June 9 (Bloomberg) -- Grupo Televisa SA, the world's largest Spanish-language broadcaster, said it is looking at various opportunities to expand in the U.S. Hispanic market, including a bid to increase its holding in Los Angeles-based broadcaster Univision Communications Inc.

``Grupo Televisa sees the U.S. Hispanic market as a very attractive growth market,'' the Mexico City-based broadcaster said in an e-mailed statement. ``Televisa is exploring a number of opportunities to maximize its potential in this market.''

Televisa is planning to create its own U.S. broadcasting network should it fail to acquire Univision, the largest U.S. Hispanic broadcaster, the Financial Times reported today, citing people it didn't name. The report said Televisa is in talks with the Telemundo unit of General Electric Co.'s NBC television, Paxson Communications Corp. and McGraw-Hill Cos. on creating a partnership.

A Televisa spokesman in Mexico City declined to comment on the report.

Televisa, which owns 11.4 percent of Univision, has teamed up with investors including Bill Gates's Cascade Investment LLC, Blackstone Group LP, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and Carlyle Group to acquire Univision. Under U.S. law, Televisa as a foreign company can own as much as 25 percent of Univision.

Televisa's shares trading in New York fell 25 cents, or 1.4 percent, to $17.65 as of 12:30 p.m. New York time. Univision's shares dropped 50 cents, or 1.4 percent, to $35.10.

To contact the reporter on this story: Thomas Black in Monterrey at tblack@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: June 9, 2006 12:35 EDT