Locally produced Spanish television arrives in state

By Devona Walker

Published: July 9, 2008

TULSA — One Hispanic entrepreneur celebrated Independence Day by opening what he says is the only locally owned Spanish-language television station in the state.

Antonio Perez, whose Las Americas chain of grocery stores cater to the Hispanic market, started broadcasting Friday out of Tulsa on KXAP-51. About 50 percent of the programming will be local, Perez said.

He has tapped Guillermo Roja, also of Tulsa, to be news director for the station — one of about 30 full-time workers.

"The first thing I saw is a great opportunity to do business, not to mention keeping my people informed,” Perez said. "It's a totally different kind of business. But we're getting there.”

Getting up to speed on running a broadcast station, Perez concedes, has been both costly and nerve-racking. He says he has invested about $1 million already. The station likely will require about $100,000 per month to stay afloat. Perez says he doesn't expect to start making that investment back until six months out.

Perez says that within the month Channel 51 should be broadcasting through Cox Communications and serving all of Oklahoma. Now it is available only in the Tulsa metro area. Cox Communications confirmed it is discussing options with KXAP.

"We have been talking with them, but nothing has been finalized,” said Christine Martin, Cox spokeswoman.

Cox provides numerous Spanish-language channels. But Roja, who also publishes the Spanish-language newspaper La Semana, which means The Week, points out KXAP will be the only locally owned, Spanish-language outlet.

He says Channel 51 will capitalize on local programming, news, weather and entertainment.

Hispanics make up about 6.9 percent of the state's population, according to the 2006 U.S. Census. Spanish-speakers make up the fastest growing demographic in Oklahoma and the nation.

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