Clear Channel Hits Hispanic Radio Trail

Clear Channel Radio intends to be a major player in the burgeoning Hispanic radio market and last week, the San Antonio-based radio giant committed to convert up to 25 of its 1,200 stations to Spanish-language formats over the next 12-18 months.

“While the strides made in serving the Hispanic radio market have been significant to date, my focus will be on identifying opportunities to bring Spanish-language radio formats to all-sized markets,” said Alfredo Alonso, Clear Channel svp of Hispanic radio, who most recently served as chairman, president and CEO of Mega Communications, owner of 20 Hispanic radio stations.

The rollout began last week with the launch of Viva in Atlanta, simulcast on WWVA-FM and WVWA-FM.