Dish Network Adds a Telenovela Channel

Dish Network has added an all-telenovela channel to its satellite lineup: Pasiones. It airs novelas from all over Latin America, including PUERTO DE LOS MILAGROS, TORMENTA DE PASIONES and METAMORFOSIS.

Pasiones is part of a programming package aimed specifically at Mexican immigrants in the United States called DishMexico. It includes 50 Spanish-language channels and sells for $20 a month, though Dish offers subscribers an introductory deal of $10 a month for the first six.

Just last month, Dish's rival DirecTV made its own pitch at new Spanish-language subscribers by adding Telecentro, a channel of news programs and soccer from Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Costa Rica. Look for more Spanish-language options soon: With Spanish-speaking television households increasing 4.4 percent a year, it's a growth market.