LATV Signs On Award-Winning Producer Rick Najera As Head Of Current Programming And Development

LATV Signs On Award-Winning Producer Rick Najera As Head Of Current Programming And Development

'Latinologues' Creator/Producer and 'MADtv' Writer to Helm Programming Expansion and Development for Bilingual Network

LOS ANGELES, March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- LATV, the nation's first bilingual music / entertainment network distributed nationally via digital multicast, announced today the appointment of Rick Najera as Head of Current Programming and Development. With its recent announcement that it is going national as a 24/7 network, LATV selected Najera to develop new shows and genres as well as to build on the success of already-established programs such as 'LATV en Concierto,' 'LATV Does Hollywood' and 'Rokamole.'

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070305/CLM146 )

"After seeing Rick's theatrical release of 'Latinologues,' my first thought was that he would be a great fit for LATV. Not only does he have great insight into U.S. culture, but Rick is talented in many areas of our business," says LATV President and Founder Danny Crowe. "Rick has worked successfully at the highest levels of the English and Spanish-language creative worlds; and, as an established writer, director, producer and actor, he is well equipped to guide our staff through LATV's national launch as well as drive the future growth and success of the network."

Under Najera's direction, LATV's lineup will feature live real-time programs airing at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00p.m. PT. The programs will feature interactive segments that include the audience in-studio as well as audience at home via telephone, email, internet chat and text.

"It's exciting to be working with such a great group of young professionals," says Najera. "LATV was the first channel to offer bilingual/bicultural television and set the bar for this genre. What impressed me about LATV is that even though until now they could only be seen in Southern California, they have already created a national brand. They have produced entertaining television with young Latinos behind and in front of the camera. With LATV's national launch, we hope to inspire as well as to entertain. LATV will continue to be a true alternative to general programming."

Rick Najera, an award-winning writer/producer, has been honored twice by Hispanic Magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential Latinos in America." A writer on groundbreaking television comedies such as MADtv and In Living Color, he is the writer, director, producer and creator of his own nationally recognized hit comedy, LATINOLOGUES. This compilation of comedic and poignant monologues about 'Life in America' most recently ran for 16 weeks on Broadway at New York's prestigious Helen Hayes Theatre. It is the first Latino written, created, directed, produced comedy with an all-starring Latino cast in the history of Broadway. Najera has received two consecutive Writers Guild of America Award nominations for Outstanding Achievement and Best Writing in a Comedy / Sketch Series for his writing for MADtv, an Imagen Award for Latinologues for Best Live Theatrical Performance and an ALMA Award nomination for Best Writing in a Television Drama.

LATV's national rollout will begin in April with Post-Newsweek station affiliates in Houston (KPRC), Miami (WPLG), Orlando (WKMG) and San Antonio (KSAT). LATV will be multicast on these stations' digital spectrum as a standard-definition channel. At launch, LATV will also be carried on basic cable through its affiliates. In addition, LATV will be carried in Los Angeles on KJLA via cable, broadcast and satellite.

With its groundbreaking mix of bilingual music and lifestyle programming, LATV is the network of choice for bicultural Latinos in Los Angeles, America's top Hispanic market. Since 2001, the predominantly English-language LATV has been filmed in front of a live in-studio audience and airs on broadcast, basic cable and satellite in Los Angeles, reaching the highly sought-after bicultural demographic. LATV's advertising roster includes: Verizon, Levi's, McDonald's, VW and Target Stores. Among the platinum-selling artists that have performed on LATV are Daddy Yankee, Pitbull, Paulina Rubio, Frankie J and Julieta Venegas.

About LATV

Headquartered in Los Angeles, LATV is the nation's first bilingual music/entertainment network distributed via digital multicast. A pioneer in bicultural youth broadcasting, LATV has been on the air in the Los Angeles market since 2001. The network offers an array of programming that is original, exclusive and live featuring top performers in the Latin music world. Targeting the 16- to 34-year-old Latino, LATV's programming bouquet offers a range of content that includes multi-genre music, lifestyle and entertainment.

LATV is owned by LATV, LLC. For more information, visit LATV online at www.latv.com or www.myspace.com/latv.

For more information about LATV, please contact:

Music & Entertainment Media Inquiries:
Josh Norek
JN Media Group
josh@jnmediagroup.com
818.505.1138

Telecommunications/Trade Media Inquiries:
Maite Saralegui
maite_saralegui@yahoo.com
323.650.2236

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070305/CLM146
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN3
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: LATV

CONTACT: Music & Entertainment Media, Josh Norek of JN Media Group,
+1-818-505-1138, josh@jnmediagroup.com; Telecommunications and Trade Media,
Maite Saralegui, +1-323-650-2236, maite_saralegui@yahoo.com

Web site: http://www.latv.com/
http://www.myspace.com/latv

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