Olympusat Announces Deal with BuenaVision to Take Spanish Network National
Media distribution company Olympusat and New York-based BuenaVision announced a deal on Tuesday to take BuenaVision programming national, bringing exclusive shows from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Latin America to the entire United States.
"We are excited to bring BuenaVision's unique entertainment channel nationally to our pay-television affiliates in the United States, as well as our expanding portfolio of Spanish-language networks", said Tom Mohler, president of Olympusat.
"Carlos Barba has carefully constructed a high-quality entertainment channel that appeals to all Hispanic households looking for dynamic original content that's youthful, fun and appeals to the flourishing younger Hispanic demographic."
The deal covers the entirety of BuenaVision programming, including 10 hours from the top station in the Dominican Republic, two hours of local shows from Puerto Rico, and a number of popular entertainment segments from Latin America.
BuenaVision currently operates only in New York and the joint venture adds to Olympusat's portfolio of 68 Spanish language television networks. Buenavision programming includes shows such as Alain El Clarividente with Latin America medium and spiritualist Alain Pupo, Las Delicias Gourmet with Veronica Rojo, late night musical show Sigue La Noche, and Dominican Republic-based daily news show Noticias Mundo Vision. Olympusat, a pay television service, meanwhile offers over 10 HD Spanish movie, music, and entertainment channels -- a first for a service such as it is.
"We provide a destination for the Hispanic Community by connecting Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Colombians, Cubans, and other Caribbean Americans directly to their cultures, homelands and families with exceptional entertainment," said Carlos Barba, CEO of BuenaVision.
"Now, BuenaVision will be made available to every multi-channel video provider looking to deliver a new and captivating brand that delivers colorful and engaging programming."
The move to bring more Hispanic programming to wider audiences marks a larger trend as companies move to align themselves with one of the fastest growing demographics in the upper western hemisphere. According to a 2012 Pew Hispanic report, the size of the Hispanic electorate is expected to double within one generation by 2030, making the Latino audience a crucial target for not only politicians, but businesses looking to capitalize on a growing socioeconomic and cultural class.
"Latinos will continue to drive the growth of the labor force in the coming decades - as they will account for 60 percent of the Nation's population growth between 2005 and 2050," reads White House document President Barack Obama's Agenda and the Hispanic Community.
Latin television giant Univision also recently announced a move into Canada in which Telelatino's TLN en Español (TLNE) channel will be rebranded as Univision Canada. On the web side of things, Latino web video network MiTú revealed that it would be partnering with AOL in a non-exclusive one-year deal that would have MiTú programming syndicated across AOL platforms.
Let us know if you plan on signing up for BuenaVision through Olympusat, and what Hispanic-based programming you would like to see come to the United States in the comments section below.