Fox Sports en Español Builds Distribution & Ratings … Unveils 2005-2006 Line-up.

Buoyed up by significant gains in distribution, viewership and advertising sales over the past year, Fox Sports en Español, the largest and by far the most watched Spanish-language sports network in the U.S., today unveiled its 2005-2006 programming line-up to hundreds of advertisers at New York’s Rainbow Room. Offering more than 1,500 hours of live sports programming a year, the leading all-sports network now reaches 3.2 million Hispanic cable and satellite households and is the second most widely distributed Spanish-language cable network in the country.

“We’ve come a long way since our first Upfront presentation five years ago,” said David Sternberg, executive vice president and general manager, Fox Sports en Español. “Today, with more live coverage of the most important Latino sporting events and original sports programming than any other network, we’re not only the leading all-sports Spanish-language cable network, but also have strengthened our distribution footprint and ratings to deliver our advertisers the strongest male composition in all Spanish-language television.”

Distribution and Ratings Growth as Springboard for 2006 Success

Surpassing the historic 3 million household mark, Fox Sports en Español is now in 3.26 million Hispanic cable and satellite households and added more than 400,000 new households in CY 2004. Making huge strides in the top 20 DMA’s for an overall growth of 16 percent over CY 2003, Fox Sports en Español now has higher distribution in the top three DMA’s than GolTV and ESPNDeportes’ total distribution, combined. Among the markets where Fox Sports en Español experienced the most significant growth are: New York (+31%), Miami/Ft. Lauderdale (+13%), Houston (+41%), Dallas (+79%), San Antonio (+114%), and Phoenix (+261%).

On the ratings front, Fox Sports en Español continues to deliver advertisers with the most cost effective, targeted access to the 18-49 male demographic. According to Nielsen Media Research, during CY 2004, the all-sports Spanish-language network delivered 11 of the top 20 programs for total Hispanic household reach; 8 of the top 20 among men 18-49; and 7 of the top 20 live cable sports programs among men 18-34.

“We’re consistently delivering coverage area ratings twice as high as our nearest competitor,” said Tom Maney, senior vice president of advertising sales, Fox Sports en Español. “Given that the competition is twice our size, we are tremendously energized by our strong ratings delivery, particularly among the male 18-34 and 18-49 demographics, and look forward to continuing to work with our advertisers who understand that while size may be important it’s not about counting the people you reach but reaching the people that count.”

Original Programming and More than 500 Hours of Live Soccer Coverage

Complementing the network’s unrivaled in-depth coverage of the most important Latino sports news and events from around the globe, Fox Sports en Español will kick off the 2006 soccer season with the introduction of “Jorge Ramos en Vivo.” Marking the much-awaited return of veteran sports journalist and personality Jorge Ramos to television, the first of its kind one-hour interactive Spanish-language sports talk show combines viewer call-in, email and online interaction, as well as will offer Hispanic sports enthusiasts unprecedented access to their favorite teams and players.

Maney added: “It’s no secret that the advent of new technologies and non-traditional channels of distribution are having a significant effect on consumers’ media consumption and thereby present unique challenges for advertisers. We know that the key to success lies in providing the highest quality programming that people can’t live without; and for us, with more than 1,500 hours of live sports programming a year, the great news is that sports continues to be the number one category viewers choose to watch live. No other Spanish-language cable network can come this close to being TIVO/DVR-proof. Now, that’s added value.”

Leading up to the 2006 World Cup, Fox Sports en Español will once again be the only Spanish-language network to offer exclusive coverage of 3 major international club level tournaments from Latin America, including more than 125 matches and in excess of 500 hours of live coverage of the most important matches from the Copa Interliga, Copa Libertadores and Copa de Campeones.

Building on the momentum generated from its extensive live club soccer action, Fox Sports en Español will offer the very best in original Spanish-language World Cup programming including: Road to the World Cup, a series of 9 half-hour specials showcasing in-depth bracket analysis, player interviews, highlights and predictions from Fox’s on-air personalities and special guests from around the globe; Los Mundialistas, 12 one-hour programs featuring exclusive interviews with current and former players from the CONCACAF and CONMEBOL national teams participating in the World Cup; Los Tecnicos del Mundial, a series of 9 one-hour specials, each featuring an exclusive interview with one of the coaches from among the participating World Cup teams; and 5 official World Cup films selected from the 1978 to 1998 seasons.

In June Fox Sports en Español will harness the global power of the News Corp/Fox family to bring viewers live up-to-the-minute news and highlights direct from Germany. Titled Boleto a Alemania, the network’s on-site World Cup coverage not only will chronicle Team Mexico’s bid for soccer supremacy but also will combine coverage from three different crews throughout the various venues to offer viewers an inside look into the news, scores and highlights from the field of play.

Beyond Soccer

To the delight of Latino sports fans, particularly those of Caribbean and South American descent whom have grown up watching baseball, Fox Sports en Español’s programming line-up once again includes much more than soccer. Starting with the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in the summer of 2006, Fox Sports en Español continues its in-depth of coverage of America’s favorite past time by bringing its viewers closer to the excitement of the Post Season, the Divisional playoffs, League Championships and the World Series.

On the news front, “Diario Fox Sports,” will continue to be the cornerstone of Fox Sports en Español’s daily sports news programming and will offer viewers the very best in nightly sports reporting. “Diario Fox Sports” is complemented by one of Latin America’s most recognized and acclaimed nightly sports news, “Fox Sports Noticias.”

The 3rd Annual Premios Fox Sports

Premios Fox Sports, the network’s annual sports award show, returns for its third appearance in January 2006. The first-of-its-kind awards show celebrates the contributions and accomplishments of U.S. Hispanic and Latin American athletes, both on and off the field. Produced in Miami Beach, Florida, Premios Fox Sports is transmitted to more than 22 million households across the United States and Latin America.