• by David Goetzl , February 2, 2009

Unlike some popular soccer--or futbol--sites that focus on the sport at large, Telemundo has launched one hyper-focusing on two teams that have an immense following among Hispanics. Games for the teams--the Mexican national team and Chivas--are carried on Telemundo. The Web site is intended as an adjunct to the broadcasts.

Futbolestelar.tv is a joint venture with Terra USA, a large Internet content producer targeting Hispanics. Telemundo will sell the ad time to advertisers seeking integrated packages that involve an on-air and an online presence. Terra will work with those interested in just online opportunities, be it pre-roll, banners or other options.

The co-branded site is rife with video of game highlights, and the goal is to add some additional content not seen on air. It also features player bios, news and other info. Terra's social networking functions will be weaved in, in the hopes that fans will use this as they watch the games to communicate with one another.

Games could be streamed live, but Mark Lopez, COO of Terra Networks USA, said the plan now is for the site to function as a "complement to TV." If an advertiser expressed an interest, "we can evaluate it and look at" live carriage.

Telemundo has had the rights to carry Mexican national team games in the U.S. since 2000, and its latest arrangement gives it television, digital and mobile rights. The team should draw increasing interest in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup.

Telemundo, which jointly operated its Web site with Yahoo until the beginning of the year, had a site focusing on the national team under that umbrella over the past year. The new site will be promoted on Terra.com and on the Telemundo network.

Chivas is a leading team in the Mexican Soccer League. Telemundo signed a five-year deal to carry their home games exclusively in the U.S. last year.

Terra also has partnerships with Azteca America and GolTV to operate joint soccer sites online.