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After three decades of uninterrupted presence in South Florida, América TeVe-Canal 41 ceased its transmissions by court order.
The ruling, stemming from a lawsuit that dates back to the group's bankruptcy declaration in 2019 and pitted the former owners against the Pegaso Televisión consortium and other shareholders, resulted in the eviction of the building located in Hialeah Gardens.
In the mass dismissal of staff, many workers left in tears, according to testimonies collected by CaféFuerte.
Emergency takeover and evacuation
On Thursday at noon, the Human Resources director of the channel was called in to inform the employees of the termination of their employment.
A witness to the closure, who requested anonymity, revealed that the operations manager, Miguel Cossío, addressed them through a video conference to inform them that they had to leave.
The company Hispania Entertainment placed ownership seals on all the entrances of the building and distributed notices stating that América CV Network will no longer operate the channel's frequency.
In parallel, América Radio 1260 AM has been relocated to a different property in Miami, where it will continue broadcasting its regular content with the same technical staff.
A years-long legal dispute
The closure implements the final ruling issued on March 19 of this year by the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, which granted Pegaso Televisión ownership of 65% of the stock capital of América TeVe.
The ruling, the result of a lengthy appeals process in the Eleventh Circuit of Atlanta, resolved the dispute that began after the bankruptcy of America-CV Station Group in 2019.
On April 22, the Board of Directors of Caribevision TV Network dismissed Spanish businessman Carlos Vasallo from his positions as president and CEO, following accusations of "well-documented cases of self-negotiation and numerous breaches of his fiduciary duties."
Objectives of the new administration
In a statement released after the eviction, Pegaso Televisión emphasized its commitment to the U.S. legal framework and expressed its intention to revive the station:
"The General Shareholders' Assembly of America TeVe, held at the end of April, appointed a new Board of Directors. The primary objective of this restructuring is to ensure the operational continuity of the broadcaster, strengthen its position in the radio spectrum, and regain its leadership and ratings in the Hispanic market of Miami, thereby effectively serving its audience and community."
However, the same document warned that the new board has been unable to assume its functions due to "questionable actions by third parties" and that "the situation is once again in court."
The company stated that it will continue to operate within the law and is confident in the swift resolution of this situation.
Uncertainty about the future
With the cameras off and the consoles taken apart, the immediate challenge for the new management will be to keep the signal of Canal 41 alive to prevent the license from expiring with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Meanwhile, pre-recorded content and reruns will be broadcasted with a reduced team of technicians. Live programming and the presenters' roster are on hold until a court ruling clarifies the final assumption of office.
Trajectory of América TeVe
Founded in 1994 by Argentine businessman Omar Romay, América TeVe was created to serve the growing Hispanic audience in Miami.
In May 2005, he moved his production center to a modern 85,000 square foot studio in Hialeah Gardens, which boosted an increase in his offering of local news, entertainment, and community programs. For years, he managed to capture up to 10% of the Spanish-speaking audience during prime time, competing with nationally recognized networks.
Its closure thus marks the conclusion of a corporate battle and leaves the fate of one of the most recognizable voices for Spanish speakers in South Florida hanging in the balance.
While the legal dispute continues, employees and viewers are awaiting a resolution that will restore normalcy to the channel's broadcasts.
Frequently asked questions about the closure of America TeVe and its impact on the media in Miami
Why did America TeVe-Channel 41 close in Miami?
The closure of America TeVe-Canal 41 is due to a court order resulting from a lawsuit related to the group's bankruptcy declaration in 2019. The court ruling granted Pegaso Televisión ownership of 65% of the share capital, leading to the eviction of the building in Hialeah Gardens and the dismissal of staff. The situation has been complicated by legal disputes concerning the final takeover by the new board of directors.
What is the future of America TeVe after its closure?
Pegaso Televisión, the new management, has expressed its intention to revive the station and strengthen its position in the Hispanic market of Miami. However, the new board has been unable to assume its duties due to "questionable actions by third parties," and the situation remains in court. In the meantime, pre-recorded content and reruns will be broadcast to keep the Channel 41 signal active and avoid the expiration of the license with the FCC.
How does the closure of America TeVe affect its employees and the Hispanic community in Miami?
The closure of America TeVe has resulted in massive layoffs and has left many employees in uncertainty. The channel, which played an important role in the Hispanic community by providing local news and entertainment, now leaves a void in the media landscape of Miami. The community is waiting for a resolution that would allow the channel to resume operations under new management.
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