U.S. Spanish-Language Media and Audiences as Television Emerged

This chapter offers an overview of Hispanic media and audiences in the United States prior to the advent of Spanish-language television broadcasting in 1955. More detailed accounts of the rich media histories discussed are available elsewhere—the intent here is to provide a synopsis of Hispanic popular culture expressed through theater, cinema, music and radio prior to the advent of television. Because new media draw from and contribute to established means of communication, it is important to acknowledge and understand the existence of cultural practices and media business traditions prior to the emergence of a particular medium (Jenkins, 2006).