EL ZOL RISES
Company expands radio network with 2 new Latino stations in Orlando, Tampa
The Latino community in Central Florida keeps growing, and with that in mind Spanish Broadcasting System Inc. has expanded its radio network to launch “El Zol,” a Spanish tropical-format station in Orlando and Tampa.
The station is playing music in Spanish from different genres, including salsa, merengue, bachata, pop and reguetón. As part of the expansion, it also is streaming the No. 1 morning show in Puerto Rico, “El Despelote” with Puerto Rican personalities Rocky the Kid and La Burbu, as well as “El Molusco y los Reyes de la Punta” in the afternoons.
According to El Zol’s general manager, Fernando Bauermeister, the Florida stations will also have DJ Alex Sensation playing top music and that “both stations have local and live talent 24/7.”
Bauermeister said “the Latino community in Orlando and Tampa was asking for a radio station that would represent them in these two markets, with the music they love and the content of their favorite shows. We are happy to be able to please our audience and provide a new advertising option for businesses in Orlando and Tampa.”
Jorge Pabón, known as El Molusco, described the moment as “an important one” that allows the company to “brincar el charco” a Puerto Rican saying that roughly translates to “jumping the puddle” in reference to crossing the ocean that divides the island and the continental U.S.
Molusco, who travels often to Orlando both to visit his close family and carry out projects such as his stand-up comedy, said that “we are happy. It is an honor to be in Florida. Now we expand our show and can reach new markets.”
Angelique Burgos, known as “La Burbu,” a nickname in honor of her curly hair, said one of the biggest challenges is now targeting a general Latino audience. They’ve been recording directly from a radio station in Universal Studio,s where Burgos has also shared live videos explaining to her followers the changes.
“This is very emotional,” she said. “There are many people that know me from Puerto Rico, but many others are going to start learning about who we are and what we do. We are very honored with the opportunity.”
Rocky the Kid, who shares the radio with Burgos, said “we are here bringing everything. Our arrival in Central Florida has been a total success.”
SBS has a total of 16 stations in markets such as Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, Puerto Rico, Orlando and Tampa, making it the largest Spanish radio station owner in Florida.
The $12.5 million transaction marks the completion of the acquisition of the two FM radio stations serving the Orlando and Tampa Bay radio markets from Cox Radio LLC.
The stations are expected to build on SBS’ existing leadership in one of the nation’s largest Hispanic markets and intend to “expand the audio footprint while forging closer connections with the Hispanic community.”
SBS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Raúl Alarcon said the company looks “forward to super-serving our audiences and advertisers in the Sunshine State and across the nation with the best radio, digital audio and live events content, including the most popular and iconic on-air talent, geared specifically for today’s influential Hispanic consumer.”
SBS also operates AIRE Radio Networks, a national radio platform of more than 290 affiliated stations reaching 95% of the U.S. Hispanic audience. It also owns MegaTV, a network television operation with over-the-air, cable and satellite distribution and affiliates throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
MegaTV recently launched in Orlando an afternoon newscast called “MegaNews,” where Latino and Hispanic stories are covered in an “intelligent way.”
The company also produces live concerts and events nationwide and owns a stable of digital properties, including La Musica, a mobile app providing Latino-focused audio and video streaming content and HitzMaker, a new-talent destination for aspiring artists.
You can follow the stations on social media on Instagram, Elzol95 y Elzol97 and on Facebook, https://www.facebook. com/ElZol95 and https://www.facebook. com/ElZol97.