The ABC and Univision Networks have announced a 50-50 joint venture to bring a English-language news, entertainment and lifestyle network to Latino viewers. 

The TV channel will be up and running in 2013 but will do a soft launch over the summer with a web presence to take advantage of the presidential election news cycle.

According to the joint venture press release the purpose of the venture is:  “… dedicated to informing, empowering and inspiring Hispanic Americans in English while providing all audiences with uncompromising coverage of current events with a unique perspective.”

The television venture will provide news coverage, lifestyle reports and provide a social platform for dialogue.  Topics of special focus for the joint venture is the economy, jobs, health care, immigration, education, politics, entertainment, and health living.

ABC News and Univision News will share news gathering and production resources to produce the segments for the 24/7 network.  The network will also feature ABC News and Univision news anchors and correspondents, though a management team has not been announced.