Univision Deportes Network (UDN), which has exclusive airing rights to Mexico's Liga MX matches, is coming to Comcast cable subscribers of premium Digital Preferred package or Latino services. UDN also broadcasts international soccer matches, boxing, MLB, NBA, Formula 1, and NFL games for Spanish-speaking subscribers. Financial terms of the deal are left undisclosed.
Sports programming among the Spanish-speaking community in the U.S. is increasing in popularity. Univision noted the huge ratings earned by the television broadcast and online coverage of the FIFA World Cup matches. As a result, huge media firms begin to really notice Univision as a potential company acquisition while the market for Hispanic viewers continue to display growth. UDN is currently the No. 1 cable sports network that is broadcasted in Spanish both in primetime programming and all day broadcasting.
"Univision Deportes Network offers terrific programming and will be a great addition to our growing lineup of networks for Hispanic customers," said Executive Vice President Marcien Jenckes at Consumer Services, Comcast Cable.
At present, Comcast's Hispanic distribution platform brings over 60 Latino networks that are in both Spanish and English to XFINITY TV subscribers. UDN will be available in Comcast's biggest Hispanic markets. These would include El Paso, Denver, Fresno, Albuquerque, Sacramento, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, Miami and New York.
"This partnership speaks of the growing influence of Hispanics and underscores Univision's position as the gateway to a growing and increasingly influential consumer base," said Juan Carlos Rodriguez, Univision President of Sports.
Blima Tuller, chief financial officer of Liberman Broadcasting, commented that the increased market share of Comcast would give the company a huge influence over programming choices among Spanish-speaking subscribers. The company could "shut out independent and minority broadcasters that lack the leverage and power of multiple networks, preventing TV viewers from being able to watch the programming they would like to see," said Tuller.
Comcast is the nation's biggest high-speed Internet, video and phone provider to private residential subscribers and business owners covered by the XFINITY segment. The company invested heavily in technology in order to establish a premium network that can deliver amazingly fast broadband speeds. Customers also receive personalized video, home management proposals and communications.
Univision Communications Inc is a top media company that caters to audience from Hispanic America. Also a U.S. top content creator, the company handles Univision Network which ranks as one of the top 5 U.S. networks. It is also the most-viewed Spanish-language broadcast TV network in the nation reaching around 95 percent of Hispanic TV households in the U.S.
