Nathan Safir (1913 or July 14, 1914[3] – September 7, 1996) was an American radio executive and broadcaster who was active in the development of Spanish-language radio in the United States after the Second World War.
Nathan Safir | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1913 or 1914 |
| Died | September 7, 1996 |
| Occupation | Radio executive |
Early life
editSafir was born to Russian parents in Connecticut, but was raised in Monterrey, Mexico, and attended the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a bachelor's degree in journalism.[1] He did not speak English at the age of 12 and was sent to be educated at the Texas Military Institute.[2] Safir's first job after graduation was with the Laredo Times newspaper; he then became the assistant news editor for station WOAI in San Antonio[4] before moving to competing station KABC.[5] He started what was said to be the city's first Spanish-language radio program at station KTSA in 1940.[5][2]
Later life
editAfter serving in the infantry in World War II (during which time he hosted Spanish-language shows for Armed Forces Radio in London[2]), Safir became a pioneer in Spanish-language broadcasting in San Antonio, helping to develop KCOR (1350 AM), an all-Spanish radio station in San Antonio started in 1946 by Raúl Cortez.[2] Station development was slow: by 1954, there were just ten Spanish-language radio stations in the country,[6] and people sometimes thought the station broadcast directly from Mexico.[1] Safir would also serve three years as general manager of KCOR's television expansion, KCOR-TV (later KWEX-TV), as well as 44 years as general manager of the radio station, retiring in 1990.[1] During his time at the station, he was said to oversee "the whole ball of wax", from programming to community involvement.[2]
In his later career, Safir was recognized as one of the leading lights of Spanish-language radio, being elected president of the Spanish Radio Broadcasters of America and the Texas Association of Broadcasters.[2] In 1984, Tichenor Media, which owned KCOR and other Spanish-language media properties, created a Tichenor Spanish Media Group and named Safir its president, with CEO McHenry Tichenor calling him "the premier Spanish broadcaster in the U.S." and "the dean in the field".[7] He was inducted into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame by the National Association of Broadcasters in 1989;[2] NAB chairman Lowry Mays, founder of San Antonio-based Clear Channel Communications, noted that "he has never wavered or doubted the ultimate success of the Spanish format".[5]
Safir died on September 7, 1996, from complications of diabetes. An obituary in the San Antonio Express-News described him as "a trailblazer in Spanish-language broadcasting in the United States".[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Safir, Spanish-language broadcasting pioneer, dies at 83". San Antonio Express-News. September 9, 1996. p. 8A. (See also the correction run September 10, 1996)
- ^ a b c d e f g h Pace, Eric (September 12, 1996). "Nathan Safir, 83, Spanish-Radio Pioneer, Dies". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ Cano, Jr., Ray (April 30, 2015). "Nathan Safir". Handbook of Texas. Texas State Historical Association. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ "Behind the Mike" (PDF). Broadcasting. May 1, 1938. p. 46. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ a b c "NAB Hall of Fame" (PDF). Broadcasting. January 30, 1989. p. 52. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ Tiegel, Eliot (July 25, 1988). "Hispanic culture thrives like mesquite in western U.S." (PDF). Television/Radio Age. p. A32. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 12, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ "Safir New President: Tichenor Sets Spanish Media Group" (PDF). Radio & Records. December 14, 1984. p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2022.