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At this week’s “Billboard Latin Music Week” in Miami, Spanish Broadcasting System Chairman/CEO Raúl Alarcón discussed the current state of radio, radio’s impact on artists, and the launch of a new network.
In a panel moderated by Leila Cobo, Alarcón said of the business, “Radio is in a good position and adaptable — it’s what makes it ubiquitous. It’s been around 100 years, and that’s not a coincidence. It will always be with us; it’s ubiquitous, it’s free, and you don’t need an external way to receive it. Radio is in a good position.”
Alarcón revealed plans for SBC to launch a new network and digital brand. “We’re launching a network over the air and digital for that new fusion of Regional Mexican with Urban because we’ve seen that the music is appealing. And “La Privada” is not just a station; it’s a whole network. We’re still in preparations, but in the next 90 days, we’ll launch in Chicago, New York, and other major cities.”
Regarding the relationship between artists and radio, Alarcón says, “Artists have told us, ‘You make the hits, you sell tickets, run promotions.’ People are now realizing that radio was discarded like it’s been discarded before when TV came; now, I have noticed that there’s a resurgence. Radio is important; radio is everything: it’s the connection with the local public, it adapts to trends, and it’s entertainment. It’s not just a repeater; few people can create, and creativity is adaptation.”
The 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week will conclude with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards, scheduled for 9 pm (ET) on Sunday, Oct. 20, on Telemundo. The event will also be accessible on Universal, Peacock, and the Telemundo app, as well as in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.
