Hispanic TV network distributor Olympusat has expanded its array of Spanish-language HD channels available to U.S. providers by unveiling a suite of 35 high-definition networks highlighted by its 16 owned-and-operated offerings.
The Olympusat channels comprise what is being marketed as “Ultra HD Plex,” and include Ultra Mex, an independent and contemporary Mexican film network; Ultra Film, the first HD movie network dedicated to airing contemporary global releases dubbed into Spanish; Ultra Cine, featuring award-winning and original films from across Iberoamérica; and Ultra Clasico, which features digitally remastered movies from the “Golden Age” of Mexican and Latin American cinema.
Additional Ultra HD Plex networks include channels for men, women and children, as well as programs that place the focus on music, comedy, documentaries, news and sports.
Until now, Olympusat’s more widely-known networks have included Cine Mexicano, CineClásico, Latele Novela Network and children’s offering ¡Sorpresa! The channels will continue to be distributed as part of Olympusat’s standard definition package.
"According to Nielsen, we know that Latinos prefer HD two to one over standard-definition channels," Olympusat CEO Tom Mohler said. "We want to bring our core audience more of what they want, and that is great programming in HD."
In addition to the Olympusat channels, the HD suite includes a variety of networks from Latin America for distribution in the U.S. market, including Venezuela’s Televen America, targeted to higher socioeconomic audiences; Chilean family entertainment offering Canal 13; pubcaster Puerto Rico Network; travel and lifestyle-focused Sun Channel; Ciudad Juarez-based indie Canal 44; Honduras’ Canal 10; and male-focused HMX -- El Canal del Hombre Moderno.
According to a company spokesperson, the Ultra HD Plex package will be available to all multichannel-TV distributors on Aug. 1; it is presently exclusive to customers of Verizon Communications’ FiOS TV. All other HD networks outside of the Ultra HD Plex are immediately available for distribution.
Concurrent with the launch of its HD suite, Olympusat has created two new strategic business units that split its telecom and entertainment businesses into unique entities. Olympusat Telecom will handle the company’s IPTV, Video Streaming and CDN offerings, while Olympusat Entertainment encompasses all aspects of film and TV production including feature-length and short films, music videos, industrial/corporate videos and commercials for local and national airing.
