MundoFox joins battle for Spanish viewers

News Corp. on Monday launched its new Spanish-language TV network in Las Vegas and on 49 other stations nationwide in a bid to edge out Univision and Telemundo as the largest network in the growing Hispanic market.

The MundoFox network is available on KMCC-TV digital channel 32 and 32.1 in Las Vegas. On Cox Cable, the network airs on channel 120. The network also launched in Los Angeles and New York, and is available to 80 percent of U.S. Hispanic households.

"We've reached a tipping point in the evolution of U.S. Spanish-language programming, and the time is right for MundoFox," Emiliano Saccone, president of MundoFox, said in a statement. "Like we did in 1986 when we launched Fox Broadcasting, we've read the landscape and believe the time is now."

MundoFox enters a crowded landscape in Southern Nevada, a market with seven Spanish-language stations available for broadcast over the air, as well as through cable and satellite providers.

Spanish-language networks available in Las Vegas include Univision, VMe, Telefutura, Una Vez Mas, Entravision, Telemundo and Aviva.

"We know that while there is incredible competition in this arena, our strong lineup of inspired and creative programs, robust foundation of affiliates, internationally recognized advertisers and a clear sense of direction are a formula for long-term success," Saccone said.

Saccone said the U.S. Latino population is expected to reach 133 million by 2050, meaning that nearly one in three Americans will be Hispanic. Hispanics have an annual spending power of $1 trillion, which is expected to climb to $1.5 trillion by 2015, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Toyota Motor Sales USA and T-Mobile are among the 50 advertisers already committed to MundoFox, the network said.

The network is an equal partnership between Fox International Channels and RCN Television Group, a television network and production company based in Columbia. Over the next few years, RCN's programming will be available exclusively on MundoFox as its agreements with other networks expire.

RCN shows such as "El Capo" and "Kdabra" are set to air immediately.

MundoFox will also broadcast many Fox Network programs, such as its "American Dad" cartoon dubbed in Spanish, as well as mixed martial arts coverage with "UFC-Live."

Contact reporter Chris Sieroty at csieroty@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. The Associated Press contributed to this report.