BALTIMORE-
Maryland Public Television, in acknowledgment of the state’s growing Hispanic population, will add the first noncommercial programming of its kind in Maryland with a 24-hour Spanish network.
Joining about 20 markets in cities such as Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago as partner in the network, to be called V-me, the network is scheduled to start broadcasting in August on its own digital channel.
The network, pronounced “veh-meh,” from the Spanish veme or “see me,” calls itself “intelligent entertainment.” In an effort to differentiate itself from programming available on Spanish networks such as Univision, V-me will offer a yoga tutorial, a weeknight news forum that will discuss Latino social issues and a Spanish version of “Sesame Street” called “Plaza Sesamo.”
“The Latino population is growing across the United States and here in Maryland, there is no doubt about it,” said Robert Shuman, president and chief executive officer of Maryland Public Television. “Not only do we think V-me will serve this community with quality Spanish-language programs, but it will also allow others of us to speak and learn Spanish.”
Maryland’s Hispanic population has grown 41.5 percent between 2000 and 2005, more than any other ethnic group, according to U.S. census estimates.
“I think this is finally a way of saying to the Hispanic community, ‘We not only acknowledge you are here, but we want to work with you,'” said Haydee Rodriguez, executive director of the Gov.’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs.
Officials at MPT and V-me hope that as the channel becomes popular and money becomes available, there will be locally produced Spanish programming beyond public-service announcements.
V-me has in production for three year. Its programs will include content from the Food Network content, science and technology programs and a show where an astronaut named “Lunar Jim” teaches preschoolers about math and logic. The network’s creators hope to give Latinos the diversity that other Spanish-language networks lack.
“It brings programming that is not in competition with Univision or Telemundo—we are not trying to make the best novela,” said Carmen M. DiRienzo, president of V-me Media Inc. “But if you want to watch a documentary on Napoleon, you can watch it on V-me. We are always offering choice and alternatives.”
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Information from: The (Baltimore) Sun,
