SBS-MEGA TV Signs Exclusive Contract with DIRECTV

September 5, 2007
Via PRNewswire-FirstCall

Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. (SBS) announced today that it has signed an exclusive contract with DIRECTV, the nation's leading satellite television service provider. Beginning Oct. 17, MEGA TV will be available nationwide on the DIRECTV Mas(TM) platform on channel 405.

After only a year and a half on the air in Miami, MEGA TV has been the fastest-growing television station in the history of South Florida's television market, achieving unprecedented recognition from viewers in record time. This Emmy Award winning channel, with nationally recognized personalities such as Jaime Bayly and Maria Elvira Salazar and break-through shows like Paparazzi TV, will now be a national player in the competitive U.S. Hispanic television market.

"This is the first step in our strategy for expansion and growth for MEGA TV in the United States," commented Raul Alarcon Jr, SBS's CEO. "We are reaching the Hispanic consumer with greater strength each and every day, and we will continue to integrate radio, TV, and the Internet as part of our overall strategy of disseminating original content through different media outlets."

"Mega TV will add tremendous value to what is already the most comprehensive Spanish-language programming offer available nationwide," said John A. de Armas, Vice President of WORLDDIRECT, DIRECTV, Inc. "As an exclusive channel on the DIRECTV Mas platform, Mega TV will provide our customers with a unique and compelling viewing experience. We look forward to having SBS join the DIRECTV Mas family."

"We are excited to start our national expansion by partnering with DIRECTV," said Cynthia Hudson-Fernandez, Executive Vice-President and Chief Creative Officer of MEGA TV. "To be able to offer original programs that deal with topics of national and international importance, while covering the events that truly concern the Hispanic community, confirms that MEGA TV has the quality and originality to become a major player at a national level."

Hudson also says that several original productions will be incorporated into the new channel concept of "Radio en Television" with hit SBS radio shows such as "El Cucuy" from Los Angeles' La Raza 97.9 and "El Vacilon de la Manana" from New York's Mega 97.9 serving to expand the radio brands onto television. DIRECTV Mas customers will have access to exclusive programming from Mega TV, including "Maria Elvira Live," "Bayly," "Paparazzi TV," "MEGA News", The Brazilian MegaSeries: "Chocolate con Pimienta," "Xpediente," "El Circulo," "Lamusica.com," "Codigo Astral," "Handyman," "Raices & Recuerdos," "Mis 15," "Agenda del Inmigrante" and "MEGA Cine."

DIRECTV Mas(TM) offers the widest array of Spanish- and English-language programming available and the latest satellite technology, all combined to provide viewers with digital-quality picture and sound at competitive prices. The service provides access to more than 55* Spanish-language channels including top programming from Mexico, Central and South America, Spain, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. DIRECTV Mas programming offers sports, movies, music, news and educational networks, and access to more than 250 English-language channels of DIRECTV(R) programming, featuring the largest selection of pay per view choices and sports programming available.

Source: CNNMoney.com