Clear Channel Expands Spanish-Language Stations

Clear Channel Radio is expanding its Spanish-language programming, planning to convert between 20 to 25 stations in the next year to 18 months. The group has also snagged Alfredo Alonso, former vice chairman, president and chief executive officer of Mega Communications. With Clear Channel Radio, Alonso is now senior vice president of Hispanic Radio.
Clear Channel intends to complement existing Spanish-language programming in markets where it already offers Hispanic radio and introducing the format to its markets that don’t have that format now. It has 18 Spanish-language stations now.
Why the extra push?
“The Hispanic radio audience remain largely underserved, especially outside the largest markets,” said Clear Channel Radio CEO John Hogan.
He credited Alonso with helping to create the Spanish-language radio format more than 15 years ago, and specifically the “Mega” and “La X” formats.
Alonso said he would focus on identifying opportunities to bring Spanish-language radio formats to all-sized markets.
The first stations to launch under the expanded rollout will focus on Spanish contemporary music: WWVA(FM) and VIVA(FM), Atlanta.