V-me 2008-2009.

At its first upfront, 14-month-old V-me proved why it is the fastest growing Hispanic TV network in the US. During the upfront event held today at New York City’s Samsung Experience, the network unveiled its rapidly growing distribution, advertising opportunities and its 2008-2009 programming season, featuring a mix of high-energy, smart, engaging content for all members of the Hispanic household.

NATIONAL REACH & LOCAL IMPACT

V-me’s present national distribution reaching 6 million Hispanic TV homes has been validated by Nielsen. These 6 million homes, representing 50% of all US Hispanic homes, are part of the 38 million households V-me reaches nationwide. V-me is already broadcast over-the-air as a digital channel by 33 public television stations in the most important Hispanic markets in the US. From New York to Los Angeles, Miami to San Francisco most of the top 30 Hispanic DMAs already enjoy V-me. In each of these markets, V-me is presented as a basic digital channel so that subscribers can receive V-me without having to pay extra for a “Latino package.” Similarly, V-me is carried nationally by Dish Network and DirecTV as part of their basic packages.

But this is just the beginning for V-me. On February 17, 2009 television as we know it will change forever as all broadcast signals become digital. As a broadcast channel with free over-the-air distribution in those 33 markets, V-me will become one of the top three players in the Hispanic market reaching more than 80% of Hispanic homes.

“Thanks to our public television network affiliates who already broadcast V-me and those slated to join us later this year, V-me will have a reach similar to that of Univision and Telemundo,” V-me President, Carmen DiRienzo told the audience. “Viewers can watch V-me over-the-air, on satellite, on DISH Network, on DirecTV or on cable.

VIEWERS & OPPORTUNITY

V-me is currently working with Nielsen as they calibrate the V-me universe. In advance of ratings, the network highlighted some recent research findings:

o In a recent national sample of US Hispanic consumers;
o 2/3 of people who know about V-me watch more than once a week;
o 80% of V-me’s viewers call V-me a strong, high-quality alternative to Univision and Telemundo;
o And in a study of visitors to VmeTV.com
o 93% call the programming good to excellent;
o 60% watch V-me every day and 90% watch more than twice a week;
o 97% plan to keep watching V-me; 96% tell their friends and family about V-me;
o V-me’viewers feel comfortable in both English and Spanish: 2/3 speak more Spanish at home and 2/3 speak more English outside the home.

“Consumers embrace V-me, engage with our content, are loyal viewers and brand ambassadors,” explained John Begert, SVP marketing and branding. “V-me’s viewers can watch programming in both languages but they are choosing to watch V-me. Everyday wour viewers ell us how happy and proud they are to have V-me in their community and their lives. That means that we are more than just great programs, we are a great brand.”

“V-me is a brand that other bands want to associate with,” said SVP and National Sales Director, Frank Donaldson. “Our opportunities for clients and agencies include – but go well beyond – the 30-second spot — from full-on program underwriting and entitlement, short-form programming, special in-program features and segments to mobile and online engagement. V-me’s multiplatform distribution takes the network wherever the viewers are.”

2008-2009 PROGRAMMING

V-me is committed to filling the programming gap that exists in Spanish TV landscape by developing content that empowers, entertains and inspires the audience.

PRESCHOOL

For parents and the more than 5 million Hispanic children under the age of six in the US, V-me has created the strongest preschool offering in the market. With a catalog of more then 400 hours of carefully selected programming, V-me broadcasts six hours per day, six days per week.

Companies such as Sesame Workshop, HiT Entertainment, The Jim Hensen Company and many others have selected V-me as the right environment to present their properties to a US Latino audience. With most of the shows premiering for the first time in the US.

With shows from Spain like the Baby Triplets, Connie the Cow, Seven Pets and Dougie in Disguise, V-me helps children expand their vocabulary, experience nature and understand the world around them. Hoobs, a Hensen creation, introduces little children to the Internet and modern communications. Cyberchase and Number Jacks develop basic numeracy skills, while the award-winning Franny’s Feet allows children to understand foreign cultures and use their imagination.

V-me will soon premiere The Fairies, its first original preschool production. This show is based on a very successful international format, and V-me has worldwide Spanish speaking rights. The program also carries numerous merchandising opportunities.

“V-me is a place parents can trust knowing their young kids are watching the highest quality programming in the world and that when the TV is turned off, something good will still remain,” said Guillermo Sierra, SVP, chief content officer.

LIFESTYLE

V-me announced Tu Bebe, a new show that will accompany fathers and mothers-to-be through their pregnancy and the first year of the baby’s life. Tu Bebe and its unique reality-based format gives V-me viewers an up close experience as they share this incredible adventure with other couples. Hosted by Gaby Rivero, Tu Bebe provides very attractive and emotional entertainment and will become a major destination for young mothers and women 18 to 49.

“Tu Bebe creates an integrated opportunity for sponsors to get involved on-air, online and through outreach,” explained Donaldson. “This is an amazing opportunity for brands to reach women in an environment they trust.”

V-me is home to the Peabody award winning, Los Ninos en su Casa, a program that provide much-needed information for parents and caregivers. This show, produced by V-me’s station partner, KCET in Los Angeles, was recently nominated for a daytime Emmy.

V-me announced its expanded, exclusive partnership with The Food Network. Original productions in Spanish and exclusive US Hispanic premieres combine the Food Network’s unique approach. Mas Sabor en Menos Tiempo and Nuestra Cocina are two series exclusive to V-Me consistently generate great response from viewers.

And since food is serious business, V-me’s lineup will include Negocio Redondo (My Restaurant Rules) following five couples competing against each other to make it in the demanding restaurant industry.

Every morning V-me starts the day with its original high-definition production, Aire Yoga. Hosted by Anna Silvetti, the program is now offered on DVD due to popular demand from viewers.

House and home is a major component of V-me’s lifestyle programming. En Venta (The Block) pits four couples against each other as they completely remake identical apartments on a modest budget with little time – all while maintaining their day jobs. V-me plans a domestic production of this successful worldwide format for 2009.

V-me gives viewers a test drive every week with its co-production of MotorWeek, a truly up-to-date automotive magazine show that is the ultimate destination for male audiences and anyone interested in the world of motors.

“In the warmth of the kitchen, in making our homes better, traveling the world or zooming through it, V-me gives new meaning to the term lifestyle. Every weekday afternoon and Sunday mornings, viewers now have access to a new lifestyle in V-me,” added Sierra.

SPORTS

V-me’s sports offer goes beyond soccer.

Four times per night, V-me Deportes sports bulletins keeps sports fans informed with up-to-the-minute scores and headlines.

The network’s weekly journal TransWorld Sports produced in association with IMG, one of the most important sports distributors in the world, brings all the excitement of major international events.

Later this summer V-me will also bring the latest news from Beijing as the world comes together to celebrate sportsmanship.

Coming this fall, V-me will present the Volvo-Race, one of the toughest competitions in the world. A must see for sports fanatics and for those who crave adventure.

For a rush of adrenalin, V-me’s extreme sports program, Paradise is a mix of the most exciting activities in extraordinary locations.

MUSIC

The beats of Latin, pop, rock, alternative and classical music combine to offer the most complete line-up of music in Spanish television.

V-me’s original production, Estudio Billboard offers in-depth one-on-one interviews with top Latin artists. Produced in collaboration with Billboard Magazine and hosted by the ultimate Latin music insider, Leila Cobo. Every week Estudio Billboard invites performers like Juanes, Mana, Gloria Estefan, Jose Feliciano, Juan Luis Guerra, Laura Pausini and many others for an intimate conversation. V-me will begin production on the second season of Estudio Billboard very soon.

V-me’s Sesiones con Alejandro Franco opens a space for new up and coming talents and the alternative groups from around the globe that young audiences love. Rock Road is an amazing rockumentary where Soda Stereo’s Zeta Bassio travels the globe to catch the world’s most important rock festivals.

Escenario is the stage for great performances of international stars, classical music, opera, ballet, musical theater and other important events.

MOVIES & MINI-SERIES

V-me brings the best of contemporary Latin Cinema each week. Later this spring, V-me original En Pantalla will introduce each film and review what has happened in the world of cinema that week.

V-me is also offering a great new entertainment option with weekly dramatic mini-series, big-budget international productions making their US premieres. Biographies, literary adaptations and amazing stories that create appointment viewing and transform a weeknight into a big event.

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

Directly from V-me’s New York studios, V-me Noticias brings information seven times per night, at the top of the hour. A young talented team led by Luis Sarmiento provides headlines that matter, keeping V-me’s viewers connected and informed.

Every night, V-me’s original production Viva Voz con Jorge Gestoso is the ultimate destination for engaging discussion. Covering a wide variety of topics and points of view, internationally acclaimed journalist Jorge Gestoso and his team of hosts have revealing conversations with important guests from the world of politics, sports, entertainment and more.

V-me has partnered with the New York Times in the newspaper’s first ever Spanish initiative, Paginas: The New York Times, hosted by well-know journalist, Marian de La Fuente, provides a weekly review of news, lifestyle and features.

V-me’s production La Plaza Conversaciones con Maria Hinojosa presents the point of view of Hispanics in the US who are making a difference. Pulitizer prize winner Andres Oppenheimer keeps the Latin American perspective front and center in Oppenheimer Presenta.

Wide Angle: Cronicas de Nuestro Tiempo, Expose: Reportajes de Investigacion and Religion and Ethics: Creencias set new standards and responds to the demand of Hispanics who want to know what is happening all over the world.

FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT – PLANET & TECH

V-me opens a window to the world presenting the largest block of natural history on Spanish network television. With world-class content from BBC Worldwide, National Geographic and WNET, V-me presents exclusive Spanish versions of NATURE, Wild Chronicles, Africa Salvaje, Dinosaur Detectives and Big Cat Diary.

V-me also takes a close look at how human beings shape the planet, and the discoveries and inventions that make life better. In Los Nuevos Detectives V-me brings science to crime solving and Diagnostico X presents compelling medical cases. MegaCiudades and Mega Estructuras provide exciting views on how big challenges call for huge solutions.