Azteca Considers Next Move

Following Pappas Telecasting’s announcement that it was severing affiliation agreements with the Hispanic television network Azteca America as of June 30, Azteca  says it expects to finalize affiliation agreements for its Houston and San Francisco stations in the near future.

“Better aligned interests with other partners in these markets will translate into substantial benefits for audiences, clients and our entire affiliate group,” stated Azteca America Chairman Luis J. Echarte. “We will now be able to build common marketing and operational plans, and coordinate promotional strategies oriented to give an extra boost to overall ratings and sales.”

President and CEO Adrian Steckel said the network was unfazed by the Pappas split. “These short-term issues will be resolved and we will maintain our coverage and standing as a network,” he stated.

Michael Malone

Michael Malone, senior content producer at B+C/Multichannel News, covers network programming, including entertainment, news and sports on broadcast, cable and streaming; and local broadcast television. He hosts the podcasts Busted Pilot, about what’s new in television, and Series Business, a chat with the creator of a new program, and writes the column “The Watchman.” He joined B+C in 2005. His journalism has also appeared in The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Playboy and New York magazine.