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New Home-Shopping Channel in Spanish

Posted on: Wednesday, 23 August 2006, 21:00 CDT

MIAMI - Don't feel like going to the mall to shop? Don't feel like getting out of bed or leaving your casa?

Home shopping is about to get a little easier for Spanish speakers.

The Viva TeleCompras home-shopping network will be transmitted from a North Miami studio beginning in 2007, beaming via satellite throughout North and South America.

Los Angeles-based TV producer Frank Celecia is spearheading the effort along with a group of investors under the corporate parent Home Shopping Latino Inc., which will also operate a Web site for the network.

Home Shopping Latino is hoping that by establishing the new channel in Miami, Viva TeleCompras will be able to draw Hispanic entertainers to spice up its sales pitches for gems, jewelry and other items. Besides the celebrity presenters, the network will also offer music and cooking segments.

Viva TeleCompras plans to raise money through a $30 million initial public offering this fall.

A 1997 effort by Univision Communications Inc. and Home Shopping Network to target Spanish-speaking consumers was unsuccessful because many buyers were not accustomed to using credit cards, and products had to be returned if buyers failed to pay cash upon delivery.

Home Shopping Latino is looking to avoid those past problems with payments by issuing its own credit cards.

Source: Associated Press/AP Online

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