Hispanic ad revenue to soar.

Already the largest and fastest growing minority in the U.S., Hispanics are expected to provide even more robust revenue and cash flow growth for cable and broadcast networks and TV and radio station operators in the near future, according to a new report by Kagan Research. Hispanic advertising is expected to outpace that of the general market, reaching $5.5 billion in gross ad revenue by 2010.

In a study entitled "Economics of Hispanic TV and Radio in the U.S.," Kagan forecasts bigger growth curves for cable nets than broadcast nets. The study also found that although the Hispanic demo has lower multichannel penetration than the general population, services are expected to gain ground in the next 10 years. Penetration is expected to reach 71.7 percent by 2010.

Programming seems to be a potential growth area for all distribution outlets. Cable networks will increase program expenses most quickly, while broadcast networks are likely to have slower growth.

Spanish radio stations are also projected to outpace their English-language peers by 2010.