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DAILY NEWS
Mar 30, 2006 7:42 AM
CHUM Launches in Puerto Rico; Names New V-P
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CHUM International will launch a Citytv format station in Puerto Rico.
The station, located in San Juan, will soft launch April 15th replacing the existing local station WRUA (channel 34), based on the signing of a licensing agreement with Fuego Entertainment. The channel will broadcast in Spanish and be seen terrestrially and via cable by the entire Puerto Rican viewership of four million people.
In a separate announcement, Jay Switzer, President and CEO, CHUM Limited, confirmed the promotion of David Goldstein to the position of Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs.
Reporting to the President and CEO, David will be responsible for all facets of regulatory affairs and government relations for CHUM. Most recently, David was National Director of Government Affairs, Radio and Television for CHUM Limited, a position he had held since joining the company in early 2003. He will continue to be based in Ottawa.
"David's tremendous experience and understanding of our industry have made him key in CHUM's regulatory and public policy portfolios," said Jay Switzer. "We are delighted to formalize his leading role in this important arena."
David brings over 15 years' experience in both the communications industry and public policy, with a strong understanding of the process at the local, provincial and federal levels. Prior to joining CHUM, David was with the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) for five years, initially as Director, Government Affairs, and then as the CAB's Vice President, Government Relations, where he helped lead the industry's government and regulatory campaigns for radio, conventional and specialty television. In addition, David has practical knowledge of the communications sector having worked for over eight years in television, multimedia production and post-production services.
Based on CHUM's distinctive and internationally-acclaimed Citytv format, Citytv Puerto Rico will deliver a strong local voice, with locally-focused programming, celebrating and reflecting the diversity of the community, the broadcaster described. CHUM International will consult on the creation of the program grid, marketing and promotion of the station. A daily local newscast based on the successful Citytv news format will be launched in the coming months. In addition, the station will carry a selection of flagship CHUM-produced programs including FT-FashionTelevision, MT-MovieTelevision, Sextv and Star! at the Movies.
Fuego Entertainment is owned by industry veterans Hugo Cancio and Juan Pablos Santos. Mr. Cancio has previously worked in film production, as a producer of live entertainment shows, and has a long history in the Latin music industry as owner the Ciocan Music record label. Mr. Santos is the owner of ROC Entertainment in Miami and has an extensive background both in launching satellite channels and the development of terrestrial signals.
"We look forward to working with the talented team at Fuego Entertainmnet to bring the unique Citytv format that has resonated with urban audiences around the world to viewers in Puerto Rico" said Kevin Byles, Vice President and General Manager, CHUM International. "The emphasis of Citytv Puerto Rico will be on local production, programming and personalities that represent and embody the vibrancy of Puerto Rican life."
"Puerto Rico is an ideal market to acknowledge Citytv's successful format and we are counting on a wide audience that is looking for innovating entertainment options. Also, by producing local programming created and produced by Puerto Ricans we are not only delivering quality television to the island, but impacting a weakened local production industry" stated Hugo Cancio, President and CEO of Fuego Entertainment.
CHUM's successful Citytv format is seen throughout Canada in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg, and has been adapted in the UK, Barcelona and Bogota.
