Radio Bilingüe is a network of five public radio stations in California with an established tradition of producing and distributing Latino news and information programming for both commercial radio and the national public radio system.
The network's flagship station, KSJV in Fresno, California was founded in 1976 by a group of farm workers, artists and professionals with the mission of providing access to the airwaves for the Mexican-American community. This access translated into folk and diverse Latino musical styles, open discussions of Latino public affairs and basic information services for immigrants and field workers. The station went on the air on July 4, 1980 and soon after started providing bilingual news and information services to stations nationwide.
Radio Bilingüe made programming exchanges and co-production agreements with Radio Educación and other Mexican broadcasters, a partnership that has provided many U.S. stations access to a unique view of Mexico.
During this decade, operations have expanded and now four more stations broadcast under Radio Bilingüe's umbrella: KMPO in Modesto, KUBO in El Centro/Calexico, KTQX in Bakersfield, and KHDC in Salinas.
In addition, Radio Bilingüe has reached out to other underserved audiences. In the past eight years, Radio Bilingüe's programming has also offered African-American and Southeast Asian music and public services.
The network is currently preparing for the challenges of the year 2000, when Latinos will number 30 million, constituting the second largest population group in the nation. With the help of state-of-the-art computer systems and digital technology, Radio Bilingüe strives to provide high-quality programming and timely information to the growing Spanish-speaking audiences in North America.