Courting the Latino viewers

As the Latino population keeps growing, it is hard for big companies to not take notice. Especially since the Latino community represents a powerful buying power. A buying power that larger companies and mainstream media are trying to attract by openly courting the Latino consumer.

This means offering products and services that Latinos connect with, that might remind them of home, and that don’t treat them like just any other consumer. We’ve mentioned before how English-language novelas are trying to make their mark, and that it’s very easy to watch Spanish-language TV on your computers.

Now, Verizon FiOs is taking this one step further as the first network to offer the most Spanish-language channels – 75 in all, 10 of which are in HD. “Our customers have told us that high-quality Spanish-language programming helps to keep their culture alive, and we’re helping to make that happen by giving them the content that they want,” said Michelle Webb, director of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon.

For those of you considering adding the Spanish-language package to your service, here is a look at what the 10 HD channels will bring you:

• Ultra Cine – shows original films from Mexico, Spain and Latin America, shown in their original Spanish format.

• Ultra Fiesta – features the best in Latin music from music videos, news, concerts and much more.

• Ultra Kidz – an entertainment channel for kids, from pre-school to teenagers.

• Ultra Mex – features truly contemporary Mexican films with the best actors and directors from Mexico.

• Ultra Luna – delivers new and edgy telenovelas, as well as captivating series and programming that always has the female audience in mind.

• Ultra Macho – features the best in travel, extreme sports, late night adult series, news, reality shows for the male audience.

• Ultra Film – airs modern films from around the world dubbed into Spanish for the U.S. Hispanic audience.

• Ultra Docu – features documentaries on Latin American topics, as well as lifestyle and human-interest programming from around the globe.

• Ultra Clásico –  features iconic classics and award winning Latin American movies from 1930-1980 fully restored to their original glory.

• Multimedios – features programming for the entire family including news, music, game shows, sports, reality TV and programs for children and women that are among the most tweeted TV programs on Mexican television.

What stands out most about the channels that are offered, is that they are not just merely American shows dubbed in Spanish (although that is available), but original and classic content originally produced in Spanish, and from the countries that we know and love. Offering such content is a step in the right direction in acknowledging Latinos as an integral part of American society and culture, and getting past the stereotypical favorite characters of mainstream media.