L.A. radio station switches to Spanish

As of 12:01 today, 93.9 FM in Los Angeles has switched to a Spanish format. The announcement of the switch was made last week, but there was no information with regards to the new programming.

I spoke to the station’s new general manager, Barret Alley, who tells me the station will air Spanish pop and ballads. The first 2 weeks will be all music, with few commercials. Local DJs have been hired, but will hit the airwaves gradually. He did not want to release any names at this point, but assures me the on-air talent is “new,” so don’t expect any big or well-known names.

Mexico’s Grupo Radio Centro is taking over operations from Emmis Communications. However, the GM assures me all the programming will be done in the United States. GRC previously owned Cadena Radio Centro, a Spanish-language network serving 74 affiliates in the U.S. with 24-hour news and music programing. Heftel Broadcasting bought the network in 1995. KMVN GM Barret Alley is the former president of Cadena Radio Centro.