The largest affiliate group for NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises’ Telemundo broadcast TV network is Gray Media. That won’t be changing for the next several years, thanks to an expanded partnership that sees a multi-year affiliation agreement get signed by the Atlanta-headquartered company led by Hilton Howell Jr. and Pat LaPlatney.
The new Gray Media deal with Telemundo comes on the eve of Super Bowl LX, which Telemundo will air in Spanish, and the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, hosted at venues across North America.
As part of the expanded agreement, the Dayton-Springfield DMA is getting an over-the-air broadcast TV home for Telemundo via WZCD-LD.
Additional new affiliates in the Gray family include WTVL-CD and WDNN-CD in the Chattanooga, Tenn., DMA; and KNGC-LD in Lafayette, La.
“This expanded relationship with Telemundo demonstrates Gray’s deep commitment to serving this fast-growing viewer and business segment in America,” said Susan Sim Oh, Sr. VP of Strategy and Operations of the Gray Telemundo Affiliate Station Group. “We are excited to continue our strong partnership with Telemundo to deliver high-quality Spanish-language content, sports, and news that resonates with US Hispanic audiences. This growth directly reflects our corporate mission to be the trusted news source in every community we serve.”
WKAQ-TV GETS A ‘FAST’ PATH TO MAINLAND U.S.
In related news, consumers of Spanish-language television across the U.S. that use The Roku Channel can now enjoy a wide swath of programming produced and distributed by NBCUniversal Local’s Telemundo Station Group in Puerto Rico. It marks the first availability of “Telemundo Puerto Rico” — WKAQ-2 in San Juan — in the mainland U.S.
For those from Orlando to New York, access to Telemundo Puerto Rico as a free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel delivers WKAQ’s original entertainment and news programming. Additional streaming services and connected TV platforms are forthcoming.
“WKAQ has a tremendous legacy serving the residents of Puerto Rico with content that celebrates and connects their communities, so we are very pleased to extend their reach to those with Puerto Rican heritage and other Spanish-speaking audiences in the U.S.,” said Valari Staab, Chair of NBCU Local. “This channel showcases the great work of our talented local production teams and dedicated journalists in San Juan.”
The new 24/7 Spanish-language streaming channel features the entire lineup of original entertainment and news content produced by WKAQ-2, with the streaming channel providing a simulcast and encore presentations of WKAQ’s programs.
“WKAQ’s iconic content has connected, informed and entertained the Puerto Rican community for generations, making it an indelible part of the island’s culture and history,” said Hispanic media veteran José Cancela, President of Telemundo Station Group. “The launch of this free streaming channel now allows Telemundo Puerto Rico’s robust, entertainment-centric lineup and storied journalism to engage audiences in new ways and in new places across the U.S.”
