iHeartMedia has expanded its Spanish News/Talk “Acción” brand from Orlando to Jacksonville and Tampa.
Heard on 810 WRSO Orlovista/Orlando and 97.9 W250CE Kissimmee since 2018, the Acción programming launched today on in the Tampa market on 1250 WHNZ Tampa, 105.9 W290BJ West Tampa and 100.7 WMTX-HD2 and in Jacksonville on 930 WFXJ Jacksonville, 97.3 W247CF Orange Park and 97.9 WKSL-HD2.
WHNZ previously featured a mix of Talk and Sports programming, while W290BJ was part of the Classic Hip Hop “Throwback Tampa Bay” network. The launches in Jacksonville replace a pair of short-lived formats. WFXJ had flipped to Gospel “Hallelujah 930” in January, while W247CF debuted its now former “97.3 El Patrón” identity in May 2020.
iHeartMedia Tampa and Jacksonville announced today that iHeartMedia Orlando’s Acción 97.9 – La Primera En Noticias will simulcast in both markets, effective immediately. The station can now also be heard on Tampa’s 1250 AM, 105.9 FM and 100.7 HD2 and Jacksonville’s 930 AM, 97.3 FM and 97.9 HD2.
Acción first launched in 2018. The station, which made its debut in Orlando, features “Acción en la Mañana with Luis Davila Colon and Jesus Manuel Torres” as well as a team of talented newscasters including Sandra Carrasquillo and Rafael Carderera. In addition, Acción features a variety of well-known on-air personalities such as Peter Vivaldi, Hector Marcano, Wanda Hernandez, Dania Alexandrino, Xavier Villacísm, Diana Raquel and Mariano Gonzalez Solis.
“Acción represents a solution for the Hispanic audience eager for a Spanish speaking newscast and companies that are looking for this fast-growing audience interested in developing a life in the USA,” said Hector Marcano, Senior Vice-President of Hispanic Strategy for iHeartMedia.
“For the past few years, we have worked as a team to keep our Hispanic community informed of the events that have changed history,” said Jesús Manuel Torres, News Director for Acción – La Primera En Noticias. “This time, our commitment continues to grow, and our team is ready to continue bringing relevant information and analysis to each market.”
“I’m excited to expand the Acción brand to other important Hispanic markets in the state of Florida,” said Linda Byrd, Division President for iHeartMedia. “Getting the news and information to Florida’s growing Hispanic population in their native language will be very impactful.”
“We are very excited to deliver a first of its kind Spanish language news platform to the Tampa Bay Hispanic community on 1250 AM, 105.9 FM and 100.7 HD2,” said Chris Soechtig, Area President for iHeartMedia West Central Florida. “With the changing demographics in our area, this is natural addition to our diverse portfolio and an excellent complement to our Spanish Hits format, Rumba 106.5.”
“We are so thrilled to be launching the first full-service Hispanic news talk radio station to Northeast Florida,” said Paul Rogers, Area President for iHeartMedia North Florida. “With the recent launch of the Black Information Network on 104.1FM and Acción on 970 AM, 97.3 FM and also on 97.9 HD2, no other media company can truly help our advertisers, brands and community organizations reach the full spectrum of the First Coast’s diverse populations like iHeart can.”
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com