Television

TV Azteca announced that its fully-owned subsidiary for the US Hispanic market, Azteca America, has reached official national network status with a Nielsen coverage of around 70%.

Recent pay TV carriage agreements with Comcast, Cox, Time Warner, Echostar and DirecTV in several different markets have strengthened Azteca America’s affiliate distribution, which now stands at 39 markets, 30 of them with pay TV coverage: cable or direct broadcast satellite. The 39 market figure is due to the recent addition of a McGraw Hill station in Colorado Springs. These markets are home to 77% of the total US Hispanic population.

Despite Strong Audience Momentum, Spanish-Language TV giant Univision turned in relatively modest first quarter results, raising questions about whether it can convert its formidable share of TV viewing into a corresponding advertising market share.

Grupo Televisa Chairman Emilio Azcarraga Jean and Executive Vice President Alfonso De Angoitia resigned their posts as directors of Univision Communications.

The resignations feed fuel to the fire of riffs between Mexican TV giant Televisa and Univision Communications, stemming from the Univision Communications decision to name Ray Rodriguez COO of the company and royalties due to Televisa from Univision.

The Mexican TV giant Televisa has file a suit against Univision Communications for royalties due Televisa. These occurrences come at a precise time during the week prior to the very important 2005 Upfront Season next week.