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New Channel Launching In '16 To Air Cuban Media Content Throughout U.S.

U.S. TV viewers will soon have access to live coverage of most of Cuba’s top boxing and baseball action. Of the content available on CubaNetwork, a new channel led by CEO Keith Bass, 15-20% will be sports-related, with the rest of the programming ranging from documentaries to music to movies. CubaNetwork’s content will be broadcast in both Spanish and English, and will include some Spanish programming with English subtitles. All of Cuban media, including its five TV channels and several radio stations, is currently controlled by the state. Bass’s new network secured exclusive rights to the bulk of that content in October. This followed President Obama’s announcement in July that the U.S. will reopen diplomatic relations with the island. CubaNetwork’s HQ will be located in Hollywood, and it will also have an office in Havana. Of its staff of roughly 30 full-time employees, Bass said that all but a couple will be based in Hollywood. Bass is the CEO of Caribbean Broadcasting Network, which distributes programming in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He said that CubaNetwork will be an affiliate of CBN, and believes its content will surprise some viewers. “The quality is pretty equal to what you would see in the U.S., although the older programming is standard definition, so that’s a little different,” Bass said. “But overall, they’ve put quite a bit into it. A lot of people would assume because it’s [run by the] government, that it’s going to be kind of dull programming, but they make use of a lot of producers. There’s a lot of creativity on the island, so I think people will be quite surprised as far as the quality that goes into the programming.” The CubaNetwork is scheduled to go live as a linear cable channel in the U.S. in April, and Bass said that some historical programming will be made available on a video-on-demand basis in February. Sports -- both past and present -- will play a particularly significant role in the channel’s weekend programming. Bass added that the network will air about three to five hours per week of live sports programming. One highlight of the content CubaNetwork will offer will be a two-hour, “Good Morning America”-style morning show that will include a sports component. That show will be the first of its kind to be co-produced by U.S. interests and a crew on the ground in Cuba. CubaNetwork's recorded sports shows will include "Pulso Deportivo" (Sports Beat), baseball program "Swing Completo" (Complete Swing), "A Tres Tiempos" (At Three Stages) -- which will highlight sports including soccer and motocross -- and "La Jugada Perfecta" (The Perfect Play), which will feature highlights from Cuban sports history and athlete interviews.

HIGH EXPECTATIONS: Bass expressed confidence that U.S. networks will be quick to acquire distribution rights. While he said that the broadcasters in talks to carry CubaNetwork are confidential at this point, he feels “pretty comfortable” with the level of interest he has received. Bass: “There’s such a high interest in Cuba right now. That’s really being shown with the amount of travel that’s taking place. It’s very difficult to fly down there right now because of all the interest. It’s in the news practically every day. With the high interest in Cuba, I think that gives us a real good start as far as the curiosity factor.” Bass highlighted that viewers will be able to access CubaNetwork via iPad and Apple TV, among other mobile devices. He also said CubaNetwork will make use of one of the first uplink facilities to bring programming directly from Cuba. 

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