Spanish-language public television breaks the telenovela mold

Now airing: a digital Spanish-language TV channel with programming by the folks who bring you Sesame Street, National Geographic International, Food Network shows and "The News Hour with Jim Lehrer."

It's called V-me. And while the channel has been available as part of the Dish Network, it's now been launched as a digital channel by PBS' Seattle affiliate KCTS-TV.

"There was a time in my young life when speaking Spanish wasn't accepted. Now it is," said Enrique Cerna last week at a V-me launch party. Cerna, a KCTS station executive and host, grew up in Wapato.

The evidence: V-me, which can be found on digital channel 9.2; Comcast cable channel 119; Dish Network 9414; and Dish Latino 846.

V-me (pronounced "veh-meh" which in Spanish translates to "See Me") signals KCTS' arrival into the local Spanish-language market, on the heels of the local Univision station (KUNS-TV) that debuted in January.

And while KUNS offers a twice-nightly Northwest Spanish-language newscast, there's no local programming on V-me. At least not yet.

What V-me does offer, though, should excite anyone who's bilingual — or who'd like to improve their Spanish. The 24-hour V-me offers a mix of kids, lifestyle, current affairs and "special event" programs (such as contemporary Spanish-language films). Local cinephiles whose Spanish doesn't extend beyond two years in high school will appreciate this: Some of the films will be closed-captioned with English subtitles.

V-me launched on 18 public TV stations with large Hispanic markets in March. And it's being billed as an alternative to the telenovela-heavy programming of other Spanish-language stations, namely Univision and Telemundo.

On its programming schedule, for example, are current affairs programs "La Plaza: Conversaciones con Maria Hinojosa," the PBS and NPR host, and "Viva Voz," a one-hour "Charlie Rose"-like interview program. There's also a faith and values program called "Creencias." Shows about natural history and science and technology. A block of Food Network programs. Yoga. And as part of its large block of children's' programming: Spanish-language Sesame Street or "Plaza Sesamo."

A music and interview series, developed with Billboard magazine and called "Estudio Billboard," debuts Oct. 16.

V-me's programming comes from a mix of sources including public TV stations in both the U.S. and from overseas.

The channel is provided to public television stations at no cost. KCTS, however, secured $360,000 from the state Legislature for two years to help cover operational costs. The station has also hired a bilingual outreach coordinator, Tony Gomez.

The state's Hispanic population has increased at least 31 percent over the past six years, bringing the population to some 580,000 people, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

KCTS signed a 10-year agreement with V-me Media. It plans to put together a local advisory committee for input on programming.

Florangela Davila: 206-464-2916 or fdavila@seattletimes.com