New Spanish Language Diversity Channels Will Help Fill Holes in Sirius XM Lineup
North America is a melting pot of many cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs. One of the wonderful attributes of satellite radio was that one company could service virtually any person with content dedicated to their heritage, religious beliefs, or political stance. While Sirius XM has had Latin based content for many years, the selection was far from perfect. For example, the current Latino based programming selection in music offers only two channels:
- Caliente – A red-hot mix of salsa, merengue and the biggest reggaeton hits with a sprinkle of Spanish pop and bachata.
- The Joint – Reggae music from its roots to today.
Lost in the translation are more classical Latin music, genres and styles. Where on Sirius XM can you chill out to some nice mariachi or jam and dance to some Shakira? Simply stated, there is no way two Latin based channels, one being Reggae, can service the vast spectrum of Latin music and the potential Latin audience. With the new diversity channels being announced we have learned that a new Latin music channel from Eventus will be debuting on Sirius XM. The question is whether that will be enough.
So why is my focus on the Latin American community more-so than say the Native American community? The answer is two fold. First I have a personal connection with the Latin American community. Second, it is the largest population base in this nation and is growing daily:
Hispanics and Latinos constitute 16.3% of the total United States population, or 50.5 million people. This makes for the second largest ethnic group, after non-Hispanic White Americans. In many states, such as California, Arizona and Texas, the Latin American population is just as big as the white population. These also happen to be states where satellite radio is widely popular.
Many with a Hispanic heritage speak English and enjoy contemporary music and bands, but like anyone, want to have that connection to their roots. With Sirius XM’s current Latin music line-up, they are trying to make one music channel satisfy multiple generations of people all with differing appreciations for Latin music. Simply stated, there is a substantial need for additional programming that can satisfy a diverse Latin audience. One size does not fit all!
Additional Latin based music channels also make business sense. Servicing an ever growing Latin American population will build loyalty, respect and appreciation from the Latin American community. In the media business demographics are key. Why not offer content that fully satisfies one of the largest and fastest growing demographics in the nation.
“First I have a personal connection with the Latin American community.”
What a joke. What, you know a Puerto Rican? Give ma a break.
sclem….
I see you are trolling again….Enjoy the evening
Dam that chic is hot !
What is with the change of tune all of a sudden with the barrage of positive articles on Sirius ? I like it, but just wondering…
my feelings about the equity are the same as they have been. The girl is Shakira….A Latin American pop star. Unfortunately she does not get a lot of airplay on Sirius XM….guess Karmazin’s wife wont allow it…lol
I love Shakira, but didn’t realize it was her.
sure would like some Italian music
What was a shame was XM had 5 spanish music channels and they got knocked down for other reasons, like adding new Canadian content, etc. Even Sirius management admitted to “messing up” on that decision.
This article is pure BS.
The programming on Sirius just plain sucks and adding a bunch of Latino channels won’t change that.
It’s just like cable TV forcing you to take Telemundo when you couldn’t care less about Mexican Soap Operas or the Mexican Jerry Springer
BaBa…
You are a closeted fan of satellite radio and love this site so much you make up fake names and email addresses to post negative comments.
Wonderful thing about this site is I let you express yourself. Perhaps that is the attention you need to get by each day. I am glad to do my part for charity.
If you don’t like latin programming you don’t have to listen….free lesson for the day…no I feel like I have done my good deed.
To be honest, Spanish language programing is one of the biggest growing areas in radio. The reason I commented is that SXM had less Spanish content than, say, cable’s Music Choice.
http://www.musicchoice.com/Mus.....nnels.aspx
I suspect Sirius killed a few of the Latin channels to make room for some of the merged content as well as to comply with a few other demands (a minimum amount of Canadian content is required for the US service to be broadcast in Canada or something like that).
JRT…..
my comment was to baba…
And I had meant to reply to BBB
There is NOTHING on Sirius-XM, outside of Howard Stern, that actually has an audience.
The idea that Oprah Winfrey, Martha Stewart, Mad Dog Russo bring in ANY listeners or subscribers is foolish.
If anyone believes that Latino programming on Sirius-XM will actually have an audience is smoking crack.
BaBa….
If you want to ignore the FACT that latin programming is the fastest growing segment in radio than feel free to do so.
When you can present some facts to back up your assertions you may gain a little bit of credibility. Until then you are are simply a cowardly poster using fake email addresses to post negative comments here….that is how you are currently defined.
Just took a look at the New Channel Guide and do not see the new Spanish offerings? What happened?