Educational channel HITN-TV inhabits an important space in the Spanish-language television universe, says new Content Director Erika Vogt – and the network is about to take off.
Cynopsis: After decades of being in the media market as an independent US Spanish language programming network, which do you consider are the main challenges in today’s cable TV industry?
Erika Vogt: We live in an environment where content abounds and consumers demand access to their favorite programs when and where they choose to watch. That said, the main challenge for media companies is to offer content of outstanding quality that captures the interest of the audience. In this sense, HITN is well positioned in the US Hispanic market as we fill an important space in Spanish language television by offering content that inspires, educates, and empowers viewers to improve their daily lives.
HITN-TV’s partners include Nat Geo
Cynopsis: Are you planning new content agreements with any other network for 2017?
Vogt: Yes, we are constantly seeking content that resonates with our audience. HITN currently has alliances with some of the world’s largest programmers as well as independent distributors and small production companies that offer content aligned with our channel’s vision. Some of our partners currently include BBC Worldwide, Discovery, and Nat Geo, among others.
Cynopsis: What is HITN’s programming goal for 2017?
Vogt: Our goal is to offer unique, entertaining, and high-quality programming that all members of the family can enjoy together. With this end in mind, our network’s programming today includes an interesting combination of several genres such as Health and Wellness, Science and Technology, Natural History, programs for pre-school aged children, and cooking, among others.
Cynopsis: What is the most effective way to reach Hispanic audiences when it comes to educational content?
Vogt: Educational content does not have to be boring. Therefore, HITN offer educational content that is both entertaining and relevant to the lives of our viewers. If you offer your audience quality content that reflects these characteristics they will seek you out.
Cynopsis: What will you be looking in terms of content this year?
Vogt: We are always looking for content that aligns with our network’s mission of inspiring, education, and empowering our viewers. That said, this year we are structuring our programming along a viewer-centric vision that addresses every aspect of our audience’s life, from intellectual curiosity, to emotional and physical wellbeing, to understanding the natural world around us, to education programming for pre-school children, and programs that give viewers the tools to work to be better contributors to their community.
Cynopsis: What is HITN’s digital strategy to reach Hispanic audiences in 2017?
Vogt: The year will be a very important year for HITN in that regard. We are fully aware that the audience now consumes content in a completely different way than few years ago, and HITN will continue to be where our audience is. We are developing a very complex strategy that involves both state of the art technology and partnerships with some of the most important content producers globally to assemble an offering that we believe will be very distinctive from what the Hispanic community currently has access. We will be making a formal announcement of this initiative by mid-2017.
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