Mun2 Transforms, Leans Into Sports Programming

NEW YORK — As it moves toward a network transformation, mun2 will continue to add more linear properties and digital content from NBC Sports Group.

The 40 million-subscriber channel will unveil a new name on Feb. 1, 2015, when it will air a Spanish-languge telecast of Super Bowl XLIX, its first go-round with the National Football League’s championship game, according to mun2 president Rubén Mendiola, who was speaking at the Hispanic Television Summit here on Oct. 2. (Corporate sibling NBC is set to present the English-language telecast.)

Mendiola was joined by legendary soccer commentator Andrés Cantor of Telemundo and Gary Zenkel, president of NBC Olympics and president, operations and strategy, NBC Sports Group, in detailing some of the changes that are reshaping mun2.

“We believe that mun2 can grow into a much bigger channel for Latinos, encompassing their most prized possession, sports,” Mendiola said.

He said that mun2 is integrating trivia segments into its English Premier League telecasts as a means to better explain to viewers what the top U.K. soccer circuit is all about. With 100 games scheduled during the 2014-15 season, the Premiership is off to a fast start on mun2: The network has scored a 189% audience advance with its EPL coverage thus far this season, Mendiola said.

The network’s growing sports lineup also features World Wrestling Entertainment in primetime, soccer matches from Mexico’s Liga MX and a five-game NFL slate that will culminate with the “big game” on Feb. 1.

“I’m very excited about this and I hope that everyone who speaks Spanish will be able to enjoy everything we have to offer,” Mendiola said.