Línea ABIERTA EXPANDS TALK SHOW SERVICE
TO
NEW AUDIENCES IN TEXAS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2005
Contact: Patricia Hernandez, patriciah@radiobilingue.org
559-455-5782

Fresno, CA (April 10, 2005) Radio Bilingüe begins a new chapter of radio service in Texas as it launches Línea Abierta – Texas Edition, the first and only Spanish-language national talk show in public radio. The expansion of the radio service into Texas serves as a way to meet the needs of  Spanish-speaking audiences in Texas who currently have no access to Spanish language public radio broadcasts. Translated as Open Line, Línea Abierta was designed as an accessible forum where listeners could find needed information or exchange views on relevant issues. In its nearly ten years on the air, Línea Abierta continues to be the first and only live news-oriented radio show that has continuously served Spanish-speaking radio audiences across the U.S., Puerto Rico and Mexico. 

Under the auspices of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,  Radio Bilingüe, producer of the series, celebrates the occasion as it completes agreements with IMER, Instituto Mexicano de la Radio, the Mexican radio public broadcasting system, to provide distribution of  Radio Bilingüe programming in the state of Texas.  This partnership with IMER will allow Radio Bilingüe to expand its coverage into the larger Texas urban markets and tap into a new frontier of Spanish-speaking audiences in Texas, where over 6 million Latinos reside and where over 4.8 million Texans indicate a preference to speak Spanish at home.  IMER will broadcast Línea Abierta – Texas Edition  on its new AM station, XERF,  located on the Texas-Mexico border.

Radio Bilingüe is uniquely positioned to serve the Spanish-speaking audiences in Texas with its established service. Over the decades, thousands of Texas-Mexican migrants have settled into rural communities throughout the Southwest, including California and Washington and they are among the most loyal audiences of Radio Bilingüe and Línea Abierta.  Through this expansion in reach, Radio Bilingüe hopes to build an on-air bridge to connect Texas-Mexicans with their regional roots and issues while simultaneously  allowing listeners and news sources in Texas a new way to interact with Texas-Mexicans living and residing elsewhere.

Línea Abierta aired its first program in 1995 before a live audience in Albuquerque, where fellow colleagues of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters held a conference. The first program focused on the then-heated debate to overhaul the U.S. welfare system. Addressing this and other pressing news impacting the lives of Latinos has become the trademark of Línea Abierta.

On the public airwaves, listeners often express anguish and concern over their health and immigration status, as well as hope or determination over ballot propositions and public education. Listeners who call in are often professionals and citizens who are engaged in the civic life of their community. Many are also farm workers and migrants who call in from the shadows to use Línea Abierta's toll-free line to dialogue with elected officials and opinion leaders while at the same time learning about the institutions and political system in their adopted country.

Línea Abierta airs on 48 stations in the U.S., Puerto Rico and México. In its nearly 4,500 hours on the air, Línea Abierta has involved thousands of listeners who participate from around the U.S., Puerto Rico and Mexico. The talk show service is a production of Radio Bilingüe, the national Latino public radio network with headquarters in Fresno and San Francisco, CA.

Radio Bilingüe is a network of five full-power FM radio stations reaching California’s main agricultural valleys.  Radio Bilingüe has been designated as the National Latino Public Radio service of the United States. Through its satellite service, Satélite Radio Bilingüe, the non-profit organization distributes news, information and musical programming to radio affiliates throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and Mexico.  For more information on Radio Bilingüe, visit the web site at www.radiobilingue.org.

Lista de Comunicados

Radio Bilingüe Announces the Launch of its Website on Línea Abierta’s Texas Edition.
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Celebre el Mes Nacional de la Herencia Latina con Música de Puro Conjunto
- 8 de Agosto del 2006

 

Celebrate National Latino Heritage Month – with puro Conjunto music.
- August 01, 2006

 

Radio Bilingüe Llega a Nuevas Audiencias en el Oeste de Texas
- 15 de febrero del 2006

 

Radio Bilingue Reaches New Audiences in West Texas
- February 14, 2006

 

Radio Bilingüe Llega a Nuevas Audiencias en Regiones de Rápido Aumento de la Población Latin
- 9 de febrero del 2006

 

Radio Bilingüe Reaches New Audiences in Fast-Growing Latino Areas
February 6, 2006

 

Línea Abierta transmite en vivo desde el Rio Bravo acerce de este rio en peligro de extincióny otros temas- Enero 24 y 25
19 de enero del 2006

 

Línea Abierta to broadcast live from the Rio Grande region on this most endangered river and more – January 24 and 25
January 18, 2006

 

Línea Abierta Goes to Texas to Broadcast Live from El Paso on Current Border Tensions
November 17, 2005

 

Línea Abierta kicks off Texas series with live broadcast during Conjunto Festival in San Antonio
April 25, 2005

 

Línea Abierta expands talk show service to new audiences in Texas
April 10, 2005