GLENDALE, Calif. & WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Azteca International Corporation (AIC) and Northstar Media, LLC (Northstar) are pleased to announce the consummation of a transaction resulting in the transfer of control and reorganization of the television broadcast licensee subsidiaries of Una Vez Mas, LP (UVM). Pursuant to the agreements among the parties and the approval of the Federal Communications Commission, UVM transferred all of its equity and voting interests in the television broadcast licensee subsidiaries to Northstar, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jericho Partners LLC. As owner of the former UVM full-service, low power, and Class A television stations, Northstar is now the largest U.S. affiliate group of AIC’s Azteca America television network. UVM’s remaining non-broadcast operations were merged into Stations Group LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of AIC.
AIC and Northstar are also pleased to report that the long standing Azteca America affiliation relationship that has brought alternative Spanish-language programming to viewers in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Maryland, and Florida will continue as Northstar and AIC have entered into a new station affiliation agreement under which AIC will provide Azteca America network programming for a substantial part of the broadcast days for each of Northstar’s television stations. Stations Group has also entered into a services agreement with Northstar to support Northstar’s operations. Northstar’s thirty broadcast licensees bring Spanish language programming to viewers in nine states and include the licensees of full-power television stations in the San Francisco, Dallas, and Houston markets.
“We are pleased to begin this new chapter of Azteca America with Northstar,” said Martin Breidspecher, AIC’s Chief Executive Officer. “And we are confident that Northstar will be able to successfully build on the foundation established by UVM.”
“For Northstar, this transaction represents an exciting opportunity for our management team to be engaged in the broadcast industry at the operational level,” added Mike Jahrmarkt, the Managing Member of Northstar. “Over the years, our team members have been actively engaged in financing broadcast assets and to have an active role in broadcast and to contribute to the delivery of diverse programming targeted to Hispanic homes as the Hispanic and Latino population continues to grow in the U.S. we believe will be particularly rewarding.”
About Azteca America
AIC’s Azteca America television network engages Spanish-language viewers by creating unique, passionate and enlightening content. Azteca America programming consists of news and top entertainment programming, including sports, drama, comedy and children’s programming. AIC, a Delaware corporation headquartered in Glendale, California, is a subsidiary of Mexican broadcaster TV Azteca, S.A.B de C.V., the second-largest producer of Spanish language content in the world. AIC’s Azteca America complements programs from TV Azteca, S.A.B de C.V with an innovative lineup of shows from third-party producers and distributors to ensure the finest programming for its audience. Azteca America’s tailored, multi-platform advertising solutions helps advertisers reach the most dynamic consumer group in the country.
About Northstar
Northstar Media, LLC and its parent, Jericho Partners LLC are Delaware limited liability companies with offices in West Palm Beach, Florida. The managing members of Jericho are also the managing members of Northlight Financial LCC, an established corporate lender and asset-based investor that currently manages corporate loans, including media related loans, real estate loans, and REO properties. Northlight was founded in November 2002 and has been registered as an Investment Advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission since 2006. Additional information on Northlight may be obtained by visiting www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.