Our Story

In June 2002, Univision announced an agreement to acquire Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation (NYSE: HSP).  The transaction closed in September 2003.

Formerly Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation - which was established in 1997 through the merger of Tichenor Media Systems and Heftel Broadcasting Corporation, Univision Radio is the largest Spanish-language radio broadcaster in the United States. Univision Radio today owns and/or operates 70 stations in 16 of the top 25 U.S. Hispanic markets, including Los Angeles, New York, Miami, San Francisco/San Jose, Chicago, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, McAllen/Brownsville/Harlingen, San Diego, El Paso, Phoenix, Fresno, Albuquerque and Las Vegas. Univision Radio also owns and operates 5 radio stations in Puerto Rico.

Univision Radio's growth strategy has been to acquire English-language stations, mainly in the largest U.S. Hispanic markets, re-launching them as Spanish-language formatted stations.  Including its affiliates, the Univision Radio network covers approximately 73% of the U.S.  Hispanic population and has over 10 million listeners weekly. 

Our Content

Univision Radio stations are consistently among the top-rated stations in English or Spanish in many of our markets, providing locally focused programming through diverse format offerings. Univision Radio offers 50 distinct, locally programmed station formats, including 34 station formats in the 10 largest U.S. Hispanic markets and 20 station formats in the top 5 U.S. Hispanic markets. Our formats employ a variety of music from throughout the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean to serve the broad and diverse U.S. Hispanic population and include Regional Mexican, Romántica, Tropical, Tejano, Contemporary Hits, Spanish Oldies, Latin Hip Hop, and News/Talk/Sports of particular interest to the Hispanic audience.

The following are brief descriptions of the wide range of options available to the listeners of Univision Radio:

Adult Contemporary
A composition of any combination of the following formats: Romántica, Ballads, International Pop Hits and Top 40 Hits.
  • Romántica and Balada -This is an easy listening format that by nature consists of ballads and romantic, poetic love songs.

  • International Pop Hits - This format is a melting pot of Latin American, European, and Caribbean music.  The appeal of this format comes from its receiving international airplay.

  • Top 40 Hits - This format features popular groups and performers from all categories with current single hit releases.
Regional
The Regional format is made up of different types of music from Mexico.  Regional is a mix of the following musical styles: Banda, Ranchera, Mariachi and Norteña.
  • Banda - This format consists of music from groups or "conjuntos" that play the "Regional" Mexican music.

  • Ranchera - Due to its traditional folkloric sound, Ranchera music is popular throughout Mexico and has become a symbol of the entire country.  Ranchera usually features guitars and horns.  It is extremely popular throughout the Northern region of Mexico ("El Norte").  It is considered indigenous to Mexicans who have lived in country (pueblo) towns.

  • Mariachi - This folkloric music originated in Mexico.  Mariachi usually features guitars and horns.  Mariachi is similar to Ranchera and Norteña.

  • Norteña - Meaning "Northern", this music is representative of Northern Mexico.  It is similar to the Polka, but has a defined Mexican flavor.  Norteña music most always features an accordion.  Norteña is very popular among Mexicans living in the U.S., as many of these immigrants have emigrated from Northern Mexico.  Moreover, Norteña is regionalized music, similar to Country and Western music from Nashville.  It has Mariachi overtones and it is also the base for Ranchera music.
Tropical
Tropical indicates a "Latin beat" music format from the Caribbean.  The Tropical format includes the following styles: Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia and Reggaeton.
  • Salsa - Its Latin beat is synonymous with a Caribbean /Cha-Cha type sound.  Artists such as Tito Puente, Willie Colon and Celia Cruz made this musical style popular in Latin America and New York.  Salsa combines Latin Caribbean rhythms with jazz and is contemporary and very danceable.  Today it symbolizes music popular in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Colombia.

  • Merengue - A style of music that originates from the Spanish Caribbean.  The music is a Cha-Cha in nature, but has a slight variation in steps.  It is very danceable and appeals to a wide spectrum of the Latin Caribbean audience.

  • Cumbia - Cumbia is of Colombian origin and is popular in the Caribbean and South America.  Lately it is becoming popular in Mexico and Central America.  The music is Cuban-Caribbean making it heavy on the drum beat and very danceable.  Today it symbolizes music popular in Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Colombia.

  • Reggaeton - Reggaeton is a relatively new style of dance music that began in Puerto Rico and derived from a blend of Latin tropical sounds, Jamaica's reggae music and urban hip-hop.
Tejano
Originated in Texas (Tejas), this music is performed by Tex-Mex/Chicano groups (conjuntos).  It is a cross between contemporary Rock/Ranchera/Country.  The lyrics can be both Spanish and English.  This music appeals to a cross section.

Hip-Hop
The Hip-Hop music culture was spawned in urban America, from the disco, funk, reggae and rap movements of the 1970's and 1980's.  Hip-Hop is one of the most influential cultures on the American landscape today as it reaches out to all segments of society from its urban roots.

RadioCadena Univision-News/Talk/Sports AM Network
The News/Talk format informs listeners about a wide range of local, national and international issues. Univision Radio's News/Talk lineup includes Talk Shows, Sport/Talk and News-You-Can-Use.
  • Talk Shows - Feature trusted names in local and syndicated programming such as Dra. Isabel, Julie Stav, Armando Perez-Roura, Dra. Aliza Lifshitz, Oscar Haza and many others. RadioCadena Univision also features the only national Sunday morning news/public affairs program, Tu Voz en Washington, that airs LIVE from Univision's Washington News Bureau. Tu Voz en Washington is moderated by veteran journalist Lourdes Meluza.

  • News-You-Can-Use - Local news commentators as well as Univision Network's seasoned professionals deliver breaking news and information as well as inform listeners about finance, lifestyle, and family issues, career opportunities and community involvement.

  • Sport/Talk - Locura por el Futbol is the leading daily sports show, presenting up-to-date news, commentaries, interviews, and listener participation, which makes this a fast-paced exciting sports marathon.

Personalities
Univision Radio is home to the biggest radio stars in the country, including Piolin, the popular radio personality in Los Angeles, Javier Romero & Osvaldo Vega, kings of Miami morning radio, Raul Brindis, host of Houston's top-rated morning show, El Pistolero, Chicago's most popular morning icon, and many others.  Many of these stars are syndicated to other markets, making their talent available nationally to Hispanic listeners.

In addition, Univision Radio produces many of the largest community events geared towards U.S. Hispanics.

Sales Contact
Mitch Kline
248-393-0723

Location:
3102 Oak Lawn Avenue, Suite 215
Dallas, TX 75219
Telephone: (214) 525-7700
Fax: (214) 525-7750