Comcast Corporation says it is expanding the carriage of eight Hispanic networks by approximately 14 million total subscribers. That’s beating the commitment it made to the FCC.
The company noted that among the public commitments made as part of Comcast’s acquisition of NBCUniversal was an agreement to increase the distribution of at least three networks that are American Latino-owned or -controlled or target the Latino community by at least 10 million digital basic subscribers within six months after the deal closed on January 28. Comcast says it will surpass that goal by 40% by adding approximately 14 million subscribers to eight Hispanic networks.
“We are pleased to be bringing more Hispanic programming to millions of consumers across the US,” said David Jensen, Vice President of Content Acquisition for Comcast Cable. “Comcast strives to deliver programming that brings the world to our customers, and I’m proud that we were able to go far beyond our commitment by delivering this great new programming.”
The eight Hispanic or Spanish-language networks that have expanded carriage on Comcast systems are Azteca America, Galavision, HITN, LATV, -mun2, Telefutura, Telemundo and Univision. Telemundo, it should be noted, is owned by Comcast’s NBCUniversal.
The increased carriage for these networks will be achieved primarily by adding the channels to new cable systems and markets. For example, the MSO said, the Hispanic Information & Telecommunications Network (HITN) will be added to the Comcast cable line-ups in Boston, Atlanta, Nashville, Seattle, Portland, Denver, Miami, Western New England, Michigan and Indiana. Azteca America will launch in New York and Philadelphia. Comcast, which serves more than 23 million subscribers across the United States, said it provides more than 60 Hispanic or Spanish-language networks on most of its major cable systems.
“This partnership with Comcast is a step in our expansion strategy to meet the demand of the increasing Latino community,” said Jose Luis Rodriguez, President and CEO of HITN. “Our programming will now reach millions of new households, providing our viewers the tools they need to navigate life in the US.”
