KMEX-34 today celebrates its 50 year anniversary. The first broadcast of the Los Angeles-based Univision flagship station was on September 29, 1962.
In its 50 year history, it has become a powerful, highly respected media outlet and the number 1 station in the country, regardless of language.
In September, KMEX-34 had an average of 447,000 viewers in prime time, coming in first place over KNBC-4, which only drew about 270,000 viewers. Its 11 p.m. newscast also attracts the largest TV audience in L.A., where Latinos constitute 48% of the population in the county, according to census data.
In order to celebrate its rich history, Univision threw a big party on Thursday night at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood. L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa honored KMEX with a proclamation for its 50 years of serving the Los Angeles community.
Among those present at the event was anchor María Elena Salinas, one of the first female television reporters at KMEX, where she launched her career with Univision. Many other Univision personalities, including “Primer Impacto” anchor Bárbara Bermudo “Gordo y la Flaca” co-host Raúl de Molina attended the celebration.
During the event, Univision also honored Emilio Nicolás Sr., one of the founding pioneers of Univision’s first station in San Antonio, with the Univision Corazon Award.
Mexican singer and Latin GRAMMY winner Pepe Aguilar and Mariachi Sol de Mexico de José Hernandez performed during the evening gala.