The Hispanic-targeted media platform MundoNow is stepping up its efforts to showcase Latino podcast creators. It is partnering with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to launch the MundoNow Latino Book and Podcast Club. It will spotlight Latino podcast creators and authors, giving them access to MundoNow’s growing audience of over 20 million bilingual Latinos across digital and social channels.
Every two months starting in February 2025, the MundoNow Latino Book and Podcast Club will feature Spanish and English podcasts, along with fiction, non-fiction, children’s literature, and young adult selections. Through live discussions along with social and digital engagement, it says the club will connect creators to listeners and readers.
“Latinos make up nearly 20% of the U.S. population and growing fast, yet our stories remain underrepresented in mainstream media,” MundoNow CEO Rene Alegria says. “Our book and podcast club is designed to fill that gap, making Latino storytellers more accessible to bilingual audiences across generations. In partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, and through our own podcast network, Oyénos Audio, we are creating a platform that empowers our community and celebrates our unique voices be heard and read.”
Since its launch in February 2023, Oyénos has tripled in size, averaging 1.5 million downloads per month. Its show roster includes series that touch a wide range of subjects, from true crime and astrology to news and current events. In March, MundoNow announced that Oyenos was teaming up with iHeartMedia and its My Cultura network in a collaboration to grow its reach. Under the deal, iHeart will distribute podcasts that are part of Oyénos, and the two Hispanic podcast networks will jointly move into the advertising market.
“There are so few platforms that prioritize bilingual Latino authors and storytellers, and by extension new readers and listeners,” said Antonio Tijerino, President/CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. “Partnering with MundoNow allows us to continue to spotlight Latino creators through the HHF Fritanga Podcast, a cultural convening to find comfort, connection, information, identity, and inspiration, where members of our community from different backgrounds share their stories. Our stories.”
The launch of the MundoNow Latino Book and Podcast Club coincides with Alegria being featured in the renowned Get Caught Reading campaign. For the first time, the campaign will release Alegria’s poster in both English and Spanish, recognizing his lifelong commitment to amplifying Latino voices. It will be made available to order for over 22,000 schools, libraries, and bookstores nationwide, further promoting the importance of Latino representation in literacy.
“Rene is a national leader in championing Latino stories, from best-selling authors to crucial journalism,” said Carl Lennertz, Executive Director of Every Child a Reader. “His commitment to Latino literature and storytelling makes him an ideal figure to inspire young readers across the country.”
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