Paying Tribute to Hispanic Heritage Month

Latin ARRIS

Hispanic Heritage Month, which started on September 15 in honor of the independence day anniversaries of several Latin American countries, is a commemoration of Latinos in American culture. And for TV programmers and internet providers it’s especially important to not only reflect the diverse voices and cultures of the nation’s fastest growing minority group, but to also encourage and support the contributions of Latinos to our communities.

Networks like Univision, dedicated to Hispanic audiences, run campaigns year-round to help its viewers participate in social and civic causes. Earlier this year, Univision kicked off an initiative to increase the number of Latino voters in the 2016 presidential election – the goal being to register three million new Latino voters. The initiative, with help from partner network El Rey, has used Univision’s TV and digital resources to launch various ad campaigns, online voter guides, grass-roots organizing events, town hall-style forums, voter drives during the Copa America soccer matches, and the airing of political programs that emphasize issues Latinos care about most, like immigration and health care.

Programmers that appeal to general interest audiences have also dedicated their missions to recognizing Latino audiences in the content and talent that they air, as well as in the outreach work that they do. For example, ESPN and ESPN2 aired a special one-hour program this week on One Nación, ESPN’s bilingual platform that pays homage to the Hispanic American who speaks, identifies with and loves both languages – as well as both traditional American sports and Latin American sports. The program featured a few prominent Hispanic athletes of today, including Olympics gymnast Laurie Hernandez and former baseball star David Ortiz.

TV and internet providers also got out and connected with Hispanic communities in the past month. Comcastheld its Comcast Hispanic Hero Awards gala in Houston, in which several individuals were honored for the service work they did in their communities, whether through volunteerism, advocacy, civic engagement or mentorship. The winners will be featured in a public service announcement and receive a $1,000 donation to the nonprofit organization of their choice. Comcast also conducted its annual Xfinity FreePass Latino this fall, which allows customers at no extra cost to watch more than 7,000 hours of Hispanic-based movies, TV shows and music videos for a limited time during Hispanic Heritage Month as a way to encourage appreciation of Latino talent and culture.

And as their tribute to the extraordinary achievements of Hispanics, Altice just announced this week a student essay contest for middle and high school students in the areas where the provider serves. The essay asks participants to write about a Latino (past or present) with whom they would spend a day with, and why, with the winners and runner-ups earning cash scholarships and iPad minis.

This is just a small sampling of the programs and events happening over the course of the month in honor of Hispanic culture in the U.S., but a good representation of the various ways that our industry comes together to celebrate and promote diversity.