LAT TV

Not to be confused with LATV or LAPTV.
This article is about a defunct Spanish-language television network. For the history of Indonesian television network known as Lativi, see tvOne (Indonesian TV network) § History.
LAT TV
TypeBroadcast television network
Country
United States
AvailabilityDefunct
OwnerLatin America Broadcasting
Key people
Wallace (Rocky) Springstead, President and CEO
Launch date
May 19, 2006 (2006-05-19)
DissolvedMay 20, 2008 (2008-05-20)
(2 years, 1 day)
Official website
http://www.lattv-english.com (English)

LAT TV was a Spanish-language television network emphasizing family-oriented and educational programming. It was owned by Latin America Broadcasting of Houston, Texas and launched in May 2006, initially on five low-power television stations in Texas and Arizona, four of which were in top-ten Hispanic markets. The network folded in May 2008.

History

LAT TV launched on May 19, 2006 with television stations in Houston, Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio, Texas, and in Phoenix, Arizona. On April 10, 2007, LAT TV announced a partnership with Equity Media Holdings that would affiliate 26 stations owned or controlled by Equity with LAT TV, effective May 30, 2007.[1] The new affiliation expanded LAT TV coverage to 31 stations and to 27 markets in 15 states.

Citing a lack of investments caused by a lack of cable carriage, the network shut down May 20, 2008. The company planned to retain its broadcast licenses,[2] but ultimately would sell its stations to other parties soon after.

Programming

LAT TV was headed by Patricia Torres-Burd and her team.

LAT TV offered a wide variety of programming from Mexico, Latin America, Europe and the United States to serve a diverse Hispanic market. The schedule included telenovelas, sports, comedy, and children's programming. A half-hour network news program from Independent News Network, Noticias LAT TV, aired each night. Weekday mornings included a block of public-service programs. Friday nights featured boxing matches, Late Night Variety Show "La Boca Loca De Paul" hosted by Paul Bouche, and the afternoon children's programming block includes Topo Gigio, a show that has been popular in the Latino community since the 1960s.

Technology

LAT TV was entirely based on Internet Protocol. Its IT Manager Aaron Ward and network operations manager Jay Ross built and oversaw the process.

LAT TV Stations

Network-owned

Affiliates

Charter affiliates

Affiliates added May 30, 2007

Announced for affiliation, but did not carry the network

See also

References

  1. ^ "Growing Spanish TV Network Takes Another Big Step Towards National Coverage". April 10, 2007. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved April 22, 2007.
  2. ^ Hem, Brad (May 21, 2008). "Spanish language station signs off". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 28, 2009. Retrieved June 10, 2008.