Latino Media Network acquires KLAT

[BamaTX]

Latino Media Network, a new media company founded by social entrepreneurs Stephanie Valencia and Jess Morales Rocketto and backed by several Latino luminaries has announced it will acquire TelevisaUnivision’s radio properties in ten markets for $60 million.

The deal includes eighteen stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, McAllen, Fresno, and Las Vegas.

Deal includes stations in 10 markets.

It's an odd deal for the new start-up. In some markets, such as Las Vegas and McAllen, LMN acquired the entire cluster. While in others, such as Houston and Chicago, they only purchased a lone, forgotten AM station.

I'm assuming they're going to launch a syndicated radio network because I don't see anything else working tbh. I wonder if there is more to come from TelevisaUnivision or are they simply unloading unprofitable stations and markets where Univision TV isn't O&O (Fresno Univision TV is O&O, so who knows)? I guess this also means TUDN Radio will live on 93.3.

 

[jt99]

Fresno and LRGV were the only diary markets left for Univision, so it seems they wanted to get out of diary markets. Las Vegas is a PPM market, but while they were able to do well with KISF in the diary days, Univision's results in Las Vegas during the PPM era have been very poor for whatever reason, so it makes sense for them to leave Las Vegas as well.

Considering that they were able to unload KFZO in the deal, I'm surprised they chose to hang on to KQBU-FM given its awful numbers of late.

 

[Mediafrog+]

Am curious what will happen with TUDN on KLAT 1010, as it appears the deal provides for continuing the format for a year after the sale. But with TUDN simulcast partner KQBU 93.3 being retained by Univision, does that make any sense?

The thought has occurred to me that if Estrella Media decides to get out of the radio business that Latino Media Network could snatch up those stations and combine them with the properties in this present deal. Would be transformative for both the Houston and DFW markets.

 

[davideduardo]

Am curious what will happen with TUDN on KLAT 1010, as it appears the deal provides for continuing the format for a year after the sale. But with TUDN simulcast partner KQBU 93.3 being retained by Univision, does that make any sense?

The thought has occurred to me that if Estrella Media decides to get out of the radio business that Latino Media Network could snatch up those stations and combine them with the properties in this present deal. Would be transformative for both the Houston and DFW markets.

It sounds like the new group is focused on news and talk. Those Estrella stations are music operations and would be second, third, even fourth stations for the new group.

From the statements on record, the new group seems to be interested in commentary and news and is thinking of using multiple platforms for distribution.

 

[BamaTX]

Considering that they were able to unload KFZO in the deal, I'm surprised they chose to hang on to KQBU-FM given its awful numbers of late.

I find it odd that they chose to unload KFZO over KESS-FM.

 

[davideduardo]

I find it odd that they chose to unload KFZO over KESS-FM.

KESS FM complements KDXX. Only together do they form a viable facility.

 

[Mrtejano]

I read on this board on another category that the new owners will take over after the 4th quarter on 2024.

 

[davideduardo]

I read on this board on another category that the new owners will take over after the 4th quarter on 2024.

They will own it much sooner, but for the first 12 months Univision will provide programming to the stations.

 

[Mediafrog+]

I get the feeling that this new network is going to be much like the old Radio Unica, and will meet the same fate. Or a Hispanic version of Air America, with similar results.

Anyone want to speculate on the format that will replace the new format that replaces TUDN on KLAT?

 

[Mrtejano]

I get the feeling that this new network is going to be much like the old Radio Unica, and will meet the same fate. Or a Hispanic version of Air America, with similar results.

Anyone want to speculate on the format that will replace the new format that replaces TUDN on KLAT?

It will be talk shows all day. News, possibly sports, interviews ect ect.

 

[davideduardo]

It will be talk shows all day. News, possibly sports, interviews ect ect.

Don't get ahead of yourself. Univision is contracted to program the stations for a full year after the closing, so we likely will not see change until late 2023.

 

[HTX]

possibly sports

I think they should do Spanish sports

 

[davideduardo]

I think they should do Spanish sports

Remember that the purchaser is headed by two Democratic Party activists and they are financed by George Soros. They have an eventual agenda which they have already publicized.

 

[Mas Musica]

Si, va a ser un cadena muy political....which will be fun to watch what happens in South Florida Un grand boxing fight..
... Senor....they purchased stations which no matter what they do..they will not get ratings....Univision could not sell much advertising on those stations.....so not sure if they know que deficil..... that is to do......If they think $$ will just flow in porque they have good Spanish Talk hosts...then they will fail for sure.

 

[davideduardo]

Univision could not sell much advertising on those stations.....so not sure if they know que deficil.....

WAQI last year was about tied with WEDR and WQAM in billing... just behind WRMA, WMIB and WIOD. It does not bill badly, but the format is expensive to do.

WAQI also bills more than the 3 Las Vegas stations combined, and almost as much as the 3 FMs in Fresno that they are selling also.

The group they are selling together billed about $32 million, so the price is just under 2x the gross revenue.

 

[BamaTX]

Si, va a ser un cadena muy political....which will be fun to watch what happens in South Florida Un grand boxing fight..

I don't think many will care in the long run tbh. IIRC there is already another conservative talk station in town. It's not as popular, but I assume many Mambi listeners will gravitate towards it eventually (that is if another conservative talker doesn't appear).

I know Cuban Americans are more politically engaged than their Mexican American counterparts, but I do wonder how Spanish-language conservative talk will do in places such as Houston. Houston Hispanics have only been subjected to variety AM talk (such as health, sports, finance) and left leaning politics. I'm not sure anyone has attempted to reach the socially conservative Catholics of this town. The costs would be astronomical to launch in a single market, so it'll likely never happen.

 

[davideduardo]

I know Cuban Americans are more politically engaged than their Mexican American counterparts, but I do wonder how Spanish-language conservative talk will do in places such as Houston. Houston Hispanics have only been subjected to variety AM talk (such as health, sports, finance) and left leaning politics. I'm not sure anyone has attempted to reach the socially conservative Catholics of this town. The costs would be astronomical to launch in a single market, so it'll likely never happen.

The only proven talk format for audiences in the Southwest has always avoided pure partisan politics. The subjects, instead, cover social issues, health, education for children, relationships, jobs, understanding US legal systems, immigration and residency issues and the like. News about Mexico, unless related to topics like storms and disasters and earthquakes, is of little interest.

The only audience that Spanish talk attracts are first generation immigrants. There is nearly no appeal among later generations and the 18-34 appeal is limited unless there is an amount of relationship talk and, of course, sports talk.

And it has to be very local. It has been proven by multiple failed networks that localism is essential... and unlike today's English language talk, a lot more audience participation is essential.

 

[stan]

I don't think many will care in the long run tbh. IIRC there is already another conservative talk station in town. It's not as popular, but I assume many Mambi listeners will gravitate towards it eventually (that is if another conservative talker doesn't appear).

I got the impression from reading several articles that these would not be conservative talk stations.

 

[BamaTX]

Took a listen to 93.3 this morning (there is some slight DX this morning) and I couldn't help but notice that the show was doing news and non-sports commentary throughout my entire commute. My Spanish is rustier than Trump's wall, but even I could tell they were presenting the recent overturning of Row v Wade in a negative tone and trying to set the tone/mood for the listeners with statistics that made it seem like a bad thing (I don't care what your stance on abortion is...I'm simply pointing out that the news seemed to be delivered with a prepared narrative...so let's please save any political discussion to the proper subforum).

Has Univision Radio started prepping the station for the eventual sale? Or has this programming always been part of the TUDN national feed? I only assume they're a national feed since they read out the time in both Eastern and Pacific time zones.

The other interesting thing I noticed is that they practically have no ads at the moment. Their "commercial" break consisted of announcements for other Univision programming. Even Latino Mix still has their reminder for people to switch over to 104.9. With the sale likely closing, one has to wonder what Univision's plans are for 93.3? There's a chance TUDN Radio may eventually fold once the transition is complete and they no longer have any O&O TUDN stations. I just don't see Univision keeping TUDN Radio around just to satisfy the few affiliates they have in the southwest. If this is likely the case, why not launch a different format already?

 

[Mrtejano]

Took a listen to 93.3 this morning (there is some slight DX this morning) and I couldn't help but notice that the show was doing news and non-sports commentary throughout my entire commute. My Spanish is rustier than Trump's wall, but even I could tell they were presenting the recent overturning of Row v Wade in a negative tone and trying to set the tone/mood for the listeners with statistics that made it seem like a bad thing (I don't care what your stance on abortion is...I'm simply pointing out that the news seemed to be delivered with a prepared narrative...so let's please save any political discussion to the proper subforum).

Has Univision Radio started prepping the station for the eventual sale? Or has this programming always been part of the TUDN national feed? I only assume they're a national feed since they read out the time in both Eastern and Pacific time zones.

The other interesting thing I noticed is that they practically have no ads at the moment. Their "commercial" break consisted of announcements for other Univision programming. Even Latino Mix still has their reminder for people to switch over to 104.9. With the sale likely closing, one has to wonder what Univision's plans are for 93.3? There's a chance TUDN Radio may eventually fold once the transition is complete and they no longer have any O&O TUDN stations. I just don't see Univision keeping TUDN Radio around just to satisfy the few affiliates they have in the southwest. If this is likely the case, why not launch a different format already?

They always have news non related to sports on TUDN Radio. And right now they’re still linked to KLAT 1010. Once the new owners take over TUDN will only be on 93.3 FM unless like you mentioned they flip formats.