Univision offers live streaming

US Hispanic broadcaster Univision Communications has gone direct to consumers with the launch of its own live-streaming and catch-up service.

Univision Now carries primetime content including Pasión y Poder

Univision Now is available in the US on iOS, Android and via the web for a monthly (US$5.99) or annual (US$59.99) subscription fee.

The move see Univision join fellow US broadcasters such as CBS and HBO in launching its own stand-alone streaming option for viewers.

Users are able to watch the live broadcast of the Univision and UniMás networks featuring their respective full schedules of telenovelas, sports, news, award shows and more via the service.

Select primetime content, such as telenovelas Pasión y Poder and Yo No Creo en Los Hombres, will be available for seven days after the linear premiere.

However, not all Univision and UniMás programming will be available through the Univision Now service.

Tonia O’Connor, president of content distribution and corporate business development at the company, said that Hispanics spend longer than average amounts on smartphones and also lead the market in live television viewing.

Meanwhile, a Nielsen Total Audience Report from the first quarter of this year found that Hispanics engage with apps 18% more than the general population and consume 12 hours of online video a month.