Azteca America Unveils Programming Strategy at 2004 Upfront in
New York City
-- Growing Hispanic Network Focuses on Hit Telenovelas, Sports, Entertainment
and News
NEW YORK, May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
TV Azteca, S.A. de C.V. (BMV:
TVAZTCA), one of the two largest producers of Spanish- language television
programming in the world, announced today that Azteca America celebrated its
Upfront event in New York City, unveiling its programming strategy for the
opening season along with the incorporation of new affiliates in five markets.
Luis J. Echarte, President and CEO of Azteca America, welcomed the gathering
and unveiled stations in Brownsville-McAllen, TX (K64FM Channel 64); Tampa, FL
(WXAX Channel 26); Hartford, CT (WHCT Channel 38); Raleigh-Durham, NC (WHOA
Channel 44); and Boise, ID (KCBB Channel 51). Together with existing markets,
the network is in cities that account for 78% of the U.S. Hispanic households.
"It's great to be back here in New York City," said Luis J. Echarte. "It's even
better to announce coverage in five new markets that represent almost 5% of our
community."
Following opening remarks, Mr. Echarte turned the stage over to Jorge Jaidar,
Azteca America's chief operating officer, who highlighted Azteca America's
programming strategy, which includes two new novelas to be launched within the
next two months as well as thrilling boxing and pro-wrestling programs and a
new series of Mexican movies never before seen in the United States.
TELENOVELAS
Azteca America will launch its first novela ever based on U.S. Hispanic
characters on July 4 with La Heredera. The story is centered on Maria Claudia,
who is returning from graduate studies in the U.S. when she literally bumps
into her love, the Mexican-American U.S. Air Force pilot Antonio. The novela
features one of Azteca's most popular duos, Silvia Navarro and Sergio Basanez.
Prior to "La Heredera", Azteca America will launch on June 28, "Belinda: El
Amor Hace Justicia", starring Leonardo Garcia, Hector Bonilla and Mariana
Torres.
SPORTS
Azteca America features the most popular matches of the "Mexican Soccer
League", with exclusive broadcast rights to nine of Mexico's 20 First Division
professional teams, including the overall league leader of the current season,
Jaguares de Chiapas.
Soccer will be combined with an exciting lineup of weekend boxing matches
broadcast from Las Vegas, Phoenix, Palm Springs, Nashville, Reno and other key
Hispanic cities featuring top Latino fighters.
Rounding out the strong weekend sports lineup, Azteca America will continue its
successful "Lucha Libre" pro wrestling series, which features well-known
Mexican wrestlers, such as Mascara Sagrada, Los Mini Super Estrellas and
Octagon.
NEWS
"Noticiero Azteca America" continues with Jose Martin Samano and Rebeca Saenz
in the evening and Armando Guzman live from Washington D.C. at night. Armando
Guzman is a 20-year veteran correspondent covering the White House and a
nationally syndicated columnist.
In addition, "Calles al Desnudo" covers high-impact news stories from the
streets of urban Latin America.
ENTERTAINMENT
As one of the leading programs on U.S. Hispanic television today, "La Academia"
continues to thrill audiences with some of the hottest Latin American rising
stars six nights a week.
With "Cinema Azteca", Azteca America has brought some of the hottest action and
dramatic Mexican movies to the United States for the first time.
Carlos de la Garza, president of sales and marketing for Azteca America,
presented an impressive array of the network's unique product placement
opportunities, as well as concrete examples with leading U.S. consumer goods,
automotive and retailing companies. He also presented his strengthened sales
team, which has more than tripled in recent months to attend increased
advertising demand.
In addition to Azteca America's top executives presenting, the network's
leading talent were present, such as Pati Chapoy, Jose Ramon Fernandez, Armando
Guzman, Annette Michel, Ingrid Coronado, Francisco de la O, and Jorge Garralda.
Each celebrity was introduced to an audience integrated by more than 400
advertising executives and was on hand at the after party to meet guests and
discuss current and upcoming projects.
The evening concluded with a musical selection performed by "La Academia".
The five new affiliates are added to Azteca America's 33 existing markets,
which include Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston, Chicago, San Antonio,
Dallas, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Phoenix, Albuquerque, San Diego,
Fresno-Visalia, Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, Denver, Orlando, Austin, Tucson,
Corpus Christi, Las Vegas, Monterey-Salinas, Bakersfield, West Palm Beach-Ft.
Pierce, Salt Lake City, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, Naples-Ft. Myers, Yakima-
Pascoe-Richland, Wichita, Oklahoma City, Reno, Victoria, Charleston and
Chattanooga.
Further information can be found at the network's new corporate website:
http://www.aztecaamerica.com/corporate.
Company Profile
TV Azteca is one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television
programming in the world, operating two national television networks, Azteca 13
and Azteca 7, through 554 owned transmitters across the country. TV Azteca
affiliates include Azteca America Network, a new broadcast television network
focused on the rapidly growing U.S. Hispanic market; and Todito.com, an
Internet portal for North American Spanish speakers.
Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release
are forward-looking statements and are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected. Risks that may affect TV Azteca are identified in its Form 20-F and
other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
DATASOURCE: TV Azteca, S.A. de C.V.
CONTACT: Investor Relations, Bruno Rangel, +011-5255-3099-9167, or
, or Omar Avila, +011-5255-3099-0041, or
, both of TV Azteca; Media Relations, Anne Brukhimer
+1-310-407-6568, or , or Sonia Pena,
+1-310-407-6589, or , both of Weber Shandwick for TV
Azteca; or in Mexico, Tristan Canales, +011-5255-3099-5786, or
, or Daniel McCosh, +011-5255-3099-0059, or
, both of TV Azteca
Web site: http://www.tvazteca.com.mx/