Azteca America Network Increases U.S. Hispanic Coverage.

TV Azteca, S.A. de C.V. announced that Azteca America Network, the company’s wholly owned broadcasting network focused on the US Hispanic market, has new affiliates in three markets. With the addition of these stations — W21AU Channel 21 in Orlando, FL; KKJK-LP Channel 19 in Las Vegas, NV; and K66FN and KSVN Channel 49 in the Salt Lake City, UT region — Azteca America now covers 31% of the U.S. Hispanic marketplace.

The two Salt Lake City stations, previously Univision affiliates, began the transmission of Azteca America programming on June 1, 2002. The other two stations will begin transmission later this summer.

“We are delighted to see the increase in coverage and growth of Azteca America, which provides momentum for further development of our network, with no associated equity investment from TV Azteca,” commented Luis J. Echarte, President and CEO of Azteca America Network. “Our strong performance in the current covered areas has generated enormous interest from diverse station owners in the U.S. who want to tap into the Hispanic market with our popular programming.”

According to Nielsen’s Hispanic market survey, Azteca America Network’s affiliate in Los Angeles KAZA-TV Channel 54’s average weekday prime time (6:00 pm to 11:00 pm) audience share increased to 8.7 percent in May, from 7.1 percent during the previous month and 6.5 percent in March.

“We are confident that the increasing popularity of our programming in the U.S., together with negligible operating costs for the network, will make each of our affiliate stations a profitable business,” added Mr. Echarte. “Going forward, we will continue to expand our network in a very strategic manner by seeking new market opportunities.”

The new affiliates add to Azteca America Network’s existing markets, including Los Angeles, San-Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, Houston and Reno.