Spain’s chief national broadcaster has upped its ante on reaching Spanish-speaking TV audiences across North America.

Corporación de Radio y Televisión Española, S.A., commonly known as RTVE, in mid-September finalized a deal with Castalia Communications that gives the Atlanta-based company exclusive representation rights in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada.

Specifically, Castalia will provide operators with access to TVE Internaciónal, which offers a mix of original programming airing across Spain on TVE 1 and TVE 2, and 24h, a Madrid-based Spanish-language news and information channel.

“We are very pleased to be selected by TVE to represent the premier channels from Spain in the U.S. and Canada,” Castalia president Luis Torres-Bohl said. “In addition to expanding the presence of TVE Internacional and 24h, we will focus on helping distributors and consumers learn more about TVE’s high-quality, culturally relevant programming.”

TVE marketing director Marta Abad added: “With a solid reputation for launching channels and programming worldwide, and a stronghold in North America, Castalia Communications is ideally positioned to strengthen the reach of our brands. We look forward to serving new audiences in the U.S. and Canada as the premier destination for Spanish news and entertainment.”

Castalia Communications, Atlanta-based parent of the Mexican programming service Mexicanal, said it has hired former Time Warner Cable programming executive Robert Watson as senior vice president, U.S. distribution. Castalia president and founder Luis Torres-Bohl said in a release that the hire demonstrates a ommitment to expand the global reach and services it provides in the distribution of linear channels and programming content throughout the Americas. Castalia said its clients include BBC World News, Rede Bandeirantes, China Central Television and Radio y Television Espanola.

Watson has more than 30 years of experience in the cable and telecommunications industry. Before becoming a consultant, he spent 16 years with Time Warner Cable, where he rose to become vice president of programming and new business development, based in New York City. While in this position, he handled the contract management for more than 500 cable and broadcast networks; helped fortify the company’s HDTV, VOD and international offerings; and launched several alternative tiers that generated revenue and new subscribers.

Torres-Bohl said in the release: “Bob joins our team at a critical point when the company is growing its distribution business in the U.S., Canada and Latin America.  We believe that his experience, intelligence, credibility and integrity will strengthen our capabilities and help us develop new and exciting linear and discrete content for existing as well as developing platforms, like IPTV, Mobile, SVOD.”

Watson's existing clients will come over to Castalia. They include Bermuda Cablevision and Crossings TV.