We’re thrilled to share some exciting news that holds great significance for our Hispanic community in the greater Seattle area. Comcast has announced a partnership with Se Habla Media to support and expand the Jaime Mendez News Spanish-language newscast, reaching more than 60,000 Hispanic community members in our area. This partnership includes a grant for operational and technological support, as well as a dedicated 7am weekday spot to air on Comcast’s Xfinity TV Channel 79 in King and Snohomish Counties.
When Sinclair Broadcasting Group discontinued its Univision affiliate at the end of 2023, our local Spanish newscast disappeared, creating a significant barrier to essential information for many Hispanics. This void led Jaime Mendez and his wife Diana Oliveros to take matters into their own hands and establish local media outlet, Se Habla Media.
Se Habla Media was born from the determination of Oliveros and Jaime Mendez to fill the gap left by Univision’s departure. They recognized that creating a media outlet was the best and perhaps only solution to ensure the continuity of local Spanish-language news. Within a short span of three months, they launched Se Habla Media on January 1, 2024. This initiative was not only a professional endeavor but also a personal one, as Oliveros and Mendez, a married couple, transformed their home into a studio.
Before partnering with Comcast, Se Habla Media was limited to online broadcasts. Despite the lack of extensive marketing and a TV channel, it managed to attract over 120,000 followers and reached more than a million viewers on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. While most of its audience is in the Puget Sound area, Se Habla Media also has followers in Central and Eastern Washington, California, and Mexico. The addition of a TV cable channel and Comcast’s support will expand its reach and audience.
The technological gap within some segments of our Hispanic community cannot be overlooked. While internet access and social media are often assumed to be universally available, the reality is that television remains a crucial source of information for many, especially the most vulnerable among us.
Jaime Mendez, the former news anchor for Seattle’s Univision broadcast, has been a pioneer in Hispanic media for 25 years. Oliveros, a career diplomat specializing in community outreach and local economic development, has spent six years in Seattle as Consul for Community Outreach at the Consulate of Mexico. She has worked tirelessly to address the needs of the Mexican migrant community, providing health, education, and financial literacy programs. Her deep understanding of our local and regional Spanish-speaking community’s needs has been instrumental in this initiative.
The financial support from Comcast will also enable Se Habla Media to hire freelance reporters to develop news stories, and in the future, Mendez aims to offer more daily news and add a specialized sports show. This partnership marks a significant milestone for our community, ensuring that vital information continues to reach our Hispanic population.
