Tuscaloosa’s First Spanish-Language Radio Station Now Live on 97.5 FM

The city of Tuscaloosa's first Spanish-language radio station is live now on 97.5 FM, replacing the home of classic hits, Nick 97.5, after seven years on the air.

Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa programmed the 97.5 signal from late 2017 until December 31st, 2024, and took Nick offline on January 1st in an agreement with Rivera Communications, the operators of a small number of other stations in Alabama.

The signal is now the home of 97.5 El Jefe - a station for Spanish-speaking adults planning to play "music from today, yesterday and tomorrow."

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Isabel & Joel Rivera started Rivera Communications 22 years ago in Alabaster to launch WQCR "La 10 Q" in Shelby County, and they spoke to the Thread about the new station through a translator last week.

"Launching the company was an investment but it was just to have some communication in Spanish because there was none at all at the time," they said. "And now, we want to keep the community well-informed, we work with several organizations to help out and give back to the community."

The family operates 98.3 La Jefa in Pelham, which translates to "the female boss," an homage to Isabel Rivera.

Tuscaloosa's station is 97.5 El Jefe - "the male boss" - and named for Joel Rivera. They're on the air now, and the Riveras said they will soon have a live, local DJ on the station and area news reports each afternoon.

The Riveras stressed that they are a one-family company, not corporately owned, and they're looking forward to reaching into the West Alabama community.

"The Hispanic community is growing, we're all over the place now," the Riveras said. "And I think people are starting to see how the Hispanic Community contributes to a city and they know the importance of keeping them there."

Townsquare Media still operates seven radio stations in Tuscaloosa and the hyperlocal news website the Tuscaloosa Thread.