Fox International Channels will launch a dedicated U.S.
domestic feed for Utilisima, a 24-hour, female-targeted Spanish-language
network that originated in Latin America and offers original content on food,
home improvement, health, beauty and parenting.
Starting in late July or early August, the U.S. feed hopes
to fill a void in the world of Spanish-language lifestyle television.
"English-language lifestyle networks focusing on food and
home design have thrived in the U.S. marketplace for years," Hernan Lopez, chief
operating officer of Fox International Channels, said in a statement. "However,
we also see a significant desire for original Spanish-language lifestyle
programming, and Utilisima U.S. will fulfill that need."
A Fox International Channels executive was not available for
comment by deadline.
The channel's international feed has been available in the
U.S. for years, but in anticipation of lanching a dedicated domestic feed -- and
following its 2009 launch on Dish Latino -- Fox has ramped up original
productions, with talent from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela and
other countries.
In addition to Dish, Utilisima is carried by Comcast,
Cablevision Systems, Time Warner Cable and Charter Communications, with the
company expected to announce new distribution deals in the coming months.
Created in 1996 as a women's-oriented lifestyle channel,
Utilisima became a unit of Fox International Channels in 2007.
