Miami's Spanish Language Radio/TV stations a possible steady decline?

[Stormychuck]

Miami's Spanish language broadcast facility's no doubt play an integral part in Miami's diverse broadcast community's history and has for the last 35 or 40 years or so. The early 60's saw an influx of Cuban immigrants as it did again in 1980 which gave rise to an increase of Spanish language broadcast stations, very few in the 1960's and 1970's but they were made available for our Spanish speaking neighbor's, and why shouldn't they're have been.

I'm afraid as the decades move forward there will be a steady decline in Miami of anything Spanish language broadcast whether it's radio or for that fact TV. The Cuban immigrants of early years who elected to set up home an shop here have all raised their children in Miami, their kid's who were born in South Florida have all attended English language schools and as we move ahead their Kid's kid's and their kid's will have all attended English language schools thus the possible decline of anything Spanish language. Their are many Cuban/American family's who live in Miami requiring the English language only to be spoken within their home, only the grandparents still rely as it stands on Spanish as their main language. Although not true in every case, in a bi-lingual sort of sense, it's moving in that direction and quickly.

Cuban/Americans the ones who were born in South Florida and their family's family's are all but Americanized they are American's and live anything American and that includes the language.

The possible decline of Spanish language radio/TV broadcast outlets in Miami could possibly be a reality and in years and decades that follow, as Spanish culture changes, so will the need for anything Spanish language broadcast, I'm afraid one by one Spanish language radio/TV stations will end up shelved due to loss of audience share and that in itself would be unfortunate.

 

[Hockeyfan]

Probably a lot of truth to that observation. One of my secretaries, a Cuban born person, has a son who refuses to speak Spanish to his parents, much to their dismay although it is my understanding that he is totally capable of doing so. .

 

[davideduardo]

The possible decline of Spanish language radio/TV broadcast outlets in Miami could possibly be a reality and in years and decades that follow, as Spanish culture changes, so will the need for anything Spanish language broadcast, I'm afraid one by one Spanish language radio/TV stations will end up shelved due to loss of audience share and that in itself would be unfortunate.

Over half the 25-54 Hispanic population in the MSA is not from Cuba or of Cuban heritage. The predominant groups are Colombian, Puerto Rican and Dominican, with Ecuadorians and Venezuelans increasing rapidly in number.

And then there is what the Strategy Research / U of M study called cultural reversion where certain life events, such as fammily formation with women, cause a signuificant return to heritage language and cultural values.

Since the Miami area depends so much on trade with Latin America, the use of Spanish, if it declines, will be a slow, slow erosion. Radio itself will change faster than the language pressures on formats will occur.

 

[davideduardo]

Probably a lot of truth to that observation. One of my secretaries, a Cuban born person, has a son who refuses to speak Spanish to his parents, much to their dismay although it is my understanding that he is totally capable of doing so. .

Several of my daughters (one Miami born) tend to speak English first with me; if I reply repeatedly in Spanish, they switch to Spanish. I think this is more a "see, I can do it" statement than anything else.

 

[radioguy39nj]

If all this be the case, how can Miami support 7 Spanish FM outlets? ???

 

[Stormychuck]

Thankyou both Hockeyfan and DaveEduardo: I'm fortunate enough to speak both languages, mine and yours, growing up in my hometown of Miami its what was available, Miami has always been a Spanish speaking community even as far back as the turn of the century I'm guessing, with trades from South America, Puerto Rico, and Cuba before disagreements and internal strife's
with that island nation South Florida was and still is an International trade port.

Hockeyfan there's truth in what you pointed out in your comment and it works both ways within the home.

Fortunately the Spanish language won't go away, however South Florida Spanish broadcast facilities will in time, maybe not all, but a vast majority of them will cease to broadcast the Spanish language....

 

[Mike Sheridan]

A very interesting topic and one I had not considered but I should have. My father was Italian and spoke both English and Italian. Dad's family was a typical large one for the time. He had 8 brothers and 2 sisters. At the last family reunion in 2000 I asked the cousins who attended if any of them could speak Italian. Sadly none of them could. The only good thing was after that I didn't feel like such a slacker for not learning.

I think English and Spanish should be taught in school. It never hurts to know a second language. One day I'll learn.

 

[Stormychuck]

Thanks Mike: South Florida Schools still have Spanish language classes, but in time I think Spanish will be all but a novelty language in the South Florida area. I neglected to mention The Miami Herald's, El Herald, Spanish news print also will fall by the wayside as the language declines including as mentioned Radio and Spanish TV.

 

[davideduardo]

Thanks Mike: South Florida Schools still have Spanish language classes, but in time I think Spanish will be all but a novelty language in the South Florida area. I neglected to mention The Miami Herald's, El Herald, Spanish news print also will fall by the wayside as the language declines including as mentioned Radio and Spanish TV.

Don't forget the dozens and dozens of private and Catholic schools where instruction is bilingual.