MIAMI, Aug. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Spanish
Broadcasting System, Inc. ("SBS" or the "Company"; NASDAQ:
SBSAD), the largest publicly traded Hispanic-controlled media
and entertainment company in the United
States, owner of MegaTV, announced today the
acquisition of KTBU-TV (Digital 42 / Virtual Channel 55) and
other television assets serving the Houston, Texas market from U.S. Farm &
Ranch Supply Company, Inc. for an aggregate purchase price of
approximately $16 million. Spanish
Broadcasting System began operating the station on
August 2nd, 2011. This station
will be the third owned and/or operated MegaTV facility in the
U.S., in addition to WSBS-TV in Miami and WMEI-TV in Puerto Rico.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110803/CL45918LOGO
)
KTBU-TV is a full power television station reaching
approximately 1.8 million households in the Houston DMA through its
over-the-air, cable and satellite distribution platforms.
Houston is the 4th largest
Hispanic market in the nation.
Since SBS launched MegaTV five years ago, the
network has expanded its distribution to 5.6 million households via
over-the-air affiliates in seven (7) cities throughout the U.S. and
Puerto Rico, as well as cable
(AT&T U-verse Channel 3008) and satellite (DIRECTV Channel 405)
distribution. SBS leverages its diversified media resources to
provide marketing and advertising sales support to MegaTV and
develops original content for the network from production
facilities located in Miami and
Puerto Rico. The network also has
correspondent bureaus in New York
and Los Angeles.
"This Houston acquisition marks another important watershed
for MegaTV as we increase viewership in the western region of the
country, reflecting our desire to replicate an augment our radio
footprint with TV penetration in the largest U.S. Hispanic
markets," stated SBS Chief Executive
Officer, Raul
Alarcon.
"Our strategic vision of integrating our Radio, TV,
Entertainment and Online properties is in full swing as we continue
to seek out unique growth opportunities with a clear eye on
capturing the U.S. Hispanic consumer," he added.
"The Houston DMA is our gateway to our Central/West Coast
growth strategy, where MegaTV will now debut its original
programming for a differentiated Latino audience. We have a unique
style and a unique approach to Spanish-Language content, featuring
renowned talent and innovative formats that will allow MegaTV to
continue its successful ratings track record on a national
level," stated Albert
Rodriguez, Chief Revenue Officer of SBS.
KTBU-TV MegaTV Channel 55, will feature MegaTV's
early fringe and prime time original programming block including
the hit shows "Paparazzi Magazine," "Esta Noche Tu Night" with Alexis Valdes" and "Bayly," among
others, and first-run novelas "Chepe
Fortuna" and "Mujeres de Lujo." Also,
for the first time, the Houston
market will have access to the popular daily Radio/TV simulcast of
"El Vacilon del Mandril," live from SBS
sister-station KLAX-FM in Los
Angeles.
"We are proud to introduce high-quality, award winning
original programming to the growing Hispanic population in the
Houston market," said
Jose R. Perez, Vice President of
Programming of MegaTV." The launch of KTBU-TV expands our
broadcast footprint and strengthens our presence in the nation's
Space City. KTBU-TV will fill the void in the market for
alternative entertainment for local Hispanics and offer advertisers
a new, powerful option for reaching this vibrant Latino
community."
"With the completion of this strategic Houston transaction, SBS and MegaTV have taken
a significant step towards establishing network penetration of the
U.S. Hispanic market," said Alex
Aleman, VP of Operations of MegaTV. "The station will
play an important role in the growth of our TV business – KTBU-TV
will allow us to provide the growing Hispanic population of
Houston with a new Spanish
language television alternative."
Among the programs that MegaTV will be airing locally on
KTBU-TV starting August 2nd
are:
- "A Tacon Quita'o" – an original talk and
commentary show hosted by three talented, energetic (and
international) Latinas Alba
Roversi, Amara and Marjorie
Rubio. In this funny, intelligent entertaining afternoon
offering, the hosts and guests discuss anything and everything
that's important to today's modern Latina viewer.
- "Paparazzi Magazine" – Up-to-the minute celebrity
news with the latest gossip from Mexico, Latin
America and the U.S. Find out what's happening in the
entertainment world including the latest musical releases, Hispanic
and Hollywood movies, upcoming
concerts and the latest fashion trends, hosted by Orietta De Luque, Allan
Villafana and Eduardo
Antonio.
- "Sobre Mis Pasos: Edicion Especial" – The latest
in a docu-series of penetrating investigative reports that has led
Tony Cortes into the world of human
trafficking and illegal immigration. This new venture takes Tony
places where few have dared to go as he follows in the footsteps of
immigrants trying to smuggle their way into the United States and experiences their
do-or-die trials and tribulations.
- "Esta Noche Tu
Night"- In the tradition of big-budget variety
shows, Esta Noche Tu
Night features live audience participation, comedy
skits, celebrity interviews and musical guests, accompanied by the
ENTN orchestra. The charismatic comedian/host, Alexis Valdes, attracts a loyal following with
his innovative comedic style and hilarious interviewing
skills.
- "Bayly" -The controversial, witty and irreverent
writer and journalist, Jaime Bayly,
now hosts a "late night" style show featuring interviews of
renowned personalities from around the globe.
- Sports - To complement our original programming, we have
the best in sports coverage with ESPN Deportes in our
Sports Saturday programming block from 6PM
to 10PM. Sports fans and adrenaline junkies alike can now
turn to MegaTV for the best in sports entertainment.
- Novelas & Series - MegaTV is also proud to present
our exclusive first-run novella "Chepe Fortuna", a top-of-the-line
production from RCN TV in Colombia.
About Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.
Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. is the largest publicly traded
Hispanic-controlled media and entertainment company in the United States. SBS owns and/or operates 21
radio stations located in the top U.S. Hispanic markets of
New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San
Francisco and Puerto Rico,
airing the Tropical, Mexican Regional, Spanish Adult Contemporary
and Hurban format genres. SBS operates 3 of the top 6
Spanish-language stations in the nation including the #1 Spanish
station in America, WSKQ-FM in New York
City. The Company also owns and operates MegaTV, a
television operation with over-the-air, cable and satellite
distribution and affiliates throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. SBS also produces live concerts
and events and operates LaMusica.com, a bilingual Spanish-English
online site providing content related to Latin music,
entertainment, news and culture. The Company's corporate Web site
can be accessed at www.spanishbroadcasting.com.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance
with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual
results and performance in future periods to be materially
different from any future results or performance suggested by the
forward-looking statements in this press release. Although the
Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no
assurance that actual results will not differ materially from these
expectations, and the Company disclaims any duty to update any
forward-looking statements made by the Company. From time to time,
these risks, uncertainties and other factors are discussed in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Media Contacts:
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Analysts and
Investors
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Media & Press
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Joseph A. Garcia
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Vladimir Gomez
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Chief Financial
Officer
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Director of Marketing &
Communications
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(305) 441-6901
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(305) 644-4817
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SOURCE MegaTV