Univision Radio cuts dozens of workers, centralizes programming

Univision Communications is restructuring its radio division, eliminating dozens of workers at stations around the country as the company centralizes its programming functions.

Univision just confirmed that there had been layoffs, but it declined to say how many people had lost their jobs as part of the realignment. The nation's largest Spanish-language media company, which owns 68 radio stations, began trimming programming staff and some on-air hosts, including in Chicago, in an effort to cut costs.

Rather than rely on staff at the various stations, the company instead is creating three programming centers -- in Los Angeles, San Antonio and Miami -- to produce entertainment for the station chain. “The content teams ... will provide customized and localized content across all of our markets, digital, and beyond,” Jose Valle, president of Univision Radio, said in an open letter distributed by Univision.

Stations will continue to employ local staff members to work with advertisers.