Posted on 09/08/2005 11:34:18 PM PDT by RWR8189
ABC announced Thursday it will make all of its primetime entertainment programs, including hits "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives," available in Spanish starting this season, and it is hoping to gain something big in the translation.
The move is an acknowledgment of the expanding U.S. Hispanic population and its potential as a source of viewers. Previously, "George Lopez" was the only ABC series that aired in both English- and Spanish-language versions.
"We wanted to move beyond toe-dipping and really dive in," ABC entertainment chief Stephen McPherson said in a statement. "Almost half of the 41 million Hispanics in this country watch only or mostly Spanish-language television, and we want to bring that audience to ABC."
ABC, using both dubbing and closed captioning, will be the first of the major English-language broadcasters to provide its full primetime entertainment lineup in Spanish. Most other networks offer few shows in the language.
The cost is "not inexpensive," McPherson said in an interview Thursday, declining to provide a specific figure. But he said the return could be significant in terms of viewership.
"If you look at the performance of Spanish-language stations in a lot of the big (TV) markets, they're doing very well. In some markets they're beating the broadcast networks," he said.
Hispanics are the fastest-growing minority in the United States and represent one-seventh of the population, according to a recent Census Bureau report.
"Desperate Housewives," "Lost," "George Lopez" and the new comedy "Freddie," starring Freddie Prinze Jr., will be dubbed into Spanish, as will the network's theatrical movie premieres and some specials. Casting has already begun for actors to voice the Spanish dialogue.
The rest of ABC's primetime entertainment schedule, which debuts next week as the 2005-06 season officially begins, will be available with closed-captioned subtitles in Spanish, the network said.
In test screenings, the network found viewers receptive to ABC's programs in Spanish. "A lot of people had not seen the shows because they were not English speaking but were TV watchers, and were enthralled with them and wanted more," McPherson said.
McPherson said he wasn't concerned about an immediate affect on Nielsen ratings.
"It's more to get it out there and get a large audience watching it and I think the overall ratings will follow," he said.
The subtitled versions will be on Closed Caption 3 channel (CC3), and the dubbed versions will be accessible through the SAP _ secondary audio program _ TV option.
ABC previously had aired major films in Spanish through SAP. This year, the network premieres scheduled to air with dubbing include "Catch Me if You Can," "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Finding Nemo." The made-for-TV movie "Have No Fear: the Life of John Paul II" also will be dubbed into Spanish.
Bienvenidos a Amexica. Oprima el numero dos para Ingles.
Great, There's nothing like aiding and abetting the detioration of American civialization than promoting a freakin' primetime foreign language.
George Lopez show?
While being initially disgust, I can't blame them too much.
They're not in the game to preserve our culture (as we've found out over the last 40 years) they're out to make a profit and atract more viewers.
Optional subtitles and shows being dubbed on SAP don't really bother me much.
A B C eeing you later along with all the other network television outlets.
Since we're in California, and he's attending a public school, I was more disgusted than surprised.
I missed the memo when Spanish became the dominate mandated language.
Please don't forget to insert the word "illegal" in your comments. Remember, it is only the "illegal" ones we are talking about.
This just shows they are getting their ass kicked by Univision, as well as Fox.
That aspect of capitalism, devoid of a sense of civic duty, along with enforced "multiculturalism" and self-segregating ghettos dominating urban areas thus increasingly influencing mass media is exactly why we'll LOSE our culture.
Didn't Pat issue a warning at the 1992 GOP convention?
I thought most programs were offered in Spanish on SAP anyway.
and so it begins
Cheaper than buying Telemundo like NBC did. They will add in the Spanish language watchers and claim people are actually watching their shows.
Hollywood is circling the drain if you ask me....declining viewership, declining movie ticket sales, declining music sales...
"We the people of Rockridge.....badges?..we dont need no stinkin badges."
Look I have been to Mexico and South America they expect you to speak Spanish or to try to. I never saw an English speaking TV show. Just my 2 cents worth.
the undocumented workers are watching stuff us documented workers wont watch! this is going to creep into every nook and cranny of america except places that are currently washed out!
No one who speaks English is watching so might as well try some foreign language. I suggest French.
it's actually pretty funny
The top 10 television shows in Los Angeles are in Spanish.
Welcome to reality, all you English only liberals.
Puedo hablar Espanol.
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