After months of speculation, Univision and ABC this morning announced they have joined forces to create a “multiplatform news and information service for U.S. Hispanics” – in English.
The new 24/7 network will deliver news content focused on issues, lifestyle interests and culture of importance to Hispanics and will feature journalists of ABC News and Univision News. The transaction is subject to the completion of definitive agreements.
Plans are for a website, mobile and social media content to debut this summer. The TV channel, which doesn’t have a name yet, is expected to launch in 2013.
The new network will have anchors and correspondents in major cities across the U.S. and will share the newsgathering and production resources of ABC and Univision News.
A management team will be announced this summer.
In a press release ABC News President Ben Sherwood stated: “Our mission is clear: To offer culturally relevant news, information and lifestyle programming to the large and thriving Latino audience in the United States. In these times of rapid change, we are very excited about this opportunity.”
In an email to staff, Univision’s President and CEO Randy Falco informed them of the deal and congratulated those involved in making it happen. Here’s an excerpt:
“This agreement speaks to the importance of our audience and the influence of the Univision brand that you have help built. Univision is the gateway to Hispanic America, regardless of language, delivering culturally relevant content that no one else can because of our unique understanding and connection with our audience.
This joint venture will allow us to expand our efforts to deliver on-air and online content focused on Hispanic issues and features the trusted, award-winning journalists of ABC News and Univision News. This endeavor will further increase our influence, but most importantly will elevate our role as the champion of Hispanic America by ensuring the voice of our community is heard.
Congratulations to everyone that worked on this alliance including Cesar Conde, Andy Hobson, Doug Kranwinkle, Isaac Lee, Beau Ferrari, Jessica Rodriguez, Bert Delgado, Marilyn Strauss, Jay Grant, Mel Weidner, Fabrizio Alcobe, Valeria Escobari, Jose Franchi and Fernando Rodriguez-Vila.”
Just last Thursday, Univision quietly released they had launched a 24-hour cable news network in Spanish called FOROtv from Mexico, distributed on DISH for DishLATINO.
