ACIR Group

ACIR Group or Association of Independent Radio Concessionaires is a Mexican radio group that operates several radio stations under brands such as: Amor, Match, MIX, La Comadre, Radio Felicidad y Noticias.

History

ACIR Group was founded on June 8, 1965, when Francisco Ibarra bought the radio station XEDQ-AM (Radio Alegría) in San Andrés Tuxtla, Veracruz.

During the next two years, three new radio stations were integrated: XEOM-AM in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, XEMM-AM in Morelia, Michoacán, XEMIA-AM in Guadalajara, Jalisco; and three amplitude modulated stations in the Federal District: XEL-AM Radio Capital; XEFR-AM Radio Happiness and XEVOZ-AM Radio Voice.

In 1966, the group had 22 radio stations, including owned, managed and affiliated. The distinctive feature of Grupo ACIR compared to its competitors was to provide a comprehensive sales, programming, engineering and legal advice service to all its stations.

In 1970, one more station joined the group: XHSH-FM 95.3 MHz, Radio Amistad, from Mexico City.

It was in 1976 when Grupo ACIR Nacional was created, an organization designed to manage and market the group's stations throughout the country.

With the arrival of new technologies, in 1983, the Radio Capital station located in Mexico City, became the first to play music with compact discs (CD) on the air.

In 1984 it became the first radio group to have 140 radio stations, with the purchase of seven stations in the cities of Delicias (Chihuahua), Puebla, Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco) and Villahermosa (Tabasco).

In 1985, the news agency Radio Comunicación Humana, precursor of ACIR Noticias, began operations.

It was in 1986 that ACIR SAT was founded, the first satellite radio link system.

In 1987, the Puebla company Grupo HR, made up of the stations XEHR-AM, XEPOP-AM, XHVC-FM, XHRC-FM, XHRH-FM and XHJE-FM 94.1 MHz, joined Grupo ACIR.

On January 11, 1988, the program Espacio Deportivo, the first radio sports magazine, began broadcasting. The following year, the news program Panorama Informativo began broadcasting simultaneously on XEL-AM and It broadcast from 7:00 to 11:00 nationwide to more than 70 stations in the country's main cities. In that same year, four stations from cities such as Cancún (Quintana Roo), Mérida and Valladolid joined the group.

At the turn of the decade, Grupo ACIR was a pioneer in the use of mobile transmission units.

In 1992, LP records were used for the last time at Grupo ACIR stations and the distribution of compact discs began.

In the 1990s, Grupo ACIR complemented Panorama Informativo with other news systems that placed it in a unique place in terms of audience and national presence. Vector XXI driven by José Cárdenas. Acir Radio Noticias, total information system, with Ana Patricia Candiani and Jesús Martín Mendoza Arriola. Efrén Flores also stood out with Invertiendo en México, the first program specialized in economics and finance on Mexican radio.

At the beginning of 1995, three stations from the ARTSA company with concessions in the Federal District joined the group: XHM-FM 88.9 MHz, Azul 89; XHPOP-FM 99.3 MHz, Digital 99; and XHDFM-FM 106.5 MHz, Amor 106, which soon became Mix FM.

In 1999, other stations were incorporated in Pachuca, Toluca and Puebla. In this last place, despite the existence of Grupo ACIR Puebla, it lacked representation by Grupo ACIR. Thus, the latter allied with Corporación Puebla de Radiodifusion for the operation of its brands.

2003 was a year of renewal for Grupo ACIR, since they integrated into their operation the most advanced audio systems in terms of broadcasting technology. That same year two new concepts went on the air: 88.9 Noticias on 88.9 MHz and The 1260 at 1260 kHz; the first focused on information, the second aimed at the female audience.

In 2004, ACIR Group created the Total Traffic Radio concept, reporting on road and traffic matters every 15 minutes. Simultaneously, traffic information is reported in Mexico City, Querétaro and Monterrey, as well as Atlanta and San Diego, in the United States of America.

Also in 2004, Grupo ACIR organized a massive concert in the Federal District: The Megaconcert, breaking attendance records by bringing together more than 120,000 spectators in the Zócalo of Mexico City. two first editions, on April 17 and October 24 and 145,000 more in the 2005 editions, on April 16 and October 20. For 2006, on May 7, it reached another record number: 155,000 attendees.^{[citation required]}

In 2005, the station XEPO-AM 1100 kHz, Inolvidable 1100 AM, was disestablished in San Luis Potosí. This station is acquired by the Controladora de Medios group to convert it into a repeater of Imagen Radio. In this plaza it maintains the XHNB-FM 95.3 MHz stations; XHQK-FM 98.5 MHz and XHTL-FM 99.3 MHz.

In Puebla, on June 1, 2007, Grupo ACIR Puebla disappeared, and became Cinco Radio, thus creating an autonomous consortium directed solely by the Cañedo Castillo family. In parallel, the Puebla Radio Broadcasting Corporation has since been called “ACIR Group.”

As part of its strategy, in 2009 the following stations were disincorporated.

• Tijuana XHRST-FM 107.7, Baja California.
• XHVI-FM 99.1 from San Juan del Río, Querétaro.
• XEZAR-AM 920 de Puebla de Zaragoza, Puebla.
• XEACA-AM 950 Acapulco, Guerrero.
• Sonorens XHCNE-FM 104.7, XHLDC-FM 90.7, XHPPO-FM 93.5, XHRCL-FM 89.5 de Cananea, Magdalena de Kino, Puerto Peñasco and San Luis Río Colorado, respectively, as well as XEEB-AM 760 and XEIQ-AM 960 de Ciudad Obregón.
• XEPJ-AM 1370 from Guadalajara, Jalisco.
• XEVOZ-AM 1590 de México D. F.
• XEQY-AM 1200 from Toluca, State of Mexico
• XERZ-AM 1000 de León, Guanajuato
• XEEBC-AM 730 and XHAT-FM 101.1 from Ensenada, Baja California
• XHEPR-FM 99.1 from Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua

In 2011 Grupo ACIR opened stations in Zacatecas and Aguascalientes, as it formed an alliance with Grupo Radiofónico ZER and in 2017 the alliance between Grupo Radiofónico ZER and Grupo ACIR ended.

In 2013, important changes occurred in the ACIR Group stations. In the month of July, the station AM change their image and make slight modifications to their musical repertoires, however they do not change their format, that is, they continue as Mix 106.5 FM and Radio Felicidad 1180 AM, La XHPOP -FM changes its concept to Radio Disney 99.3 although maintaining the current pop and youth music format. XHSH-FM and XEL-AM remain as Amor and La 1260 respectively, without undergoing any change.

The same year the group sold Sispe Radio for the stations XHMT-FM 98.5 and XHYU-FM 100.1 in Mérida, Yucatán and XHROOC-FM 101.7 in Chetumal, Quintana Roo.

In 2014 the expansion of Radio Disney begins.

In 2015, the La 1260 format disappeared in XEL-AM and was replaced by La Comadre.

In 2017, the group stops operating the stations XHIU-FM 105.7 in Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca XHMY-FM 95.7 in Pachuca, Hidalgo and

In 2018 the 88.9 Noticias format returns, replacing Siempre 88.9, maintaining the same programming. In April of the same year, it moved from XEMIA-AM 850 to XHEMIA-FM 90.3 in the city of Guadalajara, Jalisco, and in June, it moved from XEOK-AM 900 to Disney within the state's stations.

As of the last quarter of 2018, Grupo Acir begins the operation of IHeartRadio in Mexico by moving the transmission of its stations through that online platform, also launching a line of more than 30 virtual stations of various genres without commercial interruptions.

On December 24, 2019, ACIR ends the alliance with The Walt Disney Company México, disappearing the Radio Disney México concept. Match FM appears to replace it on December 25, becoming official on January 7, 2020 at noon.

On July 31, 2021, ACIR transfers the operation of XEL-AM 1260 to the Catholic radio station ESNE, so the La Comadre format is no longer heard in Mexico City. On January 1, 2022, he returned to the concept of grupera music.

Between 2020 and 2023, the following stations left the group again.

• XHTL-FM 99.3 de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí
• XHPVA-FM 90.3 from Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
• The synaloes XHVQ-FM 96.9 and XHMAT-FM 99.5 of Culiacán and Mazatlan respectively.
• XHCIA-FM 91.7 and XHCOC-FM 99.7 of Colima, Colima
• XHIL-FM 88.5 and XHCS-FM 103.7 of Veracruz, Veracruz
• XHVILL-FM 103.3 from Villahermosa, Tabasco
• XHNE-FM 100.1 and XHOM-FM 107.5 of Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz
• XHDQ-FM 103.9 by San Andrés Tuxtla, Veracruz
• XHDM-FM 102.7 of Hermosillo, Sonora
• XHOZ-FM 91.7 of Xalapa, Veracruz
• XHAGS-FM 103.1 of Acapulco, Guerrero

Company mottos

• 1981: Human communication
• 1983: Human radiocommunication
• 1994: National Radio Leader
• 2015: Connecting millions

Main and current brands

88.9 News

Format that transmits spoken information programs during the day and rock in Spanish from the 80s and 90s at night. Until 2017 the name of the station was Always 88.9.

Slogans

Like 88.9 News

• 2003: Information served
• 2018: Information that serves. Traffic and climate every 15 minutes

As Always 88.9

• 2013: Best in your language
• 2015: Traffic and climate every 15 minutes

Love

Catalogue and contemporary commercial ballad format in Spanish from the 80s to the present. Until 2002 the name of the station was Unforgettable.

Slogans

Like Unforgettable

• 1997: Unforgettable, like the best of your life

Like Love

• 2002: Just romantic music

The Comadre

Popular music format (grupera, banda and norteña).

Slogans

• 1994: The Great Radio Star
• 1998: Yes, move it!
• 2002: Pure successes
• 2011: Pure successes and more music What not?
• 2012: Pure successes What not?
• 2017: Pure successes, Pure Comadrazos
• 2019: Successes and classics (exclusive in Mexico City)

Match

Youth music in English from the 2000s to the present. Until December 24, 2019, the name of the station was Radio Disney México.

Slogans

Like Digital

• 1988: The perfect balance
• 1993: Your basic idea on radio
• 1999: Only successes
• 2006: Always the best music... only successes
• 2012: I listen 99-3

Like Radio Disney Mexico

• 2013: The radio that listens to you

Like Match FM

• 2019: Successes, more music, Connect

MIX

Music in English, from the 1980s to the mid-2010s.

Slogans

• 1995: The perfect musical mix
• 2001: Pop music
• 2003: A lot of rhythm
• 2006 and 2014: 80's 90's and more
• 2011: Maximum music, maximum mix
• 2012: The new Mix: Maximum music, maximum mix
• 2013: 80's, 90's and Today
• 2015: 80's, 90's and more music
• 2016: No motto
• 2019: 80's 90's and more

Radio Happiness

Commercial ballad in Spanish from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Slogans

• 1970: Happiness Radio is for you
• 1986: The Sound of Your Time
• 1991: Unlimited musical evolution
• 2002: The successes of always
• 2009: The best moments... The official station of José José
• 2010: The best moments and more music... The official station of José José
• 2013: Radio Felicidad, la nueva 1180 AM ¡Súbele! (exclusivo en el Distrito Federal)
• 2015: The best moments

Other brands

Blue

Catalog music in English in adult contemporary format, including piano and jazz instrumental pieces.

It broadcast on XHM-FM as Azul 89 and XHRC-FM until 2003; in San Luis Potosí on XHTL-FM until February 2011. Since 2005 it has been broadcasting via the internet. In 2018 with the operation of iHeartRadio, the Azul 89 format returns with capsules from the announcer Jorge Lapuente and a renewal of its musical catalog.

Motto

• The Color of Music

City

The only station in Mexico dedicated exclusively to genres such as downtempo, lounge and chill out. It is transmitted only over the internet. With the arrival of iHeartRadio in 2018, it moved to the platform.

Stereo Pop

Pop music format in English and Spanish, broadcast from Acapulco, Guerrero on XHAGS-FM and XEAGS-AM.

Disused brands

Always

Format that transmitted spoken information and music programs in Spanish from the 80s and 90s. It was replaced by 88.9 Noticias in January 2018.

Motto

• 2013: Best in your language
• 2015: Traffic and climate every 15 minutes

Digital

Youth music format in English and Spanish. It was replaced by Radio Disney in 2013.

Motto

• 1988: The perfect balance
• 1993: Your basic idea on radio
• 1999: Only successes
• 2006: Always the best music... only successes
• 2012: I listen 99 3

Pretty

It broadcast ranchera music and boleros from the 40's, 50's and 60's; concept aimed at people over 50 years of age. It disappeared completely in 2007 and was present in cities such as Aguascalintes, Acapulco, Guanajuato, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Querétaro, Puebla, San Luis Potosí and Morelia, in the latter it occupied the frequency XEKW 1300 AM. In Mexico City, it was broadcast from 1997 to 2004 on the XEVOZ-AM 1590 AM frequency. In 2019, the format returns on iHeartRadio, under the name “Llegó el Mariachi”.

Motto

• With the music of my land

The 12 60

Talk station aimed at a female audience. Used from November 3, 2003 to June 12, 2015 in XEL-AM.

Motto

• Improving your daily life

Light

Luz was the brand under which Grupo ACIR transmitted music "of faith" and personal improvement content, specifying that said station is "secular avant-garde" and that it has no religious tendencies, although part of the station's programming consisted of Christian music in Spanish. It was on the air from January 2008 to December 2009, also on 1590 AM in Mexico City. In 2020 the format was revived as a virtual station on IHeartRadio, which a few months after its start changed its name to & #34;Genesis Radio'.

Slogans

• 2008: Turn on your heart.
• 2009: The music that makes the difference.

Rust

It broadcast rock in English, having as a precedent the success of stations such as Radio Alicia, Rock 101 and WFM. The format was used on the XEVOZ-AM 1590 kHz and XEFR-AM 1180 kHz stations from 1996 to 1998.

The people in charge of this concept were Aníbal Córdoba, the announcers were: Juan Carlos Rueda, Luis Méndez, Antonio Esquinca, Olivia Luna, Manuel Fernández, Clauzzen Hernández, Rodrigo Kennedy, Rafael Bassalduar "El Bazooka", Gabriel Ríos and Victor Pineda "El Cibernauta" ».

The programs that were broadcast were: Gaveta 12, In the horns of the moon, Rincón del blues, Alquimia, Asfalto, Prelude, Radio fusion, Independent ethics, It's already ten o'clock, Lora's hour, Toxic and corrosive line, Metalmorfosis, The 6 o'clock program and Cinderella.

Motto

• 1996: Mental breadth.

ACIR Radio

Spoken programming format. It broadcast on various stations of the group nationwide, including: XEACA-AM, XEHR-AM, XEL-AM, XESON-AM.

Slogans

• 1988: Sign of the country
• 1995: Word of honour
• 1999: The signal from the country
• 2002: News today
• 2004: National Radio Leader

Radio Capital

Radio format with musical and spoken programming. It broadcast on various stations of the group, such as: XEL-AM, XEVOZ-AM and XEFR-AM.

Slogans

• A good custom of young people
• The discotheque of young people

Clock Radio / Traffic Radio

Concepts used in XEVOZ-AM from January 2005 to February 2008. They consisted of reporting the exact time in central Mexico every minute. It started in 2004 as Radio Reloj 1590 and used the sound of a cuckoo clock in its promotions. In August 2006 it changed its name to Radio Tráfico 1590, maintaining the Radio Reloj format but including reports on Mexico City road traffic and ambient temperature every 15 minutes.

Slogans

• Time to minute and much more

Super Sports

Talk programming format about sports. It began on station XEFR-AM, 1180 kHz in Mexico City, and in Guadalajara, Jalisco, on station XEPJ-AM, 1370 kHz. The initial concept created by Francisco Javier González became independent, now it is TDW on Televisa Radio (today Radiopolis).

Motto

• 1999: All sports all day

Radio Friendship

The frequency modulated station that Grupo Acir incorporated in 1970 in Mexico City, occupied the space of XHSH-FM 95.3 MHz. Its programming was modern and contemporary international music, which was transmitted with recordings, without shifts. live. The best-known leading voice of this project was that of the announcer Argia Morales. The station lasted under that name until 1988, when it became Stereo Amistad until going off the air in 1995.

Motto

• In the heart of the FM
• Your radial space

Unforgettable

Commercial catalog ballad format in Spanish.

Slogans

• Unforgettable, as the best of your life (Only 95.3)
• Romantic Remembrance

Radio Disney

Pop music format, after the end of its alliance with Grupo Acir, on December 25, 2019, it becomes Match FM, officially launching its programming on January 7, 2020.

Value content

Starting in January 2016, Grupo Acir has created a series of free eBooks with valuable content, from guides for creating radio advertisements, manuals for identifying the target audience, to analysis of appropriate media to promote brands, with the aim of helping companies make better advertising investment decisions and create radio ads that connect with their audiences.