Time Warner Kicks ESPN Deportes Into High Gear in L.A.
Spanish-language Network Adds 1 Million Homes Via Time Warner Cable in L.A.
By R. Thomas Umstead -- Multichannel News, 3/10/2008 1:30:00 PM
ESPN Deportes will add 1 million homes to its subscriber count with the launch of the Spanish-language sports network in Time Warner Cable’s Los Angeles region, the network said Monday.
The network’s launch on Time Warner Cable’s variety digital tier coincides with the network’s exclusive Spanish-language telecasts of soccer’s 2008 CONCACAF U-23 Tournament from which two countries will advance to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
The deal, part of a comprehensive carriage deal announced last year, brings ESPN Deportes to more than 6 million homes--including 4.5 million Hispanic households.
“This is a significant milestone in our efforts to get ESPN Deportes in the homes of Latino sports fans nationwide,” said David Preschlack, executive vice president of affiliate sales and marketing for Disney and ESPN Media Networks.
“Los Angeles is the largest Hispanic market in the United States and we’re thrilled that so many Time Warner Cable subscribers in the region will now have access to the network and its incredible lineup of Spanish-language programming," he added.
Time Warner Cable region president Stephen Pagano said that “Time Warner Cable Los Angeles is pleased to make ESPN Deportes available to more homes in Southern California. With this launch, more Hispanic sports fans throughout the region can enjoy quality, exclusive games and sports coverage for the first time.”
The qualification tournament kicks off Tuesday and concludes March 23.
