Mexicanal Expands Coverage in Calif.

Multicast Rollouts in L.A., San Diego; Comcast Launches Net in Bay Area

by Laura Martinez -- Multichannel News, 2/4/2010 6:06:22 PM

The Mexicanal Network is building its distribution in California, with digital multicast distribution in Los Angeles (KBEH), San Diego (K5OLL) and Palm Springs (KMIR); as well as additional cable distribution with Comcast in San Francisco.


Mexicanal president Luis Torres-Bohl told Multichannel News the recent rollouts place channel in the nation's No. 1 Hispanic market, Los Angeles, home to the largest U.S. Mexican population. "Needless to say, it is the most important Hispanic market in the country," says Torres-Bohl.

Already available nationwide via DirecTV's satellite-TV platform, Mexicanal now reaches more than 4 million Hispanic homes through a mix of cable, satellite and multicast distribution. Its programming, which hails from a network of affiliate broadcasters and stations throughout Mexico, features news, sports and culturally relevant shows from throughout that country.

It is different from other Spanish-language channels in that it offers programming from Jalisco, Michoacán, Aguascalientes, Oaxaca, Chiapas and many other states that represent the hometowns of the majority of U.S.-based Mexican immigrants.

"Our newscasts don't come from Washington, D.C., Mexico City or Los Angeles," said Torres-Bohl, a native of Peru who claims to be "Mexican by choice."

Put together by a local team in a state-of-the-art production and transmission facility in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, Mexicanal prides itself of presenting a truly varied view of Mexico, with news and entertainment that focus on the country's different regions. A robust Web site complements programming offerings and serves as a platform to receive feedback from viewers both in Mexico and the U.S.

"We want to be available in several platforms, from television and the Internet to making our programs available on demand," adds Torres-Bohl.

As for future launches, the executive has his sight set on the heavy-Hispanic markets where it is not yet present via cable or multicast, including Denver and New York, two markets with a growing Mexican population.