Fox Sports en Español takes Content and Integration to the next level.

Eleven years after launching as the first national Spanish-language sports network in the United States, Fox Sports en Español has not only evolved into the most dominant sports network in Spanish-language cable television, but stands as the country’s most widely-distributed sports brand with its multi-platform assets. The network hosted its eighth upfront presentation today before an audience of nearly 1,000 media and advertising professionals at Cipriani in New York City. Fox Sports en Español unveiled key programming properties, and its extensive brand capabilities for the year ahead.

Fox Sports en Español showcased to the advertising community it’s fully integrated content delivery platforms, utilizing both its linear TV channel, and its multiple non-linear brands. “For Broadcast Year 2009, we continue to be the leader in multi-platform innovations, utilizing our extensive content rights, and powerful distribution platforms,” said Tom Maney, Senior Vice President of Ad Sales for the network.

These assets include the Fox Sports en Español / Microsoft partnership of msnlatino (delivering over 1.5 million unique users per month to the site), the largest circulating Spanish-language sports magazine in the U.S–Fox Sport Magazine (reaching 750,000 Hispanic households monthly), and Fox Móvil (a unique mobile-sports offering distributed by multiple wireless operators).

Capitalizing on Shifts in Spanish Language Television Viewing

In addition to its multiplatform capabilities, the network is positioned to capitalize on the decline in Spanish language broadcast viewing, and the growing shift towards cable–as viewership of Spanish-language cable has grown to a twelve percent share of total day, and a ten percent share of prime-time viewing in calendar year 2007 for Ad 18-49 according to Nielsen.

Fox Sports en Español had its strongest weeknight programming in prime-time in the network’s history last year, when 659,000 viewers tuned-in to watch the Pachuca / Chivas match—delivering a rating of 3.1 national average amongst Ad 18-49. In calendar year 2007 Fox Sports en Español had six of the top ten, and fourteen of the top twenty sports programs in Spanish-language cable television for Ad 18-49. On multiple nights, Fox Sports en Español out-delivered three of the four Spanish-language broadcast networks in prime-time television.

Bullish about the future, Maney added “By providing unparalleled coverage of the sports that matter most to Latino audiences, Fox Sports en Español is sure to be top of mind for advertisers seeking to reach a high composition of the male demographic, utilizing multiple media layers to engage their target audience.”

Champion Network that Delivers Exclusive Programming

Showcasing its extensive line-up, Fox Sports en Español vaunts the most live, and exclusive sporting events on Spanish-language television, including:

· 1,600 hours per year
· 800 total sporting events
· 400 events that can not been seen anywhere else in the world

Exclusive programming remains the cornerstone of the network’s long-term strategy, as it extends its ownership of the Copa Libertadores, Copa Nissan Sudamericana through 2014, and InterLiga through 2010. Additional world-class soccer programming will include the Torneo de Verano and Recopa, as well as coverage of the Mexican, Argentine, Italian Serie A and English Premier Leagues. The all-sports network telecasts the Mexican, Argentine, Italian and U.S. professional soccer leagues. “We are very excited about the 50th Anniversary of the Copa Libertadores in 2009, and strongly believe Fox Sports en Español will break yet another viewing record,” stated Maney.

The Widest Variety of Sports Programming

Satisfying the multiple desires of the Latino sports fan, Fox Sports en Español has extended its rights to the Major League Baseball’s (MLB) regular season through 2013 with a game a week, the All-Star game, and World Series. The network also announced expanded coverage of its Boxing and Mixed Martial arts programming block with the addition of the new Ultimate Fighting matches–Guerreros De Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Leading Consumer Engagement

Moving beyond just excellent ratings, Fox Sports en Español presented its new “Simmons Engagement Metric” viewing data where Hispanic M18+ viewers ranked the network as number one, versus all competitors in the key engagements metrics of: (1) Personal connection, (2) Social Interaction, (3) Trustworthiness, (4) Ad Attention, and (5) Overall Score. “The emotional passion and attachment to their teams makes sports the most engaged content on television,” said Maney.

Launch of the First Multi-Layered National Grassroots Initiative

Fox Sports en Español has partnered with the largest grassroots soccer tournament in the U.S.—the Alianza de Futbol Hispano—creating the first national grassroots, multi-layered sponsorship opportunity which will launch this summer. Taking place across three weekends in the top-ten Hispanic markets nation-wide, and featuring over seven thousand players the Alianza de Futbol Hispano will enlist participation from approximately 125,000 players, family, and spectators. “Different from any other program in the market, it is the only program that creates national media attention with fully integrated, and extensive grassroots opportunities for sponsors at a local level,” said Lisa Scholtes Regional Sales Manager, and Director of Integrated Sales at Fox Sports en Español.

Maximizing Integration with Broadband

The leading Spanish-language network announced the launch of launch Fox Sports en Español Broadband–a subscription, and pay-per-view video service offering on-line users a selection of the long-form programming seen on the network. The line-up will include matches from the Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, and England’s Premier League. “We are thrilled with the tremendous growth of all our Interactive media platforms, and see the integration of broadband into our platform as a natural evolution, so we may continue delivering our video programming, and advertiser’s commercial messages wherever, whenever, and however our viewers want it,” commented Maney.

Scoring with Barça TV

Fox Sports en Español announced the programming acquisition of one of the most popular, and successful soccer clubs in the world—Fútbol Club (FC) Barcelona which aired on April 25th on Fox Sports en Español. Barça TV showcases FC Barcelona’s historic and unforgettable moments from the past to the present. Over the years, Barça has attracted some of the best soccer players in the world, such as Diego Maradona (ARG), Ronaldo (BRA), Ronaldinho (BRA) and Lionel Messi (ARG).

Commenting on the acquisition, Maney stated, “Working with our friends at Schramm Sports & Entertainment Inc., we have acquired the rights to Barça TV, and we will continue to seek these types of new acquisitions to further enhance our program offerings.” The acquisition will feature classic matches between Barça and top rivals Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, RCD Espanyol and Valencia. Barça TV will also include the current matches of La Liga, Champions League, Copa del Rey, and international friendlies.

New Sales Strategy Revealed

Responding to the needs of the marketplace, Maney announced the restructuring of the Ad Sales Business unit, and the formation of a fully-integrated sales force called “Fox Sports en Español One Stop Media.” Maney explained, “More than just a new name, it is part of our continued commitment to be leaders in the marketplace, and to bring the best of breed-resources in embracing the new digital media world. From research capabilities to sales expertise across multiple mediums, our goal is to provide our clients with the skills, and resources to deliver the total 360 degree approach to media in this new digital age.”

Alejandro Luna Joins Fox Sports en Español

Alejandro Luna, a celebrated anchor who brings years of experience, will provide a fresh face to leading Spanish-language sports network adding yet more value to Fox Sports en Español. Luna, who comes to Fox Sports en Español from Univision, will be a key studio host, and bolster one of Spanish-language television’s leading on-air teams. He will cover all major club tournaments that Fox Sports en Español produces exclusively for the U.S. Hispanic Market. “We are thrilled to have someone of Alejandro’s caliber and talents join our team” said Dermot McQuarrie, Senior Vice President Programming and Production and Assistant General Manager of Fox Sports en Español.

Ahead of the Game with Leading Distribution

Fox Sports en Español added approximately 500,000 new households over the past year alone. Now in 4.5 million Hispanic households, the network recorded a seven percent increase in distribution across the top 10 Hispanic DMAs, and continues to bolster its category-leading distribution footprint with strong gains over CY06 in New York (+36%), Houston (+76%), and Phoenix (+17%) according to Nielsen’s FSE Receiveability Report Feb’07 vs. Feb’06.

A Fun Dynamic

For the third year in a row, the Hispanic media community enjoyed Fox Sports en Español’s renowned “Upfront Scavenger Hunt,” where players navigated through Fox Sports en Español’s various media platform—TV, print, online and mobile—in search of answers to industry-related questions and clues. “The Scavenger Hunt invites the media community to experience our integrated assets; allowing them to engage with our different capabilities, and showcase our brands in a fun and creative way,” stated Maney. This year’s lucky grand prize winner received an all-expense paid trip to the final of American Idol in addition to other prizes.