TV Azteca in Canada.

TV Azteca, S.A. de C.V. announced that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission granted a license to transmit the Azteca 13 signal in Canada through pay television on a national basis. The company expects to start transmitting its signal in April 2006.

“We further leverage the popular programming of Azteca 13 with the license, generating more revenue and solid profitability, and positioning ourselves as a superior programming alternative in a vibrant market,” said Marcel Vinay, Director of International Sales of TV Azteca. “The North-American Spanish-speaking community grows rapidly, both in size and purchasing power, and Canada is a notable example of this dynamism.”

The Spanish-speaking population in Canada is estimated to be half a million people, growing annually at a 3% rate — three times more that the national average — and has a high geographical concentration, since four major cities comprise approximately 60% of the Hispanics in that country.

“The license represents a great opportunity to gain audiences with a high purchasing power, who are the target of an increasing number of advertisers,” added Mr. Vinay. “An important segment of the Hispanic population in Canada knows the high quality content of TV Azteca, and it will be strongly attracted by many of our programming successes.”