Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has announced that it has launched Sony Canal, a new free, ad-supported television (FAST) destination for Spanish speaking viewers in the US. Sony Canal’s portfolio of channels will feature original programming from SPT International Production’s robust library of premium content. Targeting the rapidly growing US Hispanic audience, the first offerings from Sony Canal will consist of two Spanish-language channels focusing on distinct genres: competition series and game shows, and comedies. These new, always-free streaming channels are now available to consumers via VIZIO SmartCast.




“The US Hispanic audience is one of the most rapidly growing segments in the country. With these channels, whether it’s comedies or game shows, we are excited to have a new home for Sony Pictures Television’s diverse content offerings that appeal to multi-faceted, Spanish-speaking viewers,” TC Schultz, EVP, Networks Operations, Programming & Strategy, Sony Pictures Television commented.
Schultz said that dedicated to friendly reality competitions and fun game shows, the Sony Canal Competencias channel features programming designed to challenge contestants’ knowledge and skills, keeping viewers on the edges of their seats. The channel debuts with “Escape Perfecto,” the Mexican adaptation of the hit SPT format “Raid the Cage.” With its fast-paced action and highly visual elements, couples complete trivia and physical challenges to haul prizes from a gigantic cage before the doors slam shut. Schultz also pointed out that with an emphasis on comedies and dramedies, Sony Canal Comedias features culturally relevant modern remakes from Latin America that appeal to multiple generations. Shows include local language productions of fan favorite sitcoms such as “La Niñera” (“The Nanny”), “Quién Manda a Quien” (“Who’s the Boss”) and “Casados Con Hijos” (“Married… with Children”) and the Sony Channel hit “Los Caballeros Las Prefieren Brutas.”
“The addition of Sony’s Competencias and Comedias channels to the VIZIO SmartCast line-up is an important move for us as we look to expand the entertainment options for our Spanish-speaking audience,” Katherine Pond, VP of Business Development for VIZIO commented “We remain committed to providing great “out of the box” content options for audiences to easily discover and tune in and have added a Spanish channel carousel within the free channels line-up on SmartCast.”

Additional ad-supported channels showcasing SPT’s content are expected to launch later this year.