The AzA Gazette

The AzA Gazette
AzA Gazette
The Azteca America Newsletter
1
F e b r u a r y 2 0 11 • E d i t i o n 4
The Azteca America Monthly Newsletter for Clients, Friends and Associates
UVM
Broadcasts
With
Full Power
Stations in
Houston and
Dallas
Content
Starting the Year Out Right 2
Azteca America San Diego
Extends Analog Coverage 3
The Juguetón Toy Drive
Visits Los Angeles and
McAllen
4
Mexican Soccer Is Back! 5
Azteca Attracts New
Acting Talent
6
Esmeralda Crowned
Winner of La Academia
Bicentenario
7
Names & Faces
The Noticiero Azteca
America News Team
8
Contacts8
Congratulations go out to Una Vez Mas
(UVM), our largest affiliate group, which
is now broadcasting through full-power 1
megawatt digital transmitters at KYAZ-51
in Houston and KAZD-55 in Dallas. The
migration from existing low-power stations
is the result of a concerted effort to identify
and acquire full-power options in the fourth
and fifth-largest Hispanic DMAs of Houston
and Dallas, respectively.
UVM CEO Terry Crosby and President Randy Nonberg
“We prioritized these two markets several years ago as important for full-power over-the-air signals
because of the geography of the DMAs,” said Terry Crosby, one of the founders and CEO of UVM.
“Once the market opportunity arose, we knew this was where we wanted to be.”
The stations were purchased from a pending Johnson Broadcasting bankruptcy. UVM previously
broadcast on low-power stations KLEG in Dallas and KUVM in Houston.
“These acquisitions represent a major step forward for our company,” added Randy Nonberg, cofounder of UVM and company President.
The acquisitions are added to important boosting of UVM’s executive ranks.
UVM tapped 18-year Univision veteran Paula Peden last year to become COO of UVM. The company
has also hired noteworthy industry executives Tony Canales and Luis Hernandez to head up the
Houston and Dallas stations, respectively.
The new station roll out includes an extensive multi-media marketing effort with radio, print media,
outdoor and on-air promotions.
AzA Gazette
The Azteca America Newsletter
2
Starting the Year Out Right
Last year closed with exciting news from our Una Vez Mas affiliate: their full-power stations in Dallas
and Houston were on the air.
But the distribution news doesn’t stop there. We’re also pleased to congratulate McGraw Hill for the
extension of analog coverage in San Diego.
The addition of the new stations and the buildout puts us on par or beyond our competitors with
distribution in these markets, which are key for the growth of Azteca America.
The distribution gains were added to record-breaking prime-time viewership for the first month of the
year, about 50% above the same period last year.
We are also relaunching our network news, featuring Roberto Ruiz, Christian Lara
and Armando Guzmán in an exciting new format.
You’ll find in this issue a recap of the final of our musical reality show La Academia Bicentenario, a brief
update on new talent at TV Azteca and a preview of the current soccer season, among other exciting
news.
We look to build on these promising events throughout the year. Increased viewership and distribution
combined with a recovering advertising market can make for a virtuous circle that bodes well for
Azteca America.
Thank you,
Martin Breidsprecher
AzA Gazette
The Azteca America Newsletter
3
Azteca
America
San Diego
Extends
Analog
Coverage
In a move to extend the reach
of Azteca America San Diego
into analog homes in the South
Bay area, KZSD has moved its
analog antenna about 30 miles
south from Mt. Woodson to Mt.
Miguel east of Chula Vista, which
is about 10 miles from the
Mexican border. As part of the
relocation, the FCC required a
channel change from channel
41 to channel 39.
Viewers across San Diego have
enjoyed the programming of
Azteca America San Diego for
the last five years on Cox cable,
Dish Network and over the last
two years, on digital channel 1015. But many television homes
in the South Bay area of San
Diego, which are communities
with high populations of
Hispanic residents, continue to
watch television with an analog
antenna, receiving much of their
programming from the stations
in Mexico. Some data points to
about 15% of these homes using
only an antenna TV. In addition,
many homes have secondary
televisions in their home with
only an antenna connected.
Now analog antenna viewers in Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City, San Ysidro, Lemon Grove and surrounding communities can enjoy
all the exciting programming of Azteca America San Diego. As more of these homes convert to digital television, they will be able to watch
on the full power digital channel 10-15.
Additional information on the channel change, as well as updated news and programming information is available on www.AztecaSD.com.
AzA Gazette
The Azteca America Newsletter
4
The Juguetón Toy Drive Visits
Los Angeles and McAllen
For the third consecutive year, Azteca America, in collaboration
with Fundación Azteca America and Fundación Hermes Music,
organized its Juguetón toy drive in Los Angeles and this year in
McAllen.The events included celebrity guests from Azteca America
and renowned musicians such as Elefante, a triple Grammy
nominated Spanish-language pop sensation.
The Los Angeles event benefited organizations that included:White
Memorial Hospital, Union de Discapacitados Latinoamericanos,
Guadalupe Radio, Woodcraft Rangers, The Special Angels of
Lynwood and the Santa Cop Program from South Gate’s Police
Department.
Juguetón founder Jorge Garralda with Rubén Hernández, President of La
Unión de Discapacitados Latinoamericanos and Georgina Ivette Hernández,
host of Hit M3
The event took place at South Gate Park where more than 35,000
people gathered. Juguetón founder Jorge Garralda said he was
especially proud to return to the United States with the event and
the ability to continue the tradition with new generations.
The McAllen Juguetón was held at the Ramon Ayala’s Annual
Posada, where music sensations Jenni Rivera and Lorenzo de
Montecarlo kept spirits high.
The 25,000 toys distributed at the events were added to the over
15 million toys that were distributed during the holiday season
throughout Mexico.
“We get great satisfaction in being able to help the parents of
these children during the Christmas season and we’re proud to
bring the tradition of Juguetón to the Latino community,” said
Azteca America COO Martin Breidsprecher.
Azteca America COO Martín
Breidsprecher and Azteca Stations
Group Director Jorge Jaidar kick off
the Juguetón together with Alberto
Kreimerman, President of Fundación
Hermes Music and Juan Carlos
Medoza, Adjunct Consul of Mexico in
LA, among others
AzA Gazette
The Azteca America Newsletter
5
Mexican
Soccer Is
Back!
The 2011 closing or “clausura” season is
under way with all of the excitement of FLM
soccer.
At the time of publishing, as of week 3,
Azteca America teams Cruz Azul, Monarcas
Morelia, Jaguares of Chiapas and Puebla
were at the top of their groups.
Necaxa, however, had a slow start, losing its
first three matches. Unfortunately, losses are
a luxury that Necaxa cannot afford, since it
is currently the worst team in the league and
will descend to the Second Division if it has
anything less than a spectacular season.
The recent Jaguares-America match, which
resulted in a 2-2 draw, attracted record
audiences for many local affiliates and
posted solid audiences on a network level.
Despite a lukewarm start, Cruz Azul is
profiling as a strong contender to make it to
the finals. Last season the squad had the best
regular season record, but was eliminated in
the playoffs by Pumas. However, Cruz Azul
strengthened its mid field during the off
season with the Chileans Waldo Ponce and
Hugo Droguett, as well as the Uruguayan
Marcelo Palau.
Network News Returns With
Noticiero Nacional Azteca America
The seasoned team of television journalists including anchors Rober to Ruiz and Christian Lara, and
Washington correspondent Armando Guzmán are back with the evening Noticiero Nacional Azteca
America network newscast.
The newscast includes a news bureau in Los Angeles headed by María Elena García Villalobos
in addition to regional news repor ting teams throughout the country.
The broadcast is also suppor ted by the Azteca Noticias team of over 400 repor ters,
correspondents and analysts throughout the world.
Airing weekdays at 5 pm / 4 pm CST, Noticiero Nacional Azteca America is the
first network broadcast of the evening, featuring the top news of the day that
directly affects Latinos, as well as compelling stories from Mexico, Latin
America, and the rest of the world.
AzA Gazette
The Azteca America Newsletter
6
Azteca Attracts New
Acting Talent
2010 was an important year
for TV Azteca and Azteca
America, and the area of talent
procurement was no exception.
Throughout the year, contracts
were signed with internationally
recognized actors such as
Mauricio Aspe, Raquel Bigorra,
Mauricio Islas, Mauricio Barcelata, Ariel López Padilla, Eduardo
Arroyuelo, Lili Brillanti and
Daniel Elbittar.
Lili Brillanti
Also new to the Azteca ranks
are Edith González, Gabriela
Spanic, Bibi Gaytán, Eduardo
Capetillo, Michelle Veith, and the
children’s favorite Tatiana.
“Our new talent is a welcome
addition to our existing, vast
pool of actors,” said Alberto
Santini Lara, Executive Vice
President of Programming,
Production and Marketing for
Azteca America, as well as CEO
of Mexico’s Azteca Novelas
and Azteca 13. “Our exciting
upcoming productions are an
important attraction for talent
throughout Mexico and the rest
of Latin America.”
Gabriela Spanic
Michelle Veith
Edith González
Tatiana
Bibi Gaytán with Eduardo Capetillo
AzA Gazette
The Azteca America Newsletter
7
Esmeralda
Crowned
Winner of
La Academia
Bicentenario
Following 14 weeks of hard work, the lovely
Esmeralda Ugalde was crowned the winner
of the La Academia Bicentenario musical
reality show.
Esmeralda, the sister of the well-known
grupera singer Ana Barbara, was awarded
the grand prize of almost 100,000 dollars,
in addition to an opportunity to headline
a series of concerts in Mexico’s Auditorio
Nacional alongside the legendary Mexican
regional music star Espinoza Paz.
Second and third places were awarded
to the Chilean singer Carolina Soto and
Edgar García from the state of Tamaulipas,
respectively.
There was also a special award presented
on behalf of Azteca America for outstanding
international talent that was given to Paolo
Rogone, of Argentina.
In addition to the cultivation of future
entertainment and recording stars, La
Academia Bicentenario was also notable
for the participation of established
international musicians, including: Olga
Tañón, Martha Sánchez, Mónica Naranjo,
Gaby Spanic, Horóscopos de Durango,
Tatiana, Elvis Crespo, Yolanda Be Cool and
Espinoza Paz, among others.
“This was an exceptional season of La
Academia that was important in bringing
together families and top musical talent,”
said Alberto Santini Lara, Executive VP of
Production, Programming and Marketing,
and Director of Azteca 13 and Azteca
Novelas in Mexico.
The judging panel Chacho Gaytán, Martha Sánchez
and Arturo López Gavito
The winner, Esmeralda!
Hosts Ingrid Coronado and Rafael Araneda
AzA Gazette
The Azteca America Newsletter
8
Names & Faces
The Noticiero Azteca America News Team
Roberto Ruiz
Born in Guadalajara, Roberto anchored the morning news show Informativo del Sistema Jalisciense de Radio y
Televisión, where he also served as a reporter. He later joined TV Azteca in Guadalajara where he hosted the
local news programs Info 7 AM and Info 7 Noche.
Christian Lara
Christian began working as a production assistant and head of information at TV Azteca Bajio. She later went
on to anchor the Hechos Bajio newscast in addition to working as a correspondent for the network news
with Fuerza Informativa Azteca. She joined the national morning newscast team at Hechos AM, as well as coanchoring Hechos Sábado with Mariano Riva Palacios. She has also alternated with Edith Serrano in the Buenas
Noches segment of the national Hechos Noche newscast in Mexico with Javier Alatorre. She has won numerous
journalism awards in Mexico, including the El Micrófono de Oro, Laurel de Oro and the Pedro de Lille award.
Armando Guzmán
Armando is one of the most recognized and respected Latino journalists in Washington. He has covered
Congress and the White House for over two decades and has received the Edward R. Murrow and the Premio
National de Periodismo awards. Aside from regular coverage from Washington, he hosts the Issues: Caras y
Voces special news segment on Tuesdays.
Contacts:
EXECUTIVES:
Luis J. Echarte, Chairman
Adrian Steckel, President and
CEO
Operations:
Martin Breidsprecher, COO
(310) 432 7645
mbreidsprecher@aztecaamerica.com
Executive VP of Programming,
Production and Marketing
Alberto Santini Lara
011 52 (55) 17201313
Ext. 30816
asantini@tvazteca.com.mx
Sales: Bob Turner
(646) 360-1758
bturner@aztecaamerica.com
Distribution and Affiliate
Relations:
Juan Pablo Álvarez
011 52 (55) 1720 1313
ext. 39803
jpalvarez@aztecaamerica.com
Programming Manager:
Sergio Romero
011 52 (55) 17201313
Ext. 25327
sromeros@tvazteca.com.mx
Fundación Azteca America:
Nathalie Rayes
203 689 5127
nrayes@aztecaamerica.com
For further contacts see our
website
Azteca Stations Group:
Jorge Jaidar
(818) 844-1441
jjaidar@aztecaamerica.com
A Grupo Salinas Company
www.gruposalinas.com
Editorial Committee
Daniel McCosh, Editor
Linda Garcidueñas
Lorena Herrera
Juan Pablo Álvarez
Ricardo Becerra
Angélica Bengolea
Sergio Romero
Bruno Rangel
Nathalie Rayes
About Azteca America
Azteca America is the alternative choice in broadcast television
for Spanish speaking families residing in the United States.
Azteca America operates in 66 markets nationwide, and can
also be seen on DIRECTV Mas Channel 441 (AZA 441) and
DISH Network Channel 825. Wholly owned by Mexican
broadcaster TV Azteca, S.A. de C.V., Azteca America has access
to the best programming from TV Azteca’s three national
networks, including a library with over 200,000 hours of original
programming and news from local bureaus in 32 Mexican
states. The network complements Mexican programming with
an innovative line-up of shows from international producers
and distributors to ensure the finest programming for Spanishspeaking viewers and unique advertising solutions for partners
seeking to reach the most dynamic market in the country.