HC2 Acquires Azteca America, 19 Stations

HC2 Holdings, a diversified holding company, said Wednesday that its subsidiary, HC2 Network Inc., has acquired Azteca America, a Spanish-language broadcast network, from affiliates of TV Azteca, one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television programming in the world. In addition, HC2 Network has signed a definitive acquisition agreement with Northstar Media for 19 television stations.

Financial terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

Under the agreement with Azteca, which closed Wednesday, HC2 Network acquired Azteca America, a Spanish-language broadcast network providing original content to the Hispanic audience in the United States. Under the agreement with Northstar, HC2 Network will acquire Northstar’s television stations, which carry Azteca America programming.

The Azteca transaction extends to the acquisition of professional staff across the U.S. involved in programming, marketing, advertising sales, finance and operations.

The Northstar transaction, which is subject to approval by the FCC, as well as other customary closing conditions, would result in HC2 Network acquiring 19 television stations, including two full-power stations, eight Class A stations and eight low-power stations, along with a channel share agreement for the full-power license of KEMO San Francisco.

The stations:

• KAXW-LD Mullin, Texas
• KAZD-TV Dallas
• KAZH-LP McAllen, Texas
• KDFQ-LP Prescott, Ariz.
• KDFS-CD Santa Maria, Calif.
• KEMO-TV San Francisco (under channel share agreement)
• KHDF-CD Las Vegas
• KLDF-CD Lompoc, Calif.
• KNWS-LP Brownsville, Texas
• KPDF-CA Phoenix
• KQDF-LP Albuquerque, N.M.
• KSBO-CD San Luis Obispo, Calif.
• KVDF-CD San Antonio Texas
• KYAZ-TV Houston
• KYDF-LP Corpus Christi, Texas
• WQAW-LP Lake Shore, Md.
• WTNO-LP New Orleans
• WUVM-LP Atlanta
• WXAX-CD Tampa, Fla.

In combination with HC2’s previously announced acquisitions of a controlling equity interest in DTV America Corp., which currently carries Azteca video programming in 10 markets, and of the broadcasting assets of Mako Communications and its affiliates, Three Angels Broadcasting Network and other station licensees, the acquisition of the 19 Northstar television stations would expand HC2’s broadcasting network to 113 stations, including three full-power stations (inclusive of the channel-share agreement for KEMO San Francisco), 27 Class A stations and 83 LPTV stations, in more than 80 markets across the United States. In addition, the acquisitions increase HC2’s construction permits to 475, allowing for further buildout of coverage across the United States.

The Azteca transaction also includes multi-year programming and services agreement that provides HC2 with access to TV Azteca’s current programming and library in Mexico, including top entertainment shows, talk shows, reality programs, network and local news, as well as telenovelas and other scripted series.

“The acquisitions of Azteca America and the Northstar stations will substantially expand and accelerate our investment in broadcasting,” said Philip Falcone, HC2’s chairman, president and CEO. “Throughout 2017, we have strategically acquired broadcast assets across the country. Our vision is to capitalize on the opportunities to bring valuable content to more viewers over-the-air and position the company for the changing media landscape. Our licensing agreement with TV Azteca will enable our larger broadcast network to bring compelling, Spanish-language programming to even more of the large, growing and underserved Spanish-speaking population in the U.S. At the same time, the combination of our network assets will generate opportunities for cost synergies through the rationalization of duplicative operations.”

“Today’s announcement marks an exciting and transformative milestone in Azteca America’s history,” said Manuel Abud, President-CEO of Azteca America. “We believe HC2 Network’s long-term investment and resources better position us, on a greater scale, to be an industry leader delivering best-in-class programming, production value and marketing solutions to our audiences and partners alike. Our shared business strategies and industry expertise makes this a perfect alliance to meet the ever-changing demands of the marketplace and further solidify Azteca America as an industry leader in premium Spanish-language content.”

“This alliance unlocks new opportunities for TV Azteca to expand our distribution arm in the United States and provide our world-class programming to new audiences,” said Benjamin Salinas, CEO of TV Azteca. “We look forward to forging future content collaborations with HC2 and Azteca America.”

HC2 Holdings is a publicly traded diversified holding company with operating subsidiaries across seven reportable segments: construction, marine services, energy, telecommunications, life sciences, insurance and other. Founded in 1994, HC2 is headquartered in New York.