New station extends Spanish-language programming to non-cable customers

ATLANTA - Hoping to tap into Georgia&#39;s growing Hispanic population, WUVG-TV changed Monday to a Spanish-language format, the first non-cable Spanish channel in metro Atlanta. <br> <br> Spanish-language programming giant Univision bought the struggling station - formerly known as WHOT ``Hotlanta 34&#39;&#39; - last year, along with 14 other USA Networks stations. <br> <br> The 2000 Census showed that Georgia&#39;s Hispanic population tripled to 435,000 between 1990 and 2000. Three-fourths of Georgia Latinos live in WUVG&#39;s 51-county coverage area, which includes Rome, Gainesville, Athens and LaGrange. <br> <br> WUVG plans to augment Univision&#39;s lineup with a local, Spanish news show. <br> <br> The first local show will be ``Nuestra Georgia&#39;&#39; (``Our Georgia&#39;&#39;), which focuses on community affairs. The first guest will be Frank Ros, director of Latin affairs for Coca-Cola North America.