Paul de Barros from the Seattle Times, reported last month that the number of Spanish-language radio stations serving the Seattle area may double — to four — by the end of the year.
Entercom Communications has arranged for the sale of KNWX-AM to Bustos Media of Sacramento, Calif. KNWX now broadcasts news and business programs in English.Bustos plans to convert the station to Spanish programming in the fall, with new call letters, pending federal approval.
Recently, another station, KTFH-AM , debuted with 22 hours of Spanish-language programming. By the end of July, says a station representative, it will broadcast in Spanish 24 hours. KTFH is owned by Salem Communications, which operates the Spanish station KKMO-AM (Radio Sol).
The fourth Spanish-language station is KXPA-AM,owned by Multicultural Broadcasting, broadcasts Spanish programming 23 hours daily.
The increase in Spanish-language radio reflects the dramatic rise in the local Hispanic population. Between 1990 and 2002, the number of Hispanics in King and Pierce counties more than doubled, from 65,000 to 146,000. Spanish-language stations nevertheless have a small base, compared with other radio stations.
Read the whole article at The Seattle Times
