Estrella Media Inc. had the highest year-over-year growth of any Spanish-language radio station in several demographic groups, the company announced this week.
The Burbank-based broadcaster said that its influential regional Mexican music radio station KBUE 105.5/94.3 FM (Que Buena Los Angeles) had the most year-over-year growth with Los Angeles-area Hispanic adults 18 to 49 in prime time, AM drive, midday, PM drive and total week periods, according to Nielsen Audio figures.
Additionally, the station’s “Don Cheto Al Aire” morning show was the top Spanish language morning show in Los Angeles with Hispanic adults 18 to 49 and 25 to 54 in January and February, and in January was the third-ranked total market radio show with adults 18 to 49 and 25 to 54 in the morning drive slot among all stations, regardless of language, according to Estrella Media.
The Don Cheto show also helped the station earn in February the second-ranked position among Spanish-language stations in prime time (Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.) with Hispanic adults 18 to 49 and 25 to 54.
Steve Mandala, Estrella’s chief revenue officer, said that the numbers were a great way to start the year.
“Since the rebrand of Que Buena in 2022, our fans continue to lean into the music, on-air talent, and community we drive,” Mandala said. “Que Buena is the heart and soul of Los Angeles, and this book just validates that KBUE is the voice for the generations that fuel the city.”
The “Don Cheto Al Aire” morning show, which is hosted by Don Cheto, Chino, Giselle Bravo and Said Garcia, has driven area morning radio ratings for 11 consecutive surveys.
“The fans have spoken and listened. Don Cheto Al Aire is the number one choice of music fans in L.A. KBUE is the station for L.A., and Don Cheto represents the people and the music of the city,” Mandala said.Â
In addition to the new Nielsen numbers, Estrella Media announced the sale of radio station KWIZ (La Ranchera 96.7) in Santa Ana to the Universal Church.
The church took over ownership of the station on Jan. 1 and switched the format from regional Mexican oldies music to Spanish Christian programming, broadcasting as Vision Latina 96.7.
“Estrella Media retains ownership of the La Ranchera name for its radio stations and will continue its La Ranchera streaming audio channels,” the company said in a statement. “We thank the team at KWIZ for their work on the station.”