Semillitas TV is an American Spanish-language children pay television channel, owned by the media company SomosTV, headed by Luis Villanueva (President & CEO of SOMOS Group). The channel targets children 0–10 years of age with the objective of preserving Hispanic cultural roots and language through entertaining and violence-free programming, specifically animation and is distributed in a format without traditional television advertisement. Semillitas, produced in High Definition, programs animation in Spanish 24-hours a day, with closed captioning and video description, utilizing Standard Spanish dialogue.[1][2]

Semillitas
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaUnited States, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Panama, Mexico, Belize, Caribbean and Central America.
HeadquartersMiami, Florida
Programming
Language(s)Spanish
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
(standard-definition version downscaled by individual provider)
Ownership
OwnerSomosTV
Sister channelsViendoMovies
History
LaunchedMarch 17, 2007 (2007-03-17)
Links
Websitewww.semillitas.com

History

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In 2007, Semillitas was launched by Somos TV initially in The United States. Semillitas targets Hispanic toddlers, preschool and kids aged children with the objective to entertain, educate and help preserve the language and cultural heritage.[3] Semillitas programs violence-free and stop-motion animation content from Latin America and international markets. On March 17, 2007, Verizon FiOS added the channel on the lineup on position 1721. Semillitas has expanded its coverage internationally, with distribution to Central America, Panama and The Caribbean (Dominican Republic).[4][5] in companies such as Claro and Millicom.

In 2019, Semillitas was nominated to the PROMAX Awards in the Total Package Design category.[6]

In 2023, the channel won the prestigious award "Outstanding Achievement: Spanish Media (USA)", presented by The American Council of the Blind, for its support of children with special needs with its inclusion of Audio description in the channel's content.

In 2020, Semillitas celebrated its 13 year Anniversary.[7]

Programming

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The programs shown on this channel include: Louie, Elías, Sid the Science Kid, The Doodlebops, Angelina Ballerina, Bob the Builder, Chloe's Closet, Franny's Feet, Mouk, ClayPlay, Dive Olly Dive!, Kit and Kate[8] Fireman Sam, Monkey See, Monkey Do, The Doozers, Pocoyo, Strawberry Shortcake, Dr. Panda, Pirata & Capitano, Quiz Time, Tickety Toc, Chuggington, Bali, Caillou, Little People , P. King Duckling, SamSam, Book Hungry Bears, Dumper & Skoop, Maya the Bee (TV series) (La Abeja Maya),"Ziggy and the Zoo Tram" and "Bubu Y Las Lechucitas"

Semillitas produces a significant amount of hours of in-house produced content to emphasize its cultural relevance. This content complements the educational and Latino family orientation of the channel.

Semillitas includes multi-platform rights[1][2] The channel is carried by cable television and Telco companies in the U.S, Panama, Dominican Republic and Central America and also affiliates part of the NCTC's (National Cable Television Cooperative). NCTC is responsible for acquiring programming and hardware for almost 1000 affiliated companies that own and operate cable television systems in the U.S.[9] Semillitas offers its subscribers a Free VOD Service available in all its carriers.

Market

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Semillitas is currently available in the United States, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Panama, Central America.[1][10] and The Caribbean. The content of Semillitas has been selected within range of educational and entertaining programming for this age group. The programming emphasizes the relevance of culture and importance of family ties within the Hispanic community.[11] Semillitas is currently available on Liberty Puerto Rico, RCN, Verizon FiOS, Blue Stream, Coyote Cable, Hargray, Tigo (Panama), Incateco, Tigo (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, y Guatemala) and Claro, among other Pay Television providers.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Spero Canton (April 2006). "Comcast Launches 'Semillitas,' a Spanish Language Channel That Caters to Preschoolers". PRNewswire. Retrieved 2007-03-10.
  2. ^ a b "COMCAST LAUNCHES "SEMILLITAS"". Comcast South Florida. January 2007. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2007-03-10.
  3. ^ "Comcast Launches A Spanish Language Channel 'Semillitas' in Florida East Coast Region". Satellite Television News. April 2006. Retrieved 2007-03-10.
  4. ^ "Canal Semillitas disponible en República Dominicana en Altice". www.todotvnews.com. Archived from the original on 2019-11-04.
  5. ^ "Semillitas se lanza en República Dominicana". Prensario Internacional (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-07-11.
  6. ^ Blanco, Rafael (2019-10-22). "Canales de SOMOSTV nominados a Premios Promax 2019". TVCANALES (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2020-07-11.
  7. ^ "Mundo".
  8. ^ "Kit n Kate se suma a la oferta de Semillitas". 26 June 2018.
  9. ^ "SOMOSTV Signs for Broad Distribution of Semillitas and VeneMovies in the US". ttvmedianews. 2006. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  10. ^ "SOMOSTV's toddler and preschooler pay television channel "Semillitas" Available in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, el Salvador, Costa Rica and Panamà - MarketWatch". www.marketwatch.com. Archived from the original on 4 November 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  11. ^ Conor Dougherty (December 2006). "New Faces of Childhood". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
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