When I used to think of Spanish language programming, Univision and Telemundo were the only options out there. I'm not a native speaker of Spanish, but as a student of the language, I was intrigued by the idea. Alas, our local cable outlet didn't offer either station in my town, so I never got to sample everyday Spanish programming. I got a small taste from a teacher who would tape blocks of commercials and play them in the background of our advanced Spanish class when we were working independently. It was interesting, but a bit disheartening to hear so much I couldn't understand after numerous years of Spanish. I also felt a bit cheated that I was seeing the promos for so many shows that I would never get to see mixed in with commercials for soap and toothpaste. I've since learned the Mexican telenovela (a form of soap opera that's generally even more dramatic and over the top than U.S. soap operas) isn't for me, so I wasn't really missing much.

Over the years, as I've moved from high school to college and into an apartment of my own, I've had a chance to experience various Spanish language channels. In bigger cities it's common to find at least one of these channels as part of even the most basic cable programming package. As the Latino population grows, so too do the opportunities to watch television in Spanish. The best selection of Spanish language channels can be found on satellite. Both Dish Network and DirecTV offer packages with dozens of Spanish channels. They are a mix of channels based in the United States and feeds from South and Central America. Some are even Spanish versions of powerhouse cable/satellite channels like ESPN or HBO.

HBO Latino, for instance, primarily plays the same programming as HBO with a Spanish language track. At the same time, they also show exclusive Spanish language movies from around the world. ESPN Deportes is soccer (or futbol) heavy in its programming. There are even Pay Per View channels that offer American movies dubbed in Spanish and movies from the Spanish speaking world, much like HBO Latino. Galavision is another generic channel that has joined the ranks of Univision and Telemundo. MTV is another station that offers a channel that is not only broadcast in Spanish, but also features Latin American artists beyond Ricky Martin and Shakira.

If you want to hear television programs in Spanish but aren't in the mood for some of the telenovelas and variety shows that Univision features, another option is to utilize alternate audio on your television. Perhaps you've seen the SAP logo of "alternate audio available" flash on the screen at the beginning of a show. This means that alternate audio streams are being broadcast in other languages, most often Spanish. Turning on alternate audio is a setting in your television or through your digital cable/satellite box. Your instruction manual can take you through the steps of turning on this handy feature.

So whether you're a student of the language or a native speaker of Spanish, your options for watching Spanish language programming have never been greater. Make the most of the opportunity!