Televisa in Content Deal with Social Network hi5

MEXICO CITY: Mexican media conglomerate Grupo Televisa has teamed up with the social-networking site hi5 to provide free online programming in Latin America.

Televisa will be the exclusive representative of hi5’s online advertising inventory in Hispanic Latin America and jointly the parties will launch a co-branded premium video channel for users of hi5. Users of the social-networking site will be able to view Televisa programming on the new premium video channel, to be launched this summer. The channel will not be available in the U.S., where Televisa is in a legal dispute with former partner Univision Communications over the right to distribute programs on the Internet.

"hi5 is an ideal content and traffic extension that perfectly complements our best-in-class suite of promotional solutions for advertisers and brands in this region," said Juan Saldívar, the general manager of Televisa Interactive Media.

"This business relationship solidifies our leadership position in Latin America and delivers compelling content to our huge Spanish-language audience," added Ramu Yalamanchi, the founder and chief product officer at hi5. "Televisa’s experienced sales team and deep industry relationships will help us maximize our revenue potential in the Latin American market."