Univision Named 'Multiplatform Broadcaster of the Year'

Related: Univision

Univision Communications has been named "Multiplatform Broadcaster of the Year" by leading trade publication Broadcasting & Cable (B&C). This recognition comes as Univision celebrates its 50th anniversary and in a year of rapid expansion for the leading media company serving Hispanic America. It is the latest honor received by Univision from leading industry publications to wrap up 2012 joining others including Company President, Distribution Sales & Marketing Tonia O'Connor being included on The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Power 100 list; the naming of Univision Radio President Jose Valle as Radio Ink Executive of the Year; EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer Roberto Llamas being honored as one of Hispanic Executive's inaugural "Top 10 Líderes" list; and inclusion of Univision Communications President & CEO Randy Falco, Univision Networks President Cesar Conde and O'Connor in the annual CableFAX 100 issue.

Earlier in the year, Conde was also named one of the top 10 young business stars under 40 by FORTUNE while Executive Vice President, Program Scheduling & Promotions Jessica Rodriguez was recognized as one of People en Español's "Las 25 Mujeres Más Poderosas" (25 Most Powerful Women). Lastly, worldwide TV icon and star of Univision's "Sábado Gigante," Don Francisco (Mario Kreutzberger), was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame, and news anchors Maria Elena Salinas and Jorge Ramos received the NATAS Lifetime Achievement Award.

In the latest edition of B&C, Univision is praised for the Company's "efforts to expand its programming on TV, online, social media and mobile," making its content - including 2012 Presidential Election coverage - available across all platforms. This is a result of the Company greatly increasing the number of linear channels offered, expanding the number of digital subchannels being used (via an agreement with Bounce TV), launching the bilingual UVideos Digital Network, and growing its TV Everywhere efforts.

"Being named Multiplatform Broadcaster of the Year speaks to the innovative spirit at Univision and is a testament to the passion, drive and commitment that each and everyone here has for Univision to be the Hispanic Heartbeat of America, entertaining, informing and empowering our audience across platforms - everywhere they live," said Falco. "It is even more significant that we received this honor to cap off an amazing year filled with achievements, not the least of which is the celebration of a 50-year legacy of serving Hispanic America."

Univision's expansion and investment efforts in 2012 include the launch of four new networks -- Univision Deportes, Univision tlnovelas, FORO TV, and UVideos, the Company's bilingual digital video network -- as well as the development of new identities for its leading brands.

Earlier this year, Univision unveiled a new brand logo signifying the Company's growth, transformation and celebrating its culture of innovation over its 50-year history.

The TeleFutura broadcast network was rebranded as UniMás, a new brand to complement the Company's other network offerings, with expanded, bolder programming targeting Hispanic Millennial trendsetters.

A brand new logo was created for the Galavisión Network, featuring a modern look and feel that celebrates the 33rd anniversary of the country's leading Spanish-language cable network, and more closely aligns it with the Univision brand.

Additionally in 2012, Univision announced a landmark joint venture with ABC News for a new English-language cable network and also launched Univision America, the Company's AM radio network, while building upon the success of its award-winning News division, both nationally and locally. Univision also continued to make an impact beyond media by investing in corporate responsibility initiatives covering issues such as education, voting, personal finance and healthcare; signing licensing deals to bring its brands into its audience's everyday lives, from phone cards at grocery stores to cafes and newsstands at airports and the expansion of Univision Enterprises' prescription savings program as well as creating the new Generación America empowerment platform that encourages Hispanics to share the stories of their immigration experiences.

B&C also highlighted the Company's ratings successes. Last week it was announced that the Univision Network is set to finish the year as the No. 4 network among Adult 18-34 audience, beating CBS and all cable networks during broadcast primetime up from fifth place a year ago.

On the Internet, Univision.com continues to be the #1 most-visited Spanish-language website among U.S. online Hispanics.

In this record setting year, Univision.com streamed two Presidential "Meet the Candidate" events - in both English and Spanish - and provided integrated, on-air and online coverage of Election Day. Earlier in 2012, Univision.com streamed events highlighting Republican candidates. In October 2012, for the first time ever, Univision co-produced a webnovela titled "Te Presento A Valentin" with world-renowned producer Televisa.

Over the first eleven months of 2012, digital video streams across Univision Interactive grew to 255 million, an increase of +55% over the same timeframe in 2011; and Univision Interactive's online and mobile sites generated over 542 million US/Puerto Rico visits (+6.9% vs. 2011) with more than 4.1 billion page views (+5% vs. 2011).