• by Fern Siegel , April 19, 2010

SOMOSTV, the Spanish-language pay TV company, will broadcast Fisher-Price's "Little People" content for the network's newly launched preschoolers channel Semillitas.

Geared to babies and preschoolers, Semillitas broadcasts Spanish-language animation 24/7; its goal is to promote and preserve the Hispanic heritage.

The channel launched in five major markets -- Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C.-- on March 15. The Little People brand just turned 50.

Luis Villanueva -- president and CEO of SOMOSTV, which develops pay TV channels for the Hispanic market -- touted the safe, nonviolent content of Semillitas. He said his company shared Fisher-Price's focus on providing young families with the best tools to bring up their children.

"We are proud that this partnership reflects our mutual trust and awareness of the needs of the Hispanic family," Villanueva stated. "The Little People brand represents the values and content that makes it a perfect fit for Semillitas."

"Having the series broadly available to Hispanic families with young children is a great extension of our outreach efforts to the community," added Lisa Mancuso, senior vice president of marketing at Fisher-Price.

In addition to Semillitas, SOMOSTV produces and distributes VeneMovies, an ad-free film channel that showcases movies originally produced in Spanish. The company also distributes various series, such as "Aida" and "7 Vidas."

SOMOSTV is available in both the U.S. and Puerto Rico.