TelevisaUnivision, the company formed by the merger between the two Spanish-language giants, this week announced the upcoming launch of a brand-new streaming service named ViX. The streaming service comes in two flavors. First is the free advertising-supported ViX. Second is the premium version entitled ViX+.
A new streaming service may not seem like a big deal, but this one is certainly a change for soccer fans in the United States, for several different reasons.
First, when ViX+ launches later this year, it will be the exclusive home to a select number of UEFA Champions League games for Spanish-language viewers. Most of the Champions League games will still be available on linear television such as Univision or sister channels such as UniMas and TUDN. But to watch some of the games in Spanish, you will need Vix+.
Second, the launch of ViX on March 31, 2022 (and late 2022 for ViX+) will mean that Prende TV (just launched in March 2021) will be phased out. With ViX, the plan is for TelevisaUnivision to have one global brand. TelevisaUnivision sees the ViX app as its be-all and end-all.
Third, ViX will include a brand-new 24/7 sports news channel called Zona TUDN. This will be in addition to the 100+ linear channels available for free on ViX.
Fourth and finally, ViX will include programming from beIN SPORTS in Spanish. More details to come on that.
It’s important to note that ViX is not just a sports app. In fact, it features hundreds of new series and movies, while also carrying Spanish-language live TV. That being said, there are a number of major soccer events TelevisaUnivision is placing exclusively on ViX or ViX+.
Differences between ViX and ViX+ for soccer fans
ViX:
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Games of the week from select leagues
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Includes programming from beIN SPORTS
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Zona TUDN (24/7 sports news channel)
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More than 100+ linear channels
ViX+, as the self-proclaimed “Home of soccer” for Spanish-language viewers, promises:
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More than 3,000 live soccer games per year
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Home games of four Liga MX teams, exclusive to ViX+
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UEFA Champions League coverage
ViX is first global Spanish-language streaming service
Currently, there is not a Spanish-specific streaming service. Rather, Spanish-speaking audiences have just a handful of sections to choose from the slate of streaming services such as Peacock TV, ESPN+ and Paramount+, for example.
TelevisaUnivision provides an abundance of content on both the AVOD and SVOD version of ViX. The AVOD version, or just ViX, stands for advertisement-based video on demand. While this is free of charge, users do have to watch advertisements throughout their viewing experience. However, it is an easy way for Spanish-speaking audiences to access broadcast-quality television.
ViX+, the SVOD version of the service, just goes that bit further. SVOD stands for subscription video on demand. ViX+ includes original content in the form of movies, shows and sports. There is not yet a price point for ViX+.
Currently, a beta version of ViX is available for select users in the United States and Mexico.
Soccer on ViX and ViX+
Starting off with ViX, any user will have access to a number of top leagues and competitions through the service. The provider claims it carries more competitions for Spanish-language audiences in front of the pay wall. Games will likely include select matches from the Brazilian and Argentine leagues, as an example.
Plus, a new 24/7 sports channel till cater to sports fanatics. Zona TUDN will air talk shows, analysis, commentary and interviews throughout each day. Additionally, ViX has a “Game of the Week,” picking one of the games in the provider’s repertoire.
On the subscription side of things, expect more than 3,000 individual games across the ViX+ array of channels. ViX+ has exclusives that truly set it apart from its competition. For one, four Liga MX teams and a variety of leagues across the world are on the SVOD service. Among those is the UEFA Champions League, which sees its Spanish-language home on ViX+.
Moreover, the Mexican National Team will have a number of games on ViX and ViX+.
While ViX+ will be up and running in the second half of 2022, that aligns well with the World Cup in Qatar during November and December. Zona TUDN, in particular, will have lots of coverage around the world’s biggest tournament.
Additional content
Not every member of the family is a soccer fanatic, but ViX ensures coverage for everybody. The provider announced over 20 original programs that will be on ViX+. This includes “ViX+ Originals,” movies, TV series, telenovelas, sports docuseries and content from Videocine.
Additional reporting by Kyle Fansler.
