Univision plans three new cable TV channels

Spanish-language media giant Univision Communications plans to launch three new cable television channels next year in a bid to tighten its grip on the growing Latino market and diversify its revenues.

Univision is expected to announce May 19 that one of the channels will offer soccer and other sports, one will be devoted to news and information, and a third will showcase the spicy Spanish-language soap operas, or telenovelas, that fuel Univision Network's prime-time ratings. The new channels are part of an increasing trend by media companies to increase their investment in Spanish-language TV. Recently released census findings show that Latinos make up the nation's fastest-growing population. Univision already controls nearly 70% of the Spanish-language television market.