With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting such Hispanic population hubs as New York and California, Spanish-language television broadcasters have stepped up their efforts to serve as a first destination to concerned citizens craving coronavirus updates in the language of their preference.
These efforts are not limited to Telemundo and Univision.
Burbank, Calif.-based Estrella Media and its EstrellaTV broadcast TV network serving Spanish speakers has expanded its news coverage of the Coronavirus pandemic.
This includes the launch of a one-hour newscast “Noticiero EstrellaTV: Reportaje Especial, Coronavirus la Pandemia,” which debuted Monday (3/16).
This national newscast is hosted by lead network anchor Mirthala Salinas (pictured), and airs in the 4pm hour. The focus is on information as it relates to the national health crisis and its impact on the Hispanic community.
Salinas is also anchoring a 9pm newscast, while weekday national news shows at Noon will be anchored by Carlos Trillo and Wendy Castillo.
The newscasts are in addition to the network’s regularly scheduled Noticiero EstrellaTV at 5:30pm and Cierre de Edición at 10:30pm, as well as local newscasts in Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston and Miami.
“Our extended coverage will feature experts from the medical, financial and government sectors from across the country and will provide our viewers the most up to date information regarding preventing the spread of the virus, keeping their families safe and healthy, coping with the changes in their day-to-day lives, and highlighting stories that are relevant to our community,” said Salinas, who also serves as EstrellaTV’s VP of News.
A UNIFIED VOICE AGAINST COVID-19
At Univision, the 3pm hour has been preempted this week so it can air a network-wide special, Diario del Coronavirus.
Public Service Announcements featuring Dr. Juan Rivera, Univision’s chief medical correspondent, are airing across the program grid, informing the Hispanic community regarding the coronavirus and what needs to be done to keep each other safe during this period of time.
Locally, Univision stations are providing updates via 30-minute and one-hour specials in addition to hourly vignettes.
For NBCUniversal-owned Telemundo, Tuesday evening saw the debut of the late-night Noticias Telemundo Presenta – Coronavirus: Un País en Alerta.
Hosted by Noticias Telemundo anchor Julio Vaqueiro, the newscast will, like others, focus on the latest developments regarding the coronavirus and its impact on the Latino community as the country remains on alert during this national emergency.
“The launch of this new late-night newscast reaffirms Telemundo’s ongoing commitment to provide the Latino audience with the most comprehensive, credible information they need to make decisions every day,” said Luis Fernandez, President of Noticias Telemundo. “We want to help our community understand the effects of this emergency and rather than live in fear, be empowered to make informed decisions about their health.”
This means the Telemundo Deportes sports-focused studio show Titulares y Más will now air at midnight during the week. Zona Mixta, the weekend edition, will continue at 11pm.
