• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, May 16, 2008

Spanish-language channel V-me--distributed partly via digital multicast in partnership with PBS stations--held its first upfront this week. It made programming announcements covering an original preschool production, several new reality series and continued content from the Food Network.

The 14-month-old network offers 30-second spots, but also PBS-style underwriting and sponsorship opportunities.

The network is in 6 million Hispanic TV homes (50% of all U.S. Hispanic households) via multicast; nationwide carriage is through Dish and DirecTV. It is counting on the digital transition next year to boost distribution. Multicast carriage comes via 33 PBS stations, including in the New York, Los Angeles and Miami markets.

The network released research showing that 80% of its viewers label it as "a strong, high-quality alternative" to Univision and Telemundo. Its audience has a high concentration of bilingual viewers, with two-thirds speaking more Spanish at home and the same amount speaking more English outside.

On the programming front, V-me bills its efforts as zigging while others are zagging. The net says it is "filling the programming gap that exists in the Spanish TV landscape by developing content that empowers, entertains and inspires the audience."

V-me broadcasts preschool content in the morning, six hours a day, six days a week. The "Hoobs" series from the Jim Henson Company looks to introduce kids to the Internet. The network will soon debut "The Fairies," its first original show in the preschool arena.

Also coming for adult demos is "Tu Bebe," a reality series that follows fathers and mothers as they experience pregnancy together and the first year of a child's life. "Tu Bebe" creates an integrated opportunity for sponsors to get involved on-air, online and through outreach," said sales chief Frank Donaldson.

V-me said it will continue to partner with the Food Network, where popular network shows are translated into Spanish, and two are produced exclusively for V-me.

V-me will also offer reality-competition series in the lifestyle genre, where couples face off to succeed in the restaurant industry. In 2009, another show has couples battle to remake apartments with limited time and money.

Music programming is highlighted by "Estudio Billboard," produced with Billboard magazine and offering one-on-one interviews with top Latin artists. The series is entering its second season.

In news, the network has a partnership with The New York Times to offer a show that includes a weekly review of news, along with features and lifestyle coverage.