Telemundo takes on Big Easy

WHMM to be first Spanish station in market

By ANNA MARIE DE LA FUENTE

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans has seen a rising influx of Hispanic immigrants willing to take on the task of cleaning up the flooded city.

NBC U's Telemundo has followed by expanding its coverage through a deal with affiliate WHMM New Orleans. It's signed a similar deal with KKIC Boise, Idaho.

WHMM will be the first and only Spanish-language full power station in the New Orleans market when it launches mid-May. It will be carried on the broadcast basic lineups of the cable systems and DBS services in New Orleans.

In addition, on April 1, Telemundo launched on KKIC in Boise, the 70th-largest Hispanic market.  KKIC is also available on basic cable. Boise ranks among the top 50 markets in terms of Hispanic density.

Telemundo, while trailing behind market leader Univision, reaches 93% of U.S. Hispanic households in 210 markets through its 16 owned-and-operated stations, 40 broadcast affiliates, nearly 684 cable affiliates and direct broadcast satellite.