Univision to launch Online & Mobile – Novelas y Series.

Univision Interactive Media, Inc. announced plans to launch a new online and mobile “Novelas y Series” (Novelas and Series) channel later this year on Univision.com. This launch follows the website’s successful originally produced webnovela, “Vidas Cruzadas” (Crossed Lives).

“Building on the success of our originally produced webnovela, ‘Vidas Cruzadas’, the launch of this new dedicated online and mobile Novela channel clearly demonstrates our commitment to providing U.S. Hispanics with the best possible interactive entertainment experience,” said Kevin Conroy, president of Univision Interactive Media, Inc. “We have significantly increased our focus on the importance of video and we are excited about the opportunity to offer our online and mobile audience high quality novela programming from leading content producers around the world.”

Univision.com’s new channel will include premier third-party content from Azteca América, RCN Televisión, and Dori Media Group, as well as original programming from Univision Interactive Media. Programs from Univision Networks’ top shows and special events will also be featured. Users will be able to access the video on both online and mobile platforms. As a hub for novela enthusiasts, the channel will also include the latest novela news, celebrity gossip, behind-the-scenes footage and message boards on a dedicated section co-branded with Dori Media Group.

Conroy adds, “The launch of the ‘Novelas y Series’ channel will expand the deep multimedia experience that Univision offers to today’s Hispanics, reaching them wherever and however they consume content.”

In addition to “Vidas Cruzadas”, which has generated more than 2.5 million U.S. video streams to date and is one of the website’s top two most watched online properties ever, Univision Interactive Media has had resounding successes across its recent video offerings. Last year’s live streaming of the Paz Sin Fronteras concert with Juanes set new records and is now our largest live streaming event ever. During the fourth quarter, video searches increased 104 percent following the launch of Univision.com’s new Video Search powered by Truveo.

Source: Univision.com Worldwide Traffic Analytics, 2008 & 2009