280:, Cortez's son-in-law, was heavily involved from the start, in both running the station and soliciting advertising. Recruiting advertisers was not easy in those early days because most television sets were not equipped to receive UHF. Receiving UHF channels required a converter box, quite an expensive thing at that time (about $ 150 in today's money), so Cortez had to work hard to encourage people to buy a converter to watch his channel. Despite vigorous efforts to attract more advertisers, in 1961, the financial challenges associated with being a UHF station eventually incited Cortez to sell KCOR-TV to a group of investors, including Emilio Nicolas, Sr. and Mexican media tycoon
198:) had suspended the attribution of broadcasting licenses for new radio or TV stations, out of fear that non-English programming could be spreading anti-American propaganda. Once the war was over, the FCC was able to give out licenses again, and Cortez was among the first in line. In 1944, Cortez applied for a license to open his own radio station. To get around wartime restrictions on foreign language media, he stated that part of the station's purpose was to mobilize the Mexican-American community behind the war effort. The license was granted to him, and he eventually opened
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246:) band. This was the first television station aimed solely at a Hispanic audience in the continental U.S. and the first to broadcast on UHF. Initially, due to budget restrictions, programs were aired only in the evening, from 7:00 to 10:00, but slowly but surely, Cortez found sponsors who saw the value of advertising to the Hispanic community, and the station reached all-day broadcasting, offering a variety of daytime shows. Programs such as
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broadcasts. In 1953, Cortez brought in Manuel Bernal, a popular
Mexican radio professional and a skilled musician and writer, to produce commercials and musical programs for the station. Bernal also composed numerous radio jingles. The radio station has remained on the air ever since. Today the station still broadcasts in Spanish only, under the same call letters, on the 1350 AM frequency, with programming from
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show was destined to have a lasting and deep impact on the local music scene. Scratch
Phillips was later credited by many artists for exposing them to the type of music that would inspire them to become musicians. He gave support to both local African-American and Chicano R&B groups and is recognized for introducing Soul Music to San Antonians a decade later.
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An example of the positive contributions that KCOR made towards the promotion of Latino and Black artists locally was the case of Albert "Scratch" Phillips, one of the first black disc jockeys in San
Antonio. Phillips was hired by KCOR in May 1951 to host a nightly two-hour rhythm and blues show. The
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In 1947, Cortes requested the FCC to permit KCOR to change "from 1350 kc, 1 kw power, daytime only, to 1350 kc, 5 kw power, unlimited time, employing a directional antenna day and night, to install a new transmitter and change transmitter location." At the same time, the FCC also authorized a
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to play live music on the air. Programming also focused on sharing the
Mexican community's challenges and triumphs, through call-in shows and advice programs. Cortez also formed the "Sombrero" radio network, a chain of stations across the USA that combined forces to improve and promote radio
164:, Tamaulipas, Mexico. As a young man, Cortez sold eggs on the streets to earn money for airtime on local radio stations, where he would produce a variety of hours in which he sold advertising. In the 1910s, the family emigrated to the United States, soon after the start of the
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against
Mexican Americans in Texas public schools. Cortez was active in helping the wider community of citizens in South Texas, including raising funds to help victims of the 1954 floods in the Rio Grande Valley. He also worked with Mexican President
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with 'W', and stations west of the
Mississippi with 'K'. The following three letters came from Cortez's surname, making KCOR. Being on an AM frequency meant the station had a wide reach. Cortez brought in talent from Mexico and
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Cortez soon came to the conclusion that a new, full-time
Spanish-language radio station was needed. He wanted to be able to broadcast Spanish-language programming all day, every day and night. However, during
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Cortez died on
December 17, 1971, in San Antonio, Texas. He was survived by his wife Genoveva Valdés Cortez, son Raoul Cortez Jr., and daughters Rosamaria Cortez (Toscano) and Irma Cortez (Nicolas).
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jointly honored
Nicolas and Cortez with the NAB "Spirit of Broadcasting" award for their pioneering work in bringing Hispanic programming to America. In 2007 the professional publication
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1350 AM in San
Antonio in 1946, the first all Spanish-language radio station owned and operated by a Hispanic, using the signature line "La Voz Mexicana, the Voice of Mexican Americans."
295:. He served as director for District 15, which included San Antonio, and led the organization for two consecutive terms as president in 1948 and 1949, during which he oversaw the
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from Mexico or ones featuring well-known Mexican actors. The station also offered community shows that answered common questions, like how to obtain a
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rights in the USA. In 1981 the city of San Antonio named the Raoul A. Cortez Branch Library in recognition of his accomplishments. In 2006, the
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actor Lalo Astol, who also had been involved in KCOR radio productions. Besides locally-produced programming, the station aired movies and
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545:"Smithsonian Insider – En Sintonía: Tuning in to the Origins of Spanish-Language Television in the U.S. | Smithsonian Insider"
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817:"Hispanic Broadcasting Pioneers Emilio Nicolas Sr. And The Late Raoul A. Cortez To Receive NAB Spirit of Broadcasting Award"
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648:"NOTICES [Docket No. 8357] Raoul A. Cortez (KCOR) Order Designating Application for Hearing on Stated Issues"
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created the Medallas de Cortez to recognize excellence in Hispanic radio broadcasting. In 2015 a new exhibit, titled
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120:(October 17, 1905 – December 17, 1971) was a Mexican–American media executive, best remembered for founding
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and once more produce his own Spanish language variety hour and sell the advertising time for his shows.
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Raoul with Mexican movie star Arturo de Cordova and Argentinian-born Mexican movie star Jorge "Ché" Reyes
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Cortez received numerous awards and honors for his achievements concerning Hispanic broadcasting and
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Cortez served in various leadership roles with the League of United Latin American Citizens (
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868:"LibGuides: Anniv-Cortez Branch 40th: More about Cortez Branch and Raoul A. Cortez"
700:(18). Washington, DC: National Association of Broadcasters: 371, 379. May 5, 1947.
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Raoul A. Cortez: a visionary advocate of Latino culture and civil rights
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Two years later, in 1955, after many years of lobbying, Cortez launched
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Spanish-language radio and television station owner and developer
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721:"Here's Why Radio Stations Always Start with a 'K' or 'W'"
842:"The Birth of Spanish-Language Television in Los Angeles"
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Channel 41, broadcast on the new Ultra-High Frequency (
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or even assisting community members in finding a job.
176:. He got his start in media working as a reporter for
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American Enterprise: A History of Business in America
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Then, as now, full-power radio stations east of the
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894:"2023 Medallas de Cortez Winners Honored In Miami"
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337:National Association of Broadcasters
152:Raoul A. Cortez was born in 1905 in
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846:NOMADIC BORDER | LA FRONTERA NOMADA
626:National Museum of American History
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919:"Raoul A. Cortez's 118th Birthday"
765:Texas State Historical Association
543:Anderson, Maria (March 27, 2017).
471:"Spanish-language TV born in S.A."
315:to ameliorate the plight of Black
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573:sanantonioradiohalloffame.com
386:Serwer, Andy (May 26, 2015).
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892:Ink, Radio (June 15, 2023).
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866:Balderas-Martinez, Aurora.
786:"Albert "Scratch" Phillips"
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300:Independent School District
282:Emilio Azcárraga Vidaurreta
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1004:American media executives
302:case, marking the end of
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126:contiguous United States
935:About his Google Doodle
761:"Cortez, Raoul Alfonso"
413:Handbook of Texas Music
361:was made honoring him.
128:, in 1946. The station
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622:"Spanish Television"
687:"May 5 1947 report"
347:American Enterprise
311:and U.S. President
1024:People from Xalapa
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298:Delgado v. Bastrop
278:Emilio Nicolas Sr.
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208:FM Class B station
170:San Antonio, Texas
166:Mexican Revolution
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80:San Antonio
983:Categories
950:Legacy.com
373:References
107:stations,
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898:Radio Ink
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349:, at the
342:Radio Ink
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
