A new multi-year agreement that keeps Univision, UniMás, Galavisión and all TelevisaUnivision-owned cable television stations on Charter Communications’ Spectrum MVPD systems in the U.S. includes a OTT development that marks another important chapter in the history of subscription-based video-on-demand platforms.
TelevisaUnivision is rolling out an advertising-supported version of its VOD hub.
While Spectrum customers in key U.S. Hispanic markets including Los Angeles and New York will have continued access to the Spanish-language local channels and networks owned by TelevisaUnivision, “expanded access to an unprecedented amount of Spanish-language content” is perhaps the biggest takeaway from the newly signed deal.
As such, TelevisaUnivision will create a new ad-supported premium subscription version of ViX, set to launch later this year. Importantly, it will be available at no additional cost to Spectrum customers who receive TelevisaUnivision channels as part of their Spectrum TV Select or Mi Plan Latino packages.
ViX’s “Premium with Ads” offering gives consumers access to the entire ViX Premium content offering, including original series, telenovelas, comedies, movies, live soccer matches and library content “with a moderate advertising load.”
For Spectrum customers, it comes with no bill increase.
And, it also allows Spectrum to put the wheels in motion on a new Spanish-language internet-delivered video package Charter is describing as a “new, innovative, low-cost” offering.
TelevisaUnivision EVP/Global Distribution and Streaming Partnerships Mike Angus commented, “We’re pleased to enter into an innovative deal with Charter that underscores a shared commitment to the growing Hispanic market and prioritizes their needs and interests, ensuring TelevisaUnivision’s leading content remains available to viewers for years to come. This deal demonstrates the value we can deliver to our partners and consumers by continuing to invest in both the linear and streaming platforms to create a complementary Spanish-language content ecosystem.”
Tom Montemagno, EVP/Programming Acquisition for Charter, commented, “We appreciate TelevisaUnivision’s willingness to fully support our new distribution framework, which is good for customers and a significant step forward for the video ecosystem. With this agreement, our customers will continue to enjoy access to TelevisaUnivision’s extensive Spanish-language programming, including entertainment and live sports, across multiple platforms. This furthers our goal of providing value to customers by including streaming apps with Spectrum services.”
Spectrum provides customers with access to TelevisaUnivision’s networks, including Univision, UniMás, Galavisión, TL Novelas, TUDN, FOROtv, Bandamax, De Película, De Película Clasico, Telehit and Telehit Música.
