Starz Launches Spanish-Language Movie Service

ENGLEWOOD: AT&T U-verse TV and Verizon’s FiOS TV are the first to launch Starz Entertainment’s new premium Spanish-language movie channel, Encore Espanol.

Encore Espanol will feature a number of recent Hollywood hits, including Alice in Wonderland, Up, 2012, The Bounty Hunter and The Princess and the Frog. Other highlight titles include The Fast and the Furious, The Bourne Identity, Gangs of New York and The Scorpion King. The first Encore original, the Moby Dick mini-series starring William Hurt and Ethan Hawke, premiered exclusively on Encore and Encore Espanol yesterday.

"AT&T and Verizon will benefit greatly with the launch of Encore Espanol and enjoy a distinct competitive advantage in the markets in which they serve communities with Spanish-language households," said Ed Huguez, Starz’ executive VP of sales and affiliate marketing. "U-verse TV and FiOS TV are the first to offer this great addition to the Encore suite of channels and are well positioned to grow their respective premium businesses. "We look forward to working with our other affiliates to secure additional launches of the new channel in the future. The ultimate winners, of course, are the Spanish-language households that get to enjoy a great new service with a wide range of premium movie – and now also original—content that will appeal across the family."

"We are proud to be one of the first TV providers to offer Encore Espanol to our U-verse TV Spanish-language customers," added Franz Kurath, the associate VP of AT&T Content. "We know that Spanish-language programming is important to our subscribers, and with compelling movies and original content, Encore Espanol is a great addition to the U-verse TV lineup."

"Verizon is very pleased that we are now able to carry Encore Espanol with its movies and original programming for our FiOS TV Spanish-speaking households," commented Oscar Madrid, Verizon’s director of multicultural marketing. "This adds an important dimension to our overall Spanish-language programming. We look forward to our continued partnership with Starz Entertainment and Encore to bring the best in viewing to our customers."