Miami’s local TV experiment: Ready for primetime … NATIONALLY!

The energetic Mega TV, the creation of Raul Alarcon’s SBS is leaving little doubt of its intentions to become a bonafide player on the national scene. With the goal of reaching a television universe of more than 5 million households, the network has added important markets to its Miami base: New York, Houston, Dallas and Chicago, among others, now join stations in Orlando, Tampa and Puerto Rico, in addition to its national availability through the satellite services of DirecTV Mas.

“Regardless of what critics may say and against all stock market odds, “ an agency executive said, “Alarcon’s Mega is turning into a valid player.” The TV network, a brainchild of Alarcon Jr., and by all accounts powered by SBS Radio stations, has already begun to grab a measure of attention to some of its flagship programs such as “Esta Noche Tu Night,’ a music and comedy show that runs at 9:00pm. Monday through Friday.

Accepting that making a dent on Univision’s or Telemundo’s programming is a gigantic goal, it is no secret that Mega TV’s major competitor is America TeVe which recently announced a fusion of Carlos Barba’s CaribeVision, after apparent differences between its Madrid-based, Mexico City-based and Cuban-American partners made it impossible to continue as CV Network.

“Its a vibrant experiment trying to move to the national scene,” continued our source who feared that rumored one million plus salaries paid to some key on camera talent may be reason for concern.

“Omar Romay, the Argentinian-American who owns America TeVe, has built studios and seems intent on building critical mass with shows like Oscar Haza’s “A Mano Limpia’ and the 9:00pm show “Pellizcame Que Estoy Sonando,” added one source. “And Alarcon is putting the money where his mouth is, even if he has to make programming adjustments on the radio side, like getting rid of iconic Cuban comedian Guillermo Alvarez Guedes and DK Susie Leman.”

An ex-television executive whose past includes “careers at both Telemundo and Univision” expanded on the subject: “Alarcon’s passion and his track-record as a visionary have to be taken into account, He has access to cash no matter what anyone may say. On the other hand, Romay is known as thrifty and schrewed. But in the end, it’s the Mexican majority that composes the US Hispanic Market which will dictate the programming.”

Asked if he could foresee any surprises in the future, one source concluded: “While these new players still have to prove traction on a national scale, who knows what surprises may be in store. Maybe Alarcon will sell his network and become twice a billionaire!”