Univision unveils plans for Texas Democratic Party Presidential debate.

Univision Communications Inc. revealed its plans for comprehensive coverage of the February 21st Democratic debate with Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama. The debate is sponsored by CNN, Univision Communications Inc. and the Texas Democratic Party and presented by the Lyndon B. Johnson Foundation on behalf of the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the LBJ Library in conjunction with the University of Texas. Univision’s award-winning news anchor Jorge Ramos, who will be asking questions in English and Spanish, and CNN‘s chief national correspondent John King will both pose questions – the debate will be moderated by CNN anchor Campbell Brown.

The debate will air in Spanish at 11:30 p.m. (ET)/10:30 p.m. (CT) on the Univision Network, on Univision.com and on RadioCadena, Univision’s AM radio network.

Prior to Univision’s broadcast of the debate, online users will be able to submit questions and post opinions on Univision.com (keyword: Elecciones). The online debate coverage will include key highlights, behind-the-scenes coverage, exclusive interviews and recap videos immediately following the debate. Univision Móvil will also provide critical on-the-go coverage via a dedicated channel on its WAP portal, as well as debate recaps through its mobile video on-demand application. RadioCadena will host a pre-debate program at 10:30 pm (ET)/9:30 p.m. (CT) hosted by veteran journalists Javier Salas and Monica Delta, and political expert Roberto Rodriguez Tejera.

“We are proud to be hosting this important debate with CNN, the Texas Democratic Party and the LBJ Library Foundation in Austin, Texas,” said Joe Uva, CEO of Univision Communications Inc. “Our participation speaks to our unique connection to our viewers and to the importance of the Hispanic vote in the 2008 elections. For more than 40 years, Univision has maintained a strong commitment to informing the Hispanic community on the topics and issues that matter most to them.”

This debate forms part of Univision’s innovative and extensive 2008 election coverage, which has included two historic forums, with Democratic and Republican presidential candidates, focused exclusively on the issues impacting Hispanics and broadcast in Spanish. Univision has also broadcast extensive coverage of the elections, the candidates, and the primaries – including Super Tuesday – on its television, radio and online platforms. Coverage also includes exclusive interviews with candidates and political experts by Univision’s award winning news anchors and reporters during Univision’s evening news program, “Noticiero Univision,” and the Sunday morning newsmaker discussion program, “Al Punto” (To the Point).

Additionally, and as part of its commitment to the Hispanic community, Univision is partnering with leading Hispanic organizations on an unprecedented national civic engagement campaign coordinated to inform, educate and motivate Latinos to participate in America’s democracy called Ya Es Hora! (It’s Time). Since its launch, more than one million immigrants have applied for citizenship and record numbers of Hispanics are registering to vote. In additional to the National Association of Latino Elected Officials and the National Council of La Raza, more than 400 local community based organizations form part of the Ya Es Hora initiative.