On December 1, 2008, WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, will officially launch its fourth and newest digital channel called "WSRE V-me." V-me (pronounced "veh-meh"), is a new, national Spanish-language television network that brings a new kind of quality entertainment to Latino viewers, featuring the best of public television. Through its relationships with world-class content producers and a unique partnership with American public television stations, V-me will offer a fresh alternative in Spanish television that engages, entertains, empowers and inspires its viewers. The network is a 24-hour digital broadcast network presented by public television stations around the country over-the-air for free, via cable systems and satellite. The channel is available over-the-air with a converter box on 23-4, Cox Communications on channel 706, or Riviera Cable (Foley, Ala.) on channel 826. The station hopes to add more cable carriage soon. Additional information about V-me can be found at www.vmetv.com.

"All across the country, Latinos want more from media - more visibility, more quality and more choices," said Carmen DiRienzo, president of V-me. "V-me provides intelligent entertainment that explores interests and issues Hispanics share with all Americans, and connects the many diverse Latino communities across the country."

V-me's programming features a mix of original productions, exclusive premieres and acquisitions, and the best of public television adapted for American Latinos. Content is broadly organized into four main categories:

Kids - High-quality Spanish-language preschool programs, educational online resources for children and parents, and local activities;

Lifestyle - Latino-focused food, travel, design, home and self improvement, parenting, health and well-being;

Factual and current affairs - Intelligent entertainment and opinions: history, technology, nature, current affairs, news and biography

Movies and special events - Contemporary Spanish-language films every night, plus international concerts and special events

"As a Public Broadcasting station, we serve the public, the people of our community, and Latinos and Spanish-speakers are an increasingly significant part of that public. With V-me, added to our lineup of services, we are able to fulfill our mission and serve this vitally important new audience," says WSRE General Manager, Sandy Cesaretti Ray. "We are pleased to be able to offer a wide array of programming and coordinating educ

Other digital channels broadcast by WSRE include, 23.1 - WSRE HD, our signature PBS programming in high definition (HD) when available; 23.2 - WSRE World, PBS news, science, public affairs and nature programming; and 23.3 - WSRE Plus, a combination of programming from the Florida Knowledge Network; the Florida Channel; and your favorite cooking, sewing, gardening, etc. programs from CREATE.

WSRE is helping to prepare the public for the DTV transition that all broadcast television stations are required to make by February 17, 2009. For questions about the transition, call (850) 484-1200. To find out how to get WSRE's four digital channels and the programming schedules visit www.wsre.org/channels.asp.