Austin Music Source

By larry

October 30, 2009 6:06 PM | Link to this

No habla inglesh.

By sara

October 30, 2009 6:11 PM | Link to this

at last, finally someone thats not making a profit from the spanish speaking community!!!!!!!!they took my keye tv station away becuse they could make a profit from the spanish speaking people out there, well guess what go english!!!now we are the ones laughing.the english speakers are the minority now, we should be the ones getting all attention.

By Joe

October 30, 2009 6:25 PM | Link to this

“The change is a blow to the Hispanic community of Central Texas, said Federico Subveri, a journalism profesor (sic) at Texas State University in San Marcos.”

Obviously not, if so few people are listening to these stations then it isn’t much of a blow to anything other than perhaps the bottom line of a corporation.

By Scot

October 30, 2009 6:32 PM | Link to this

“We were not sufficiently profitable There ya go folks, you have to cover your cost to run a radio station, a news paper or any operation where the government or some other sugar daddy ( Sugar mommy?) is making up the short flow in your cash flow

By Broadway

October 30, 2009 6:35 PM | Link to this

The reamining options for Spanish in Austin remain as follows: Encino: 1440, 1560/95.1 & 1600/102.7 Univision: 104.3 & 107.7 Simmons: 1260 (ESPN Deportes) Clear Channel: 105.9 (HD radio required)

By DKF(

October 30, 2009 6:50 PM | Link to this

I guess their listeners will have to learn English?

By Arthur

October 30, 2009 6:50 PM | Link to this

YAAAYYYY!!!!!!! Finally, we’re getting some of our stations back! Too bad it took a profit margin to convince the corporate execs instead of good old common sense.

By Michael in Phoenix

October 30, 2009 6:52 PM | Link to this

Two formats the Austin market sorely needs ASAP:

1. Pacifica

2. Air America

By Razor

October 30, 2009 6:57 PM | Link to this

Sad News for the Spanish community of Central Texas

By lsm

October 30, 2009 7:26 PM | Link to this

Good deal… Time to learn english, or go home… My ancestors did. Or, are hispanics “better” than the rest of us ?

By mark

October 30, 2009 8:51 PM | Link to this

I used to work in radio and I did notice a glut of Spanish stations when I moved here and wondered if the market for it really did exist. I guess not. Maybe we’ll see more variety than the Christian stations (5 of them!) that litter the Austin airways and lower IQs. Another rock station would be nice since we only have one (KLBJ). And no, BOB FM does not count.

By mark2

October 30, 2009 9:13 PM | Link to this

@Mark You are so right - KLBJ really raises the IQ of their listeners. Talk about the lowest common denominator. Anything positive or encouraging on that station. I didn’t think so.

By red

October 30, 2009 9:17 PM | Link to this

Larry, Arthur, Ism, Joe

stop being so racists! not all hispanics only speak spanish or are from across the border. educate yourselves before you make youselves look even more stupid. try opening yourselves up to some culture…

By Victoria

October 30, 2009 9:21 PM | Link to this

I’ll be sad to see these go, especially 104.9. I do agree that Austin needs a larger variety of stations.There’s way more country stations than necessary.

By Calvin

October 30, 2009 9:25 PM | Link to this

Ism, I think it’s time for you to learn some manners. Sorry about your ancestors, I guess there was more closed minded people like you back in their time.

By Jesus Ledesma

October 30, 2009 9:29 PM | Link to this

Wow! I am amazed at how many bigots hide behind the computer screen. I thought Austin was more accepting than this. I guess I was wrong.

By Angie S.

October 30, 2009 9:30 PM | Link to this

Now, if they’d only get rid of some of those horrid Spanish stations that show all that ‘family oriented’ T&A.. yeah. Quality viewing.

By Jesus

October 30, 2009 9:31 PM | Link to this

As a Hispanic living in Austin we all need to learn english or go home.

By Jimmy

October 30, 2009 9:39 PM | Link to this

I love Latin Pop. I guess I will have to listen to the stations in Houston and San Antonio, over the internet. This bites!

By Steve

October 30, 2009 9:53 PM | Link to this

Sara.. perhaps listening to english radio and watching english tv will improve your own english skills.

In Texas, about 20% of the population is hispanic. Another 20% is black, and about 50% is white. The other 10% is asia/misc.

None of the non-hispanics speak spanish as a first language.. and most? of the 20% remaining hispanic population speak english… the 10% that don’t are probably here illegally and don’t have disposable income.

America is a melting pot.. once people like you learn to assimilate into our culture, we’ll all be better off.

By dude_abides

October 30, 2009 10:01 PM | Link to this

104.9 played some great music but the appeal was ultimately limited. Radio may be one of the few true places left where the free market reigns - you either have listeners or you don’t.

Would be great to get a classic rock station back on the airwaves here, though.

By Bill

October 30, 2009 10:10 PM | Link to this

Christian stations are more likely to raise than lower IQs. That’s the province of sex, drugs and rock and roll stations.

By cd

October 30, 2009 10:22 PM | Link to this

some of you posters are pretty narrow minded. there is nothing wrong with having variety. “learn to speak english” that’s the best you can come up with. real class there. spanish music is a genre, just like country, hip hop, etc. you don’t have to speak it to enjoy it. i liked 104.9…it had some good music on there.

By deed

October 30, 2009 10:23 PM | Link to this

Graet! now, learn english!! “The change is a blow to the Hispanic community of Central Texas, said Federico Subveri, a journalism profesor at Texas State University in San Marcos.” wow, i guess liberals are not only from UT and the austion area. Now, make english the official language!

By Nancy

October 30, 2009 10:41 PM | Link to this

People could be really ignorant when thinking that these radio stations were only for Spanish-speakers who don’t understand English. But I guess there is enough space in this planet for all of us: the ones who are bilingual and those who are not ;-)

Too bad there is not enough market to keep at least one of these radio stations running. They had a good variety of music!

By Larry

October 30, 2009 11:09 PM | Link to this

This shouldn’t be much of a problem. American hispanics know English and converse in it everyday. They like much of the same music as anglos/blacks/asians. The only people I know that are limited in their language to spanish would be illegals and they aren’t going to buy much….so no advertisers.

By Ameri"can't"

October 31, 2009 12:25 AM | Link to this

Wow the racist comments by some of you on this subject are incredible and very sad! These absurd comments reflect your low IQ! This isn’t about race or language people, this is about money!

By Go Gringos!

October 31, 2009 12:37 AM | Link to this

I guess they blew all their money on bumper stickers, eh? Now if TWC will give us our TV channels back, life will be good again…

By Bruce

October 31, 2009 1:35 AM | Link to this

Viva la soft rock!

By La Reyna

October 31, 2009 4:42 AM | Link to this

“Now we only have Tejano and regional Mexican music formats, and we lose a younger demographic group that is assimilated or acculturated,” said Zertuche, who is a coordinator of the SXSW musical festival.”

If this is the case, the younger demographic is simply following in the footsteps and intent of Mexican-Americans who immigrated here generations ago.

Anyone who bothers to read up on Mexican American history will learn that our ancestors came here to be Americans and to grow and prosper as Americans. They embraced education and WANTED to learn English and to assimilate to the American way of life so that they could get good jobs and prosper.

Today’s Mexican immigrant however, comes here to leech from the American way of life and maintain the “old country” mentality.

By Loader Man

October 31, 2009 7:24 AM | Link to this

Well…..It’s a start in the right direction!

By Big Papa

October 31, 2009 7:58 AM | Link to this

Companies have to make a profit! Support local broadcast or many more changes that may upset you will be on the way.

By James

October 31, 2009 7:59 AM | Link to this

Odd how this announcement comes on the heels of 590am launching and FM freq… Reactionary much?

By NewsFlash

October 31, 2009 8:32 AM | Link to this

Want Tejano music, just try listening to a football game on AM until the sun goes down, all you can pick up is spanish language programming as the game goes into the 4th quarter. Whether it is skip from the atmosphere or local pirate stations beginning their broadcast it is infuriating.

By Lee Lopez

October 31, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this

I listen to country music and TexMex music like Reuben Ramos.

Thank You.

By Oren

October 31, 2009 9:20 AM | Link to this

So, spanish doesn’t pay? Who would have thought? Money talks and spanish doesn’t. Go for it. Spanish is divisive and not helpful. But that’s obvious but not PC is it?

By lulo

October 31, 2009 9:25 AM | Link to this

SO not surprising. I am in a Spanish rock band here in Austin, and the interest from the Hispanic community is dismal. They don’t support the local Spanish language music scene, and that especially includes the so-called scene organizers such as Zertuche who is named in this article. What a joke.

Hispanics can’t complain that “the man” is taking away their music format, if they aren’t interested in it enough to support it themselves. But I will miss it dearly.

By CJ

October 31, 2009 9:26 AM | Link to this

the article’s last comment says it all, “we lose a …group that is assimilated or acculturated”.
How do you lose a group by assimilation to the country where you live??? if you’re interested in Mexican culture, live in Mexico. if you’re interested in American culture, move to America.
America’s strength comes from our long history of blending. if Mexican ways are so great - why aren’t you living there?? oh yeah…poverty, corruption, poor education…hmm…are you sure you want that here?? oh wait, I think the plan is to milk the Americans (who are somehow “different” so it’s ok - right?) for the financial resources so that you can perpetuate the great Mexican dream…

By MassiveTraumaByObama

October 31, 2009 9:28 AM | Link to this

looks like they were as successful with the Spanish format as all liberal formats have been.

By mex-o-rama

October 31, 2009 9:43 AM | Link to this

Why is this considered a “blow” to the Spanish community? If the Spanish community wanted it, it would have had the market. Obviously…not.

By lighthouseboy

October 31, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this

one word: ipod.

By Commentary

October 31, 2009 10:39 AM | Link to this

If people aren’t listening to the station, then so be it. Many good stations, my opinion, have left radio markets for this reason..and not just in Austin. Radio is having a hard time these days, period.

However, the language comments people make are just sad. You know, we’re right next to Mexico people…literally next to another country. It makes sense that people and languages would cross over…just pure logic. Maybe we could gain something from learning more than one language and culture???????

Global economy is a real thing and the USA isn’t the only power country out there. If you believe we are, wake up! If you think more than one language will destroy us, look at Europe… all kinds of languages & cultures & music and it’s working out just fine for them. It’s made them STRONG! People get along and are able to communicate just fine.

It’s time to accept changes in the world and stop trying to fight… learn, adapt!

By A Merikan

October 31, 2009 2:29 PM | Link to this

How do you assimillate into USA culture? Learn to hate your neighbor, speak more loudly and tell people to love it or leave it. Great. I just hope in twenty years the hispanics will control the USA. Keep having large families and don’t worry about paying for them up front. The christians will take care of you, it’s their will.

By Hank

October 31, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this

could care less about the english vs spanish nonsense….

it’ll be nice to listen to sports talk at night instead of losing the signal once the sun goes down

By eArnie

October 31, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this

It’s really too bad. I like the music that 92.5 had to offer. 107.7 used to play International pop as well, but they just switched to puro Tejano a couple of weeks ago. There’s an entire world of music, Columbia, Guatemala, Turkey, Spain, Brazil… so much that we could be hearing and now we really don’t have a way to keep in touch with the International music scene.

By Cotton

October 31, 2009 6:07 PM | Link to this

I can always change the channel just like I did when one of my stations went to spanish and then the other one played howard stern. Ok , let me learn spanish because howard is sort of yucky. ….finger down thoat, last tekilla hangover…but I have the power to enjoy any music I like. Change your format, I change my channel. Not racist..just like that ….chappirito de oro…cute song. Keep love alive and enjoy your neighbors. stop hating…austin is not the place that this headline will fit. SO! I still love all my neighbors. They have so much to tell me and show me. go get a Notorius BIG CD and come to Givens park. Lets Dance. Lets Dance. Bailar!

By La Guera

October 31, 2009 11:14 PM | Link to this

Ok. First of all I hope that all people who are reading these posts don’t think that these racists speak for all non-hispanics. I happen to be white and I speak spanich fluently. My husband is from MX and is very well educated. Having radios stations doesn’t mean we are catering to what is no longer the minority. We live in America people. That means people of all nationalities live here. Why does it have to be a “taking back OUR radio” thing. Thats pretty ignorant.

By Ab

November 1, 2009 11:03 PM | Link to this

It’s a shame to see this reaction coming from the Austin community. I worked at BMP for nearly a year and cannot express how passionate the staff was for what they did. Their love of Mexican culture, music and preserving what they could of that culture was both incredible and inspiring. Too bad advertisers still do not know how to tap into this growing market to generate revenue.

Instead of feeling for those who have really lost something like…their jobs (hello?), you all are ***** about details like language barriers and differing cultures?? Are we Americans really as selfish and narrow minded as the rest of the world perceives us to be? I at least expected more from Austinintes.

Learn another language, people. It might do YOU and the community some good.

By chicachula

November 2, 2009 12:00 PM | Link to this

Seriously… Zertuche an expert? Get a grip, why not interview someone that actually works in radio? What a concept.

CJ - C’mon… do you honestly believe that poverty, poor education, corruption, etc does not exist here? Just sayin’…..

Now,let’s try and stick to the discussion of the radio flips and the changing dynamics of Radio in Austin.

By lino g martinez sr

November 2, 2009 12:40 PM | Link to this

La Reyna is completely ignorant and stupidly wrong. Maybe her ancestors came here to learn English. My ancestors have always been here since before there was a United States and their first language has always been Spanish and it still is. We speak English, but as a second language.We are not like the other Europeans who were ashamed of their language and now speak a borrowed language ( English ) and don’t have a choice because they abandoned their native language which was German,French ,Italian ,Finnish Dutch,etc.,etc.Please remember that English is not the official of the United States, which does not have an official language. Please have a very pleasant day.

By Latina

November 2, 2009 11:04 PM | Link to this

for all those ignorant people suggesting that learning English is the way to go… many people that listen to these stations (or used to) DO speak English…educate yourself before talking! So tired of ignorance!

By Mondiale

November 3, 2009 1:31 AM | Link to this

Nice to know Austin is full of small-town racist bigots. Not as “blue” a place as they’d like to believe. I just moved here from a real city and found the granola-unwashed hair-hippie-artsy-veganness a bit too contrived. And I was right.

Austinites should focus less on keeping Austin weird and more on making Austin truly diverse. Jetting outta this village as soon as I’m done with school.

By Suz

November 9, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this

What some of you fail to realize is that KHHL was one of the top stations in Austin. It was always ranked either 3 or 4 over all markets. And at one time it was #1 Austin. The problem was as the recession hit the small budgets they had for hispanic media became even smaller and most national accounts went to the huge sometimes even a bit monopoly like company like Univision Radio.

By Bilingual

November 13, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this

Bring back my pop en español! Spanish language radio is not just for those that only speak Spanish you racist idiots.

By Fast Eddie Muller

December 25, 2009 8:07 AM | Link to this

Fast Eddie Muller here, I was a DJ for Digital 104.9 for two years while Tom Castro was the GM. I did the morning shift at first and then went on to do the Late-Night Shift., not to mention the “Top 5 at 8”

I think the reason BMP Spanish Stations went under were not ratings or operations relatd. It’s a cultural thing.

BMP’s demise was due to the mediocrity of the people working there. I saw it first hand. By the way, I was born in Mexico and hold dual citizenship. Mexicans are envious people. We do not know how to make a team effort. We are individualists and and do not know the meaning of Teamwork.

While I worked at Digital 104.9 FM (2004 - 2006) I had a very hard time making friends. I tried to make friends but always hit a brick wall. Since I am a Mexican white guy, it was very difficuly for my coworkers to take me in as one of their own. I actually had a pretty bad time. And this is one of the main reasons BMP Radio went under. I experienced a lack of companionship on behalf of my coworkers. I was glad to leave when Romeo Herrera fired me.

This is just my humble opinion as someone who was born in Mexico and grew up in the States.

I felt more companionship with my American coworkers than with my Hispanic ones. It’s sad but true.

An old friend of mine once said “Mexicans are like crabs in a bucket…. As soon as one is about to make its way out of the bucket, another crab at the bottom will grab its leg and pull it down” Very true.

The reason BMP failed is because it’s a cultural thing. Hispanics have certain complexes that do not allow us to grow…

To all the people at Digital that were uncool to me: “You had it coming”

To all the people at Digital that were nice to me: “Rock on!”

Fast Eddie Muller December 25, 2009