For years, Univision predicated its focus was the Spanish-language audience in the U.S. But now, it looks like the network is branching out into English ventures.
According to Laura Martínez of Multichannel News, in early March the Spanish net quietly launched @Univision_News, an English-language Twitter feed for a new news website. It currently has over 4,100 followers. @UniNoticias has over 73,000.
On Feb. 26, the company also discreetely launched Univision Soccer, an “expansion” of “UnivisionFutbol.com’s 2010 World Cup coverage effort in English,” promising to bring top news for MLS, European Soccer and top Mexican and Latin American Leagues.
Why the change of heart? It may have to do with the 2010 Census numbers showing that more than 60% of the nation’s Hispanics are U.S.-born.
Univision and its news department are passé imparfait! Dare I say they have not crossed into the XXI century? Their format is not visually engaging, their delivery is monotone. We cannot accuse them of engaging in real investigative reporting. In Mexico, journalists are the ones with courage to face the drug cartels. Univision News is a personality cult to Jorge Ramos. Does the network or its reporters engage in confrontational journalism? They are the bland voice of their Madison Avenue sponsors who think Hispanics are intellectually impaired.
Justo J. Sanchez