TRACE TROPICAL has been elected “best music channel of the year” by the European jury of the HOT BIRD TV Awards 2009, event sponsored by satellite operator Eutelsat. TRACE TROPICAL is the only French channel in competition among 150 channels from 20 different countries to win an award across the different categories.
On air since March 2009, TRACE TROPICAL is the latest channel launched by urban media group TRACE. The channel’s unique content is exclusively dedicated to tropical hits: Salsa, Reggae, Zouk, Soca, Bossa Nova, Reggaeton, Bachata etc. As soon as it was launched, TRACE TROPICAL successfully positioned itself in the media landscape and found its audience amongst millions of viewers passionate about Latin, Caribbean, African and World music and culture. TRACE TROPICAL is available in France -via CanalSat, Free and Orange- in the Netherlands, in Ukraine and in 20 other African countries, including Nigeria. More launches are planned in Asia, the Caribbean and the Middle East in the coming months.
TRACE TROPICAL has been very ambitious since its launch regarding its co-production policy. In addition to the diversified programming of the best tropical music clips, the channel also airs exclusive documentaries and event concerts of tropical music. TRACE TROPICAL will be the first channel to air the 30th anniversary concert of the iconic group Kassav’, which was recently held in front of 60,000 people in Paris, at the Stade de France, and will also broadcast 5 exclusive musical documentaries made in Trinidad, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico and French Guyana with legendary artists of this region.
“The rapid success of TRACE TROPICAL internationally, as well as its recognition by the professionals of the HOT BIRD TV Awards, are the evidence that this channel was necessary in the musical landscape worldwide. There is clearly an audience and a demand for tropical music, despite it being slighted by traditional media. The involvement of TRACE in urban and tropical music since our debut required us to launch this channel. We are proud of this award and of the support of our hundreds of thousands of viewers”, said Olivier Laouchez, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO of TRACE.
Launched in 2003 following the acquisition of TRACE magazine and MCM Africa TV channel, TRACE is the first international brand and media group focused on urban music and cultures. The TRACE media brands are present in 145 counties through 4 TV channels, radios, mobile phone licensing, web sites and music events. In 2010, TRACE will be launching TRACE Sports HD, the first TV channel dedicated to sports celebrities. TRACE is owned by its founders and management, Goldman Sachs as well as individual investors.
RYANSTADT is an official distribution agnt for TRACE TROPICAL in Baltic States.