Radio

Entravision Communications Corporation announced the debut of its new Fuego 99.5 FM Hot Hits radio station serving Harlingen, Brownsville and McAllen, TX

With furloughs and layoffs clouding the efforts of media companies who continue to excel during one of the most difficult eras for the U.S. since World War II, thanks to the novel coronavirus pandemic, some good financial news is most certainly welcomed.  Look no further than the Q4 and full-year 2019 results released late Tuesday (3/30) by Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS).  By Adam Jacobson

Uforia, the Home of Latin Music, announced the release of “Cuenta Conmigo,” (Count With Me) a musical anthem featuring top Regional Mexican artists created to motivate and inspire Hispanics to participate in the 2020 U.S. Census. The song is part of Univision’s broader multi-platform community empowerment campaign that includes PSAs and special programming on Univision’s networks, local television and radio stations, and digital properties aimed at ensuring a fair and accurate count of the Hispanic community.

Univision Miami has announced that Emmy-award winning journalist Jose Alfonso Almora and South Florida’s beloved Father Albert Cutié (also known as Padre Alberto) will each host new local shows on Univision’s Miami radio station WQBA 1140 AM.

More than one-third of Americans age 12 and over (104 Million) are consuming podcasts regularly, up significantly from 2019, according to The Infinite Dial 2020® from Edison Research and Triton Digital.

Entravision Communications Corporation announced the debut of “El Show del Mandril,” effective today. The new morning show will be live every Monday-Friday from 6AM-10AM PST and will air in the Los Angeles market on VIVA 103.1 FM.

As technology consumers we make tradeoffs.

Estrella Media, Inc announced the appointment of radio veteran Eddie León, as executive vice president, Radio Programming effective immediately.

Entravision Communications Corporation announced the extension of its long term partnerships with Oswaldo Diaz and Eddie “Piolín” Sotelo. Entravision entered into a new two-year affiliation agreement with Oswaldo Diaz for his hit “El Show de Erazno y La Chokolata” to be carried on its radio stations. Also, under the separate agreements, Entravision has extended its programming and advertising representation agreement with Eddie “Piolín” Sotelo and his hit midday program, “El Show de Piolín.” Piolín’s contract extension will run through December 2020.

Lazer Broadcasting and UNANIMO Deportes announced the official launch of its affiliate station KSFN-AM 1510 in San Francisco, CA. KSFN-AM 1510 will be a 24/7 broadcasting affiliate and will be known as UNANIMO Deportes San Francisco

Katz Media Group announced that Rick Ramos has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Multicultural Partnerships, effective immediately.  Ramos will report to Tucker Flood, President of Eastman Radio at Katz Radio Group.

Gen Media Partners announced the addition of Erazno y La Chokolata to an exclusive ad and affiliate sales representation deal. The Hispanic afternoon-drive comedy program from Ten Mask, LLC is heard on 77 radio stations in 50 markets, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Antonio, Las Vegas, Sacramento, Fresno, Tucson, San Francisco, and more.

Lazer Broadcasting has expanded its national ad sales relationship with Gen Media Partners (GMP) by moving its entire portfolio of 43 Spanish Language radio stations to Gen Media Partners exclusively.

Entravision Communications Corporation announced the promotion of Crystal Gomez to Vice President Local Agency and National Sales for radio assets in Los Angeles.

Lotus Communications announced that national ad sales representation for its entire group of Spanish Language radio stations will be handled exclusively by Gen Media Partners (GMP). The deal includes top-rated Lotus stations, such as KWID, Las Vegas; KVMX, Sacramento; KCMT and KTKT, Tucson; KIWI and KPSL, Bakersfield; KLBN and KHIT, Fresno, as well as the legendary Los Angeles Spanish Language sports station KWKW and its sister oldies music station KFWB.

Amid the flurry of media headlines about the growing depth of the video streaming market, it’s easy for our other media options to get lost in the fanfare. Yet as the streaming wars heat up, it’s important to be mindful of just how much time consumers are spending with different media options.

Hometown pride is a very real emotion that likely exists in the majority of Americans from coast to coast. To get a better sense of hometown pride, ask people if they listen a little more intently at the mere mention of their hometown? Do they have an affinity for a local sports team no matter how good or bad they may be? Do they tend to compare other places to their hometown. Have they ever heard a story stemming from a friend’s hometown? If the answer is yes to any or all of these questions, that is the impact localism has on creating personal relevance and meaningful connections with consumers.

In mid-April, it became known that Univision Communications wants the FCC’s approval to have one of its many wholly owned subsidiaries take on direct ownership of Univision Radio. The subsidiary is based in Mexico, and as such a foreign ownership ruling has been requested of the Commission.

Mike Agovino makes no bones about it: Nielsen Audio and, before that, Arbitron, did a disservice to Hispanic radio in the nation’s No. 1 Spanish-language media marketplace by shifting to Portable People Meter (PPM) exposure-based methodology.  Based on that methodology, Agovino says the E-Plus test results point to “a very healthy state” for Spanish-language radio and its competitive position in Los Angeles.  By Adam Jacobson

It is no secret that Univision Communications, led by CEO Vince Sadusky, has been looking to deleverage. With the September delivery of the privately held company’s Q2 results, Sadusky reiterated a July 3 company statement confirming that Univision’s Board of Directors is reviewing strategic options and that Univision has engaged financial advisors to assist with the process.  By Adam Jacobson