MEGA TV goes national.

Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. (SBS) announced that it entered into a new agreement with the leading satellite television provider in the United States, DirecTV. Under the agreement, SBS’ MEGA TV (Channel 22 in Miami) will be distributed nationwide starting October 17th on DirecTV MAS, Channel 405. The agreement is a landmark deal for SBS as it secures national distribution for its programming only a year and a half after inaugurating operations in Miami.

DirecTV MAS’ Channel 405 will feature Mega TV’s ground breaking programming 24-7, including our hit shows “María Elvira Live!”, “Bayly”, “Paparazzi TV”, “Mega News”, the Brazilian Megaseries “Chocolate con Pimienta”, “Xpediente”, “El Círculo”, “Lamusica.com”, “Handyman”, “Raíces & Recuerdos”, “Mis 15”, “Agenda del Inmigrante” and “Mega Cine”. In addition, we are adding a unique morning offering by capitalizing on our successful SBS radio formats with “”Radio en Television” with innovative shows from Los Angeles and New York. Viewers wishing to receive MEGA TV can subscribe to DirecTV MAS by calling 1-800-370-3532.

“We are incredibly excited at initiating our national expansion by partnering with DirecTV MAS, said Cynthia Hudson-Fernandez, Executive Vice-President and Chief Creative Officer of SBS. “To be able to offer original programs that deal with topics of national and international importance, while covering the events that truly concern the US Latino community, confirms that MEGA TV has the quality and originality to become a major player on a national level.”

“MEGA TV helps to fulfill DirecTV’s plan to develop ways of providing better programming for our Latino viewers”, said John de Armas, Executive Vice President World Direct for DirecTV. “Needless to say, we are extremely pleased to be signing this contract and to be welcoming SBS to the DirecTV programming family.”

Among the programs that MEGA TV will broadcasting nationally on DirecTV MAS starting October 17 are:

“Bayly” – A live show hosted by the internationally acclaimed author and journalist Jaime Bayly. Considered to be the Latino version of Larry King, Bayly is widely recognized as one of the best interviewers on Spanish television. His unconventional style and extraordinary personality give his show a provocative edge while retaining an objective and impartial stance concerning the private lives of his celebrity guests.

“Maria Elvira Live!” – Renowned newscaster Maria Elvira Salazar offers a fresh approach on the news of the day with her groundbreaking, debate-style show. The Emmy award winning host demonstrates her skills as an incisive interviewer as she pursues the real truth behind the headlines.

“Paparazzi TV” – A daring and innovative show hosted by Frank Cairo, “Paparazzi TV” explores the most talked about events in the celebrity world. As a quality, magazine-style tabloid show, “Paparazzi TV” delves into the latest scandals and debates with exclusive interviews and uncensored video clips.

“La Musica.com” – This magazine entertainment show targets today’s Latino music fans. The show, hosted by Mariela Encarnación, features interviews with our musical icons and a behind-the-scenes look at the Latin music industry. The show’s original content is linked to the internet site of the same name, which is also one of the most popular Latin destinations on the web.

“Handyman” – This amusing and fun-filled show features comedian Miguelito Gonzalez heading up a “redecorating” crew that is sure to give some needy homeowner a new lease on life.

“El Circulo” – In this weekly program, Ana Remos, Society Editor for Miami’s “El Nuevo Herald,” visits the hottest parties, mansions, boutiques, private planes and megayachts, while partaking of all of the latest trends in South Florida. Filmed in and around posh South Beach, “El Circulo” takes the audience on an elite tour of Miami.

“Raíces y Recuerdos” – A trip back in time that unites us all, bringing a sense of nostalgia to generational viewers while simultaneously eliciting enthusiasm from younger audiences searching for their cultural roots. Hosted by Camilo Egaña, the program creates a newfound awareness and appreciation of our contemporary customs and traditions.

“Agenda del Inmigrante” – This show is hosted by Maria Garza, a leading opinionmaker on the topic of immigration in South Florida. The viewing public can pose immigration-related questions via www.mega.tv http://www.mega.tv/> and engage in a direct conversation with the immigration specialists appearing on the show each week. “Agenda del Inmigrante” also features real-life people who give their own personal accounts of how to succeed in today’s U.S. immigrant community – an indispensable “life guide” for new Hispanic arrivals.

“Xpediente” – Host Allan Villafaña investigates the most dramatic and violent unresolved criminal cases from around the country. The program tries to identify possible suspects and their motives, using detailed reenactments of the crimes while examining all of the evidence, including original police photographs, eyewitness accounts, sworn testimony and video exhibits.

“Mega News” – This news program analyzes the day’s outstanding stories with a keen eye towards how they affect Hispanics in the U.S., while offering pertinent information regarding today’s people in the news. Expert guests are invited to give their own personal viewpoints on the impact of the day’s events.