LATV hits national airwaves.

LATV Networks announced that its network signal coast-to-coast is a success as it premieres its programming lineup.

In a concurrent announcement, the 24/7 network announced six new affiliates. They are: WSJP (CW) Puerto Rico; KVIA (ABC) El Paso; KRNV (NBC) Reno; KYMA (NBC) Yuma/El Centro; KFDA (CBS) Amarillo; and KWES (NBC) Midland/Odessa.

“All of us at LATV are very excited about extending our brand to the national audience. We look forward to creating a new community of viewers, advertisers and affiliates. LATV has always been forward-thinking, creating content for the young U.S. Latino audience. Our bilingual fare isn’t a response to focus groups or the latest trends. It’s what we have been about since our inception in 2001. The reaction from our affiliates has been phenomenal over the last two weeks as we’ve aired LATV with our new live hosts presenting classic LATV programming,” said Danny Crowe, president and founder, LATV. “With new affiliates coming on weekly and network advertisers signing on, we officially launch today as a true viewing alternative and experience for young bilingual USA.”

After a three-month search and over 200 auditions, three Latino newcomers were chosen to anchor the three-hour LATV Live. They are:

— Alexis de la Rocha. Born in Los Angeles of Cuban-Mexican descent, Alexis graduated from the UCLA School of Film, Television and Digital Media. She has worked at E! Entertainment Television, radio station Indie 103.1 and is a member of the Latino Theater Company Lab.

— Christiann Castellanos. Mexican-born Christiann is a Theater and Television/Film graduate from San Diego State University. She has performed on numerous independent films and national commercials.

— Guad Venegas. A California native of Mexican heritage, Guad has a degree in Communications and Spanish from San Diego State University. He has worked as a production assistant at Clear Channel San Diego and as a writer /editor for Nostika magazine.

“LATV is here for the long haul, forging partnerships with such blue-chip companies as Post-Newsweek and affiliates nationwide. By utilizing ground- breaking technology, we are leap-froging the traditional methods of program distribution to reach today’s bilingual youth market,” said Howard Bolter, president and COO, LATV. “LATV is about the hip Latino identity which is an integral part of today’s mainstream. Whether it’s through music, comedy or politics, LATV is a thoroughly new type of creative, right-on-the-mark outlet for young Hispanics’ ideas, aspirations and culture.”

LATV’s programming lineup will include proven audience favorites such as Rocamole, LATV en Concierto and Mex 2 the Max as well as LATV Does Hollywood and Jukebox Requests. The centerpiece of the new lineup is the innovative LATV Live. Running daily from 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT, it is an interactive, edgy town hall-type of show, with audiences text-messaging and calling in to the program’s three hosts in real-time. This live program is the heart of LATV with English/Spanish music video play, comedy, politics, pop culture and new artists.