BOSTON, MA — The story of Hispanic media in the United States goes beyond television, it’s the story of how millions of Latinos gained visibility, built connections, and created opportunities, forging a collective identity in a country that often overlooked their voices. Media entrepreneur and Tiempo founder Javier Marín explores this journey in his new book, “Live from America: How Latino TV Conquered the United States”, published by Grupo Planeta, the largest Spanish-language publishing group.
Spanning 320 pages and available in both Spanish and English, “Live from America” appeals to anyone curious about the cultural, technological, and business evolution of Hispanic media.
“It’s a story about ambition, identity, and the people who changed what America saw on screen, and in doing so helped shape the country we live in today.” said Marín.
Now available in Spanish, with the English edition coming November 11, 2025, the book traces the Spanish International Network (SIN), now Univision, from its early beginnings to its rise as the nation’s leading Hispanic media network.
“I’ve always been drawn to companies and people who create lasting impact, not short-lived success stories,” Javier Marín explained. As an immigrant in the U.S., he was inspired to explore Hispanic media and highlight the barriers faced by Latino journalists and media entrepreneurs, from language obstacles to exclusion in English-language media.
In Live from America, Javier Marín highlights how television became far more than entertainment for the Hispanic community. From the groundbreaking live broadcast of the 1970 FIFA World Cup, which connected millions of Latinos via satellite, to beloved programs and characters like Sábado Gigante, El Chapulín Colorado, and the Show of Cristina, television served as a powerful tool for identity, cohesion, and visibility.
The book has received praise from prominent figures in the world of media and academia:
“The research is remarkably in-depth, and I don’t recall ever reading anything like it. It arrives at a crucial moment.” — Jorge Ramos, who was co-anchor of Univision News for almost 40 years.
“This compelling work carries both wisdom and drama; at times it reads like a telenovela, at others like a detective chronicle” — June Carolyn Erlick, Publications Director at David Rockefeller Center, Harvard University.
“A solid investigation of the facts. I learned a lot about an interesting subject. The book is a reference for anyone who wishes to understand the rise of Spanish-language media.” — Marty Baron, former Executive Editor of The Washington Post and The Boston Globe.
Marín also chronicles the challenges behind this pioneering movement: “What the Hispanic community has achieved was not a gift, it was the work of activists, political leaders, community radio and newspapers, and the SIN network.” Despite nearly a decade of legal battles and restrictions on foreign ownership, Spanish-language television broke through, reaching millions of homes and demonstrating that with courage and vision, media can both unite a community and challenge a system not built for them.
Learn more here.
About the Publisher:
Grupo Planeta is the world’s leading Spanish-language publishing group, with a catalog of more than 15,000 authors. Publishing over 4,000 new titles annually, it spans fiction, non-fiction, comics, and educational works in Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Italian. As a world market leader, Grupo Planeta is committed to fostering literary excellence and cultural enrichment worldwide.
About the Author
Javier Marín has owned Spanish-language media outlets in the U.S. since 2000. He co-owns Tiempo in Washington, D.C., and Boston. Marín graduated from Harvard’s Owner/President Management program and lives in Maine with his wife, Carolina.
For more information please contact:
Rosanna Marinelli
954-278-1189
