The future of radio may be difficult to predict, but one thing is clear. Radio is in a good position and is adaptable. That’s what makes radio ubiquitous, says Raul Alarcón, chairman and CEO of the Spanish Broadcasting System. In a Q&A titled “The Future of Radio” hosted by Billboard’s Leila Cobo, which kicked off the first day of the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week on October 14, Alarcón discussed the current state of radio in the United States. spoke frankly about the impact radio has on society. Careers of today’s artists.
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“It’s been about 100 years. That’s no coincidence,” the executive says flatly. “It’s always with us, it’s everywhere, it’s free, and we don’t need any outside methods to receive it. Radio is well-positioned.”
SBS is a family-owned company that has been around for more than 40 years and has withstood the power of the streaming era, with radio stations including Mega 97.9 (New York), 97.9 La Raza (Los Angeles) and La Ley 107.9 (Chicago). ), to name a few. “We have to keep adapting, revising and refining, and radio allows us to do that more than any other medium. Radio is also very local, and that’s important.”
Below are some of the best quotes from the Future of Radio Q&A with Raul Alarcón.
Are there any threats to wireless?
“You have to be constantly evolving because it’s what it was, what it is, and what it will be. We put comedy first thing in the morning. I remember when the morning show started, it was an innovation. We took a risk, but that’s the nature of it, we always evolve and adapt again after a while.
catch the trends
“Radio stations are very local, so we can recognize trends. Like Corridos Tumbados and Belicos, we can catch those trends as they go, we see the signs of trends, and radio is very local. We were able to adapt quickly because people tell us whether they like it or not. That’s one of our strengths: we adapt to what our listeners want. I will.”
Artists still want number one on radio
“Artists tell us, ‘You make hits, you sell tickets, you promote.’ People are now starting to realize that radio is a throwaway…this I realized that the medium is now coming back, just as it was abandoned when television came along, and radio is important, and that’s what it’s all about, connecting with the local people. , adapting to trends, and entertainment. It’s not just repeaters, very few people can create, and creativity is adapting.”
Does radio inform streaming or vice versa?
“The two are not mutually exclusive. What we are implementing is just another adaptation. Both are different but can be leveraged together. But as digital expands, But you don’t get a local fan base right away.
new network
“We are launching a wireless and digital network for a new fusion of rural and urban Mexico, because we have found that music is attractive, and La Privada It’s not just a station, it’s an entire network. We’re still in the works, but we plan to launch in Chicago, New York, and other major cities within the next 90 days.”
The 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week will coincide with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards, scheduled to air on Sunday, October 20th at 9pm ET on Telemundo. The service will be available simultaneously on the Universo, Peacock and Telemundo apps, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.
