Spanish Language Radio pioneer, Julio Liberman passed

Spanish Language Radio pioneer, Julio Liberman, passed away on March 3rd. He was 87. Along with his brother, Jose and Elias, Julio purchased XEGM in Tijuana in the 60’s and extended its reach to Los Angeles. In 1974, they purchased KLVE in Los Angeles and flipped the format to Spanish. This was the first Spanish language station in Los Angeles, and only the second in the entire United States. The success of KLVE was the inducement for other broadcasters to launch similar Hispanic-community serving Spanish language stations, and for that, the industry and the Hispanic community are humbly indebted. Julio was the recipient of Radio Ink’s Lifetime Leadership Award, the highest honor of the Medallas de Cortez Awards, in 2013. He is the father of Entravision’s COO Jeff Liberman.

Having had the honor of working in the US Hispanic Radio Industry for over 25 years, our Industry lore and icons puts Julio Liberman at the top of the list. Along with his brothers, they pioneered Hispanic Radio in Southern California and on a national level. Their efforts paved the way and served as a model for other Hispanic focused broadcasters and markets, that Hispanic formatted radio stations could become the dominant formats and power houses like KTNQ-AM/KLVE-FM. Their efforts were truly a family affair. Many Hispanic and non-Hispanic executives owe their careers to his efforts.

They also established the benchmark for the sale price of an AM/FM combo in any format or market at the time when they sold KTNQ-AM/KLVE-FM.

Julio te vamos a extrañar. Que en paz descanses.

To the Liberman family our thoughts and prayers go out to you.

Gene Bryan / CEO – HispanicAd