In many markets with a large Latino population, AM owners are airing ESPN Deportes. I think that's wise in the West and Southwest. But it really makes no sense in most Eastern markets. Owners mistakenly see Deportes as a generic Sports network that happens to be in Spanish. But it's not. It's very much aimed at Mexican-American sports fans.
Disney ended its AM-FM simulcast in New York to put Deportes on 50,000 watt 1050. What a dumb move! OK, I understand the value of having a NYC affiliate for most national formats, although there's no fulltime NYC outlet for any of the other 24 hour sports networks, not Fox, CBS, NBC, Yahoo... not even ESPN in English. 98.7 WEPN-FM only airs a few ESPN programs each day and WFAN-AM-FM, while owned by CBS, only airs a few CBS Sports features, never any of the network's programs.
While their numbers are growing, currently there simply aren't enough Mexican-Americans in the NY market to support a single Regional Mexican music station. It was tried for a while on an AM station in the 90s and more recently on a Class A FM near the Queens-Long Island border. Neither station had enough listeners to make it viable. So what makes Disney think a station aimed at Mexican-American sports fans will work?
Even if you only took a year of high school Spanish, try tuning in your local Deportes affiliate. It's nearly non-stop talk about Soccer (Futbol). Mostly it's about Mexican leagues, but sometimes Central and South American teams and players are discussed. Live soccer games are broadcast. American baseball, football and basketball only occasionally get mentioned.
Sports fans from Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic are no more interested in soccer than English-speaking Americans are. After several months in the Deportes format, 1050 WEPN New York is getting almost no ratings. 1220 WNMA Miami also has little to show for its years as a Deportes affiliate. A few years ago, a Philadelphia station tried it and terminated it quickly. Clear Channel tried Deportes in Atlanta and gave up within months.
Maybe someday someone will syndicate a Spanish language Sports format for Caribbean immigrants where the ligas de beisbol of Puerto Rico, Cuba and the DR are the main topic, along with U.S. sports. But till that day arrives, Deportes is not a substitute.
Disney ended its AM-FM simulcast in New York to put Deportes on 50,000 watt 1050. What a dumb move! OK, I understand the value of having a NYC affiliate for most national formats, although there's no fulltime NYC outlet for any of the other 24 hour sports networks, not Fox, CBS, NBC, Yahoo... not even ESPN in English. 98.7 WEPN-FM only airs a few ESPN programs each day and WFAN-AM-FM, while owned by CBS, only airs a few CBS Sports features, never any of the network's programs.
While their numbers are growing, currently there simply aren't enough Mexican-Americans in the NY market to support a single Regional Mexican music station. It was tried for a while on an AM station in the 90s and more recently on a Class A FM near the Queens-Long Island border. Neither station had enough listeners to make it viable. So what makes Disney think a station aimed at Mexican-American sports fans will work?
Even if you only took a year of high school Spanish, try tuning in your local Deportes affiliate. It's nearly non-stop talk about Soccer (Futbol). Mostly it's about Mexican leagues, but sometimes Central and South American teams and players are discussed. Live soccer games are broadcast. American baseball, football and basketball only occasionally get mentioned.
Sports fans from Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic are no more interested in soccer than English-speaking Americans are. After several months in the Deportes format, 1050 WEPN New York is getting almost no ratings. 1220 WNMA Miami also has little to show for its years as a Deportes affiliate. A few years ago, a Philadelphia station tried it and terminated it quickly. Clear Channel tried Deportes in Atlanta and gave up within months.
Maybe someday someone will syndicate a Spanish language Sports format for Caribbean immigrants where the ligas de beisbol of Puerto Rico, Cuba and the DR are the main topic, along with U.S. sports. But till that day arrives, Deportes is not a substitute.