A collection of programs airing across six Mediaset Spain networks are now available for U.S. audiences, thanks to the creation of the internationally distributed CincoMas HD channel.
Programming for CincoMas is culled from the company’s highly popular Telecinco and Cuatro broadcast networks, in addition to the Factoría de Ficción, Boing, Divinity and Energy pay TV offerings.
CincoMas’ first stateside affiliate is WDFL Miami, branded as “Mira TV.” The station is available on Comcast, DirecTV and Atlantic Broadband systems in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale DMA and is distributed across Florida via AT&T U-verse TV.
"Mira TV is thrilled to be the first station that will provide productions from CincoMas to Hispanics in the United States, and Florida in particular," Mira TV general manager Judith Prado Lombard said. "This level of production will be a game-changer for all ‘traditional’ Spanish-language channels, both locally and nationally."
Said Xose Manuel Barreira, director of Mediaset Spain’s international channels: "We are all convinced that with the assortment of fiction, variety and entertainment programming of CincoMas, it will perfectly complement the local lineup of Mira TV.”
Mira TV has invested heavily in locally produced talk and news-oriented programs helmed by nationally known talent, including Maria Elvira Salazar and Rick Sanchez. However, sources tell Hispanic Television Update that advertising has not met expectations. Mira TV launched in spring 2014 following the demise of CNN Latino; WDFL was that network’s Miami affiliate and Salazar its most prominent on-air personality.
Now, Mira TV can complement its locally produced programs with Mediaset Spain's broad assortment of programming. A similar philosophy was employed by the now-defunct Telemiami, a cable channel that offered a local newscast anchored by Tomas Regalado, now Miami’s mayor, and featured programming from Spain’s Antena 3.
Among the selections Mira TV is expected to add to its lineup is El Príncipe, Spain’s most-watched series in 2014 and 2015; and the Grey’s Anatomy-like Hospital Central.
CincoMas programming is expected to launch on Mira TV in late August.
