainment: video games, sports, comedy, red carpet, profiles - Social issues: politics, environment, news, education, college life
"We're building these segments to be mini-pilots so the ones that strike a chord with our viewers can be spun off into their own series. Much of it is music-based but not musical performance based. Our roots are in music and at least 60 percent of our content will continue to be music," said Howard Bolter, president and COO, LATV.
In addition to LATV Central, LATV will air the exclusive premiere of The Homies Hip-Hop Show based on the two-inch figurines that have a worldwide following. After receiving an extraordinary response to its Homies segments this summer, LATV is now extending it to a comedic, stop-motion one-hour animated series. Each show will consist of eight to 10 sketches with interlaced music videos. "Creator Dave Gonzales and LATV's Rick Najera take the home-boy neighborhood stereotype and turn it upside down and inside out," said Mr. Crowe. "Like some rap lyrics and street art, there is more that meets the eye with these complex and provocative characters." Premiering on Thursday, The Homies Hip-Hop Show will air on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. PT.
For LATV's growing affiliate network, the programming changes will be fresh and relevant, content that they will have a hand in producing. "We see this as a partnership, working with our affiliates to produce local content," adds Mr. Bolter. "By collaborating with us on the shows and promotions, they can add local flavor and be an integral part of this bilingual phenomenon."
LATV's national rollout began with Post-Newsweek Stations Inc.'s affiliates in Houston, KPRC (NBC); Miami, WPLG (ABC); Orlando, WKMG (CBS); and San Antonio, KSAT (ABC). LATV is multicast on these stations' digital spectrum as a standard-definition channel. The four Post-Newsweek stations are in the top 20 Hispanic ADIs. In addition to the Post-Newsweek stations, LATV also recently announced a 10-market affiliation agreement with Entravision Communications Corporation (NYSE:EVC) to broadcast the national network. Five of the 10 Entravision stations that are LATV affiliates register in the top 25 U.S. Hispanic markets. In addition to these markets, LATV has affiliates in 12 other markets including Puerto Rico. 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 and launched nationally on April 23, 2007. Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc. is an investor in the national network and has a minority ownership interest in the Company as well as a seat on its Board of Directors. 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. The network is ad-supported and offers an array of programming that is original, exclusive and live featuring top performers in the Latin music world. 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
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:
Source: LATV Networks
CONTACT: Maite Saralegui of LATV, +1-323-650-2236,
maite_saralegui@yahoo.com
Web site: http://www.latv.com/
Profile: International Entertainment
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