Multicultural TV channels still concerned about limited distribution capacity of pay-TV systems

The second multicultural TV breakfast-conference panel at The Cable Show 2013 was dedicated to content distribution. The panel included Alexander “Sandy” Brown, President and CEO of One World Sports; Glenn Goldsmith, VP of Programming of Mediacom Communications Corporation; Judi López, Senior VP of Affiliate Distribution and Marketing of NUVOtv; and Diana Mogollón, General Manager of mun2.All panelists agreed that after many years, advertisers and large corporations finally acknowledge the importance of the multicultural market.López of NUVOtv pointed out that the fact that a Hispanic media company such as Univisión had explored the area of English-language programming for Hispanics, validates NUVOtv’s position that Hispanics in the U.S. want to watch culturally-relevant content in English.The panelists also expressed old concerns: the limited distribution capacity pay-TV systems offer Hispanic channels, and the re-broadcast agreements that renew every 36 months, among others.Goldsmith of Mediacom, whose system is only present in secondary Hispanic markets, said that the company is searching for relevant content for these markets, which not always include the traditional channels. Looking ahead, Goldsmith thinks more content will be distributed via OTT (over the top); while Mogollón of mun2 believes there will be more original content produced by new talent and new production companies.