In May 2011, Univision Communications announced three new cable television channels to strengthen its position in the Latino market and diversify revenues, including one dedicated to news and information.[1] Latinos were the United States' fastest growing population according to the 2010 census, which has prompted media companies to increase their presence in Spanish-language television.[1] In addition, Univision hopes to benefit from increased demand for Spanish-language news programs. From 2000 to 2010, the Univision network's primetime news magazine Aquí y Ahora increased its viewership while its English-language counterparts on ABC, NBC and CBS lost half their viewers.[2]
Among the channel's first hires were British-born Karl Penhaul, Chilean photojournalist Carlos Villalon, and Mexican-born María Antonieta Collins.[2] Collins rejoined the Univision network as senior special correspondent having left in 2005.[3] Penhaul left Univision in January 2012.[4]
Univision Noticias secured a carriage deal with the Dish Network in January 2012. It will be offered on Dish's Latino programming package.[5][6]
