Upfront 2007-2008: Azteca America prepares for ‘New Day’ in Hispanic TV.

TV Azteca, S.A. de C.V. announced that its fully-owned subsidiary for the US Hispanic market, Azteca America, launched its fifth national upfront campaign in New York City.

The event gathered more than 900 people, primarily advertisers related to the dynamic US Hispanic market, who received information on the network’s coverage gains, a strengthened US sales operation, new programming options produced in both Mexico and the United States, as well as a multimedia platform and new media options that set the stage for increased growth for the 2007-2008 season.

“We had a solid sales growth of 29% in 2006, and we continue to fine tune our group of affiliated stations to offer more promotion and local programming options,” said Azteca America Chairman Luis J. Echarte. “We are particularly pleased to present new station options in Houston and Sacramento, as well as Portland. These are long-term relationships with affiliates who have proven to be excellent operators.”

In addition to Azteca America’s growing coverage, the network presented new music platforms, the best in sports programming, new reality show formats, novelas and returning hits. Azteca America also reiterated its commitment to offer the most dynamic network news coverage, as well as plans for local news programming in ten news markets.

“We are committed as a network to community involvements, and we are generating programs that are relevant to our audience, whether they are produced in our US or Mexican studios,” said Adrian Steckel, CEO of Azteca America.

As a fully integrated broadcast network, Azteca America proprietary programming offers product integration opportunities like no other Spanish language network in the US. Azteca America presents flexible and creative alternatives that go beyond traditional advertising, and provide with ample product recall among audiences, which is essential for a well-rounded media plan.

“Product integration capabilities of Azteca America are second to none in the industry,” said Bob Turner, President of Network Sales. “And our expanded sales team is committed to going beyond the 30-second spot for our clients.”

Azteca America CEO Adrian Steckel presented upcoming programming options that further boosts the network’s exciting programming grid, such as the music competition format Disco de Oro, and Azteca’s mega-production novelas Mientras Haya Vida and Se Busca un Hombre.

Other musical programming debuts include Premio de la Gente, Billboard Regional Latino Especial, Premio a la Música Regional, as well as Fiebre a la Danza. Sports options include top quality boxing from Boxeo Latino; a new series of the Ultimate Fighting Championships, the boxing reality show Retador Azteca and the sports commentary programs DeporTV America and Tiempo Extra. Talk, variety and comedy shows include Bienvenido a Casa, with Omar Fierro, Sexo Sentido and Peor es Nada. Reality shows for the upcoming season include Suegras II, La Academia, La Academia USA and Cambio Extremo. Additionally, a programming agreement with Discovery Networks will bring top shows for both adults and children. Finally, returning hits like Ventaneando America and Historias Engarzadas will complement newscasts and entertainment shows produced in Azteca America’s digital studio in LA, and much more.

The strong programming will also have new media outlets thanks to an all-new entertainment website http://www.aztecaamerica.com, which is powered by Terra Networks, as well as mobile telephony options through MobiTV, and interactive SMS voting in our reality shows, among other new media options.