Univision Communications – America’s leading Hispanic network – has acquired two television stations on the island state of Puerto Rico.
The Spanish-language broadcaster announced the purchase from Montgomery, Alabama-headquartered Raycom Media of WLII/WSUR, owner of stations WLII and WSUR, respectively based in the cities of San Juan and Ponce. It is also gaining production facilities and an affiliate agreement with WORA, which broadcasts in Mayaguez.
The acquisition marks Univision’s entry into the last US Hispanic territory yet to feel its presence. Reaching 93% of America’s 35.3 million Latin population, the broadcaster now adds 3.8m to its market coverage with the Puerto Rican purchase.
Univision will retain the duo’s current locally produced programming schedules, but may later introduce some of its own shows. However, the popular soap operas produced by Mexico’s Grupo Televisa which dominate Univision schedules in the mainland US – one of the main reasons for its success – are already broadcast in Puerto Rico by rival Telemundo Networks.
News source: Adweek.com
