Immigration Show On Hispanic Communications Network
Shows Sharp Increase in Audience Share
Growing Interest in Show Reflects National Focus on Immigration Reform
Washington, D.C. – The Hispanic Communications Network (HCN) announced today an increase in audience share for its weekly Spanish-language radio show, “Bienvenidos a América,” which helps Hispanic immigrants successfully navigate the seas of immigration and naturalization.
As the nation debates the pros and cons of immigration reform, it has launched renewed interest in the show, which features television anchor Mario Sol and famed immigration attorney José Pertierra discussing the pending immigration bills on Capitol Hill and the nuances of immigration law. As part of the one hour weekly show, Pertierra takes calls from audience members on questions related to immigration.
The show was first launched in November of 1997 by the then Hispanic Radio Network and aired on less than ten stations. As of April, 2006, the show was airing on 74 separate stations. Some of the latest affiliates signing on for the show include stations from North Carolina, Idaho, Oregon, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa, and Wisconsin, reflecting the spread of immigrants to all areas of the United States.
The show has featured interviews with the nation’s leaders, including former President Bill Clinton; Senator Bob Menendez; Representatives Loretta Sanchez, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Mario Diaz-Ballart, and community leader Dolores Huerta, among others. A recent program had Representative Luis Gutierrez; Governor Bill Richardson; Resident Commissioner Luis Fortuño; Hessy Fernandez with the RNC; and Immigration Forum specialist Vanessa Cardenas in a discussion of the latest on the bipartisan Senate compromise on immigration reform. The program is broadcast live from the HCN studios on Thursdays at 2PM.
Carlos Alcazar, President of HCN, commented: “Immigration reform is an issue that not only impacts the 12 million undocumented workers currently residing in the U.S., but also those who are here legally, their families, and people who employ and provide aid to immigrants. We are pleased to offer a show that helps explore the realities facing these communities, particularly at a time when the issue is undergoing significant change.”
In addition to assisting immigrants in understanding the issues and legislation currently being debated in Congress, the show helps link the Latino community, fueling grassroots movements that have led to millions of Hispanics rallying in cities nationwide in the past weeks and month. This new grassroots Latino movement has made headlines nationwide, and has political party leaders debating the impact of the Latino vote on upcoming elections.
About the Hispanic Communications Network (www.hcnmedia.com)
The Hispanic Communications Network (HCN) is the largest educational and informational media company targeting U.S. Hispanics. Utilizing an existing radio network, in 2005, HCN expanded into television, publishing and the web. The company has over 200 radio affiliates across the U.S.. HCN's newspaper columns are distributed to 97 Spanish-language newspapers with a weekly circulation of more than 3.5 million. HCN also produces customized, fully-integrated media campaigns for major government agencies, private foundations, corporate clients, public relations and advertising agencies. HCN’s educational campaigns strategically combine media and community outreach to inform and spur audiences to action in collaboration with its partner non-profit, the Self-Reliance Foundation.
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Media Notes: To interview a representative of the Hispanic Communications Network or the show, “Bienvenidos a América,” please contact Jennifer Devlin at 703-876-1714 or Jennifer.devlin@cox.net.
