Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Launches iHeartRadio Hispanic Network With Exclusive Content From Grupo Radio Centro and Grupo Radio Mexico
Ground-breaking Digital Network to Feature Grupo Radio Centro, Grupo Radio Mexico Stations and El Show Del Mandril to Provide Greater Access to Hispanic Programming Across the U.S.
NEW YORK and MEXICO CITY – May 8, 2014 –Clear Channel Media and Entertainment (CCM+E),the leading media company in America with a greater reach in the U.S. than any radio or television outlet, today announced the launch of the iHeartRadio Hispanic Network. Serving Hispanics across the U.S., the iHeartRadio Hispanic Network will include a unique collection of assets providing advertising partners large-scale reach to nearly 90 percent of the U.S. Spanish and English-speaking Hispanic population.
Grupo Radio Centro (GRC), the leading radio broadcasting company in Mexico withan unmatched coverage of the largest Mexican markets, will serve as the foundationpartner and representative in Mexico of the network, providing live broadcasts from some of Mexico’s top-rated radio stations. The company’s Mexico City cluster includes 12 radio stations, 6FM/6AM with a 57% audience share and 80% audience. Grupo Radio Centro is the only radio company with unmatched coverage in the four largest Mexican-populated markets in the world consisting of Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey and Los Angeles, the largest Mexican-populated-market in the USA and number-one market in radio revenue in the USA.
The agreement will provide exclusive digital distribution for all GRC stations, including regional Mexican station KXOS in Los Angeles and the most-listened-to Spanish language program in America,“El Show Del Mandril,” for whichthe two companies recently inked a U.S. national sales and distribution deal via Clear Channel’s syndication company Premiere Networks. In addition, GRC’s parent company(GRM), which owns and operates 51 radio stations across multiple formats in 13 Mexican markets--including the leading station cluster in Monterrey and Guadalajara--will also be available on iHeartRadio wherever it is offered, including the web, mobile, gaming, home entertainment and automotive.
In addition, beginning later this year, iHeartRadio will become the exclusive digital ad sales provider for these market-leading Mexican stations. In an industry first, Clear Channel will replace all local Mexican station ads with consumer-targeted U.S. ads.This also marks the first time iHeartRadio will provide U.S. listeners with radio broadcasts from leading stations throughout the Mexican Republic.
"This is the second step in thegroundbreaking partnership between our two companies,” said Francisco Aguirre, Chairman/CEO, GRC. “Bob Pittman and I share a vision to expand both companies beyond their respective borders in a very fast paced and evolving digital landscape. Our Mexico stations are market leaders across all demographics and we look forward to their natural expansion in the U.S. through the iHeartRadio Hispanic Network.”
“There is a population of more than 50 million Hispanics in the U.S. – with 65 percent being of Mexican descent,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman/CEO, Clear Channel. “This unique partnership represents a key milestone in Mexico/U.S. broadcasting, allowing Clear Channel for the first time to offer this key demographic exclusive access to the most popular Mexican stations from anywhere across the U.S. with the iHeartRadio Hispanic Network, in addition to providing our partners with unprecedented access to the Hispanic community.”
The iHeartRadio app, which reached its first 20 million registered users faster than any digital service in Internet history, delivers everything listeners want in an all-in-one platform: instant access to thousands of radio stations, user-created Custom Stations inspired by a favorite artist or song, thousands of curated digital stations “Perfect For” any mood or activity, and the new Shows & Personalities feature giving users access to the best on-demand news, talk and entertainment content available today. To see all available platforms and to download the app, visitiHeartRadio.com/apps.