What Futuro Media Group does

Futuro Media Group is an independent, nonprofit multimedia news organization founded in 2010 by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa and headquartered in Harlem, New York City. It produces independent journalism across audio, video, and digital platforms, anchored by three operating brands: Latino USA, the longest-running Latino news and culture program on US public radio, anchored by Hinojosa since 1993 and airing on roughly 387 stations; Futuro Studios, its Pulitzer Prize-winning podcast and original programming division producing hits such as Suave (2022 Pulitzer for Audio Reporting), La Brega, Anything for Selena, LOUD: The History of Reggaeton, Stars and Stars with Isa, My Divo, and Reaching Out; and Futuro Investigates, an IRE and Murrow award-winning investigative unit producing multimedia projects including the co-production The Network with NPR's Embedded franchise. The organization also operates In The Thick, a political podcast, and in April 2025 launched Futuro+, a subscription membership program offering ad-free listening, early access to seasons, bonus episodes, and members-only events.

The company generates revenue through a diversified nonprofit media stack rather than a single commercial channel. Recurring and grant-based contributions come from institutional funders including the Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and Heising-Simons, supplemented by individual donations and structured giving circles — Founder's Circle at $5,000+ per year and Familia Circle at $1,200-$4,999 per year — that confer donor-engagement benefits. Corporate sponsorships target brand partners seeking authentic reach into Latino audiences, exemplified by the State Farm sponsorship of Stars and Stars with Isa. Content licensing and co-production deals with Spotify (exclusive on LOUD), SiriusXM (Listen Next), iHeartMedia (My Cultura Podcast Network for Latino USA from July 2025), AppleTV+ (My Divo), PRX (public radio distribution), NPR Embedded, WNYC, WBUR, Higher Ground, and Sonoro produce distribution royalties, production fees, and ad-revenue share. Direct-to-consumer subscription revenue is driven by the Futuro+ tiers: Futurista at $6.99/month and Campeón at $9.99/month or $100/year, fulfilled via the Supporting Cast platform across approximately 12 podcast apps.

Futuro Media is governed by a co-CEO model (Marlon Bishop and Peniley Ramírez as Co-CEOs and Co-Executive Directors) with Hinojosa as Founder and President, and reaches 10-15 million people annually across its platforms. Its award ledger — Pulitzer (2022), Peabody (2022), Murrow (2024), Webby (2024), Tribeca (2026), Signal Gold (2025), multiple Ambies (2023), and NAHJ Ñ nominations (2024) — anchors editorial credibility in the underserved Latino news segment. Distribution is anchored by the 387-station public-radio broadcast, the iHeartMedia podcast network, the Spotify exclusive slate, the SiriusXM co-productions, and YouTube and social channels managed in-house. Operating geographies are concentrated in the United States and Canada; there is no disclosed presence in Latin America despite audience and content relevance. AI, automation, or algorithmic tooling is not documented in the company's technology stack; its differentiators are editorial and human-talent-driven rather than platform- or model-driven.

Name

Futuro Media Group

Legal name

Futuro Media Group

Website

https://futuromediagroup.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Futuro Media Group is a Latina-led independent nonprofit multimedia news organization founded in 2010 by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. It produces award-winning bilingual journalism across audio, video, and digital platforms through Latino USA, Futuro Studios, and Futuro Investigates, serving Latino communities and broader American audiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Radio & Podcast Media (Nonprofit Journalism)

NAICS

Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Audio Production & Podcasting (BPAFAIAE)

Keywords

• Nonprofit journalism
• Public radio programming
• Podcast production
• Investigative journalism
• Bilingual storytelling

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Futuro+ Subscription Program: Monthly and annual subscription tiers offering ad-free listening, early access to seasons, bonus episodes, and exclusive members-only events. Launched April 2025.
2. Foundation Grants: Funding from institutional foundations including Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Heising-Simons, and others supporting nonprofit journalism.
3. Corporate Sponsorship: Brand sponsorships and branded content partnerships targeting Latino audiences, facilitated through corporate sponsorship program.
4. Individual Donations and Giving Circles: Major donor program with Founder's Circle ($5,000+/year) and Familia Circle ($1,200-$4,999/year), plus general individual donations supporting independent journalism.
5. Podcast Distribution Licensing: Content licensing and co-production deals with platforms including Spotify, AppleTV+, SiriusXM, and iHeartMedia for original programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Futuro Media Group produces and distributes award-winning multimedia journalism, primarily in audio format (public radio programs and podcasts), bilingual in English and Spanish. Its core offerings are the Latino USA public radio program and podcast, original narrative podcasts from Futuro Studios (e.g., Suave, La Brega, Anything for Selena, LOUD), investigative reporting through Futuro Investigates, the political podcast In The Thick, and a paid subscription membership program called Futuro+ providing ad-free listening, early access, and bonus content.

Product overview

Futuro Media Group is a Latina-led, independent nonprofit news media organization and podcast studio that operates a multi-platform portfolio of journalism and audio content. The organization is structured around three core divisions: (1) Latino USA, a Peabody Award-winning weekly public radio program and podcast (the longest-running Latino news and culture program on public radio, anchored by Maria Hinojosa since 1993); (2) Futuro Studios, its Pulitzer Prize-winning podcast and original programming division that produces named shows like Suave, La Brega, Anything for Selena, LOUD, Stars and Stars with Isa, My Divo, Chess Piece, American Futbol, Our Thing, and Reaching Out; and (3) Futuro Investigates, its IRE and Murrow award-winning investigative journalism unit producing documentaries and investigations. On top of these divisions, Futuro+ is a subscription membership program (launched April 2025) offering ad-free listening, bonus content, and early access to shows for two tiers (Futurista and Campeón). The portfolio also includes In The Thick (political podcast), The Network (NPR co-production), La Mentirota (misinformation debunking video series), and the documentary After Uvalde. The organization distributes via PRX, iHeartMedia's My Cultura network, Spotify, and direct-to-consumer through its Supporting Cast platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Latino USA: Peabody Award-winning weekly public radio program and podcast, the longest-running Latino news and cultural program in the nation, anchored by Maria Hinojosa since 1993.
• Futuro Studios
• Futuro Investigates
• In The Thick
• Futuro+

Products and services

• Latino USA Weekly nationally syndicated Peabody Award-winning public radio program and podcast anchored by Maria Hinojosa, airing on ~387 public radio stations and earning 500,000+ weekly listeners. The longest-running Latino news and cultural program in the U.S., serving general audiences seeking authentic coverage of Latino communities.
• Futuro Studios Pulitzer Prize-winning podcast and original programming division of Futuro Media that produces named series such as Suave, La Brega, Anything for Selena, LOUD, Stars and Stars with Isa, My Divo, Chess Piece, The Sum of Us, and Idolo, often in partnership with platforms like Spotify, AppleTV+, SiriusXM, WNYC, WBUR, and Higher Ground Audio.
• Futuro Investigates IRE and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning investigative journalism unit producing original investigations, documentaries (e.g., After Uvalde with PBS Frontline), and podcasts (e.g., USA v. Garcia Luna, The Network, La Mentirota) for general audiences.
• In The Thick Acclaimed political podcast from Futuro Media featuring unfiltered discussions about politics with Maria Hinojosa and co-hosts including Dr. Christina Greer, Paola Ramos, and Judy Reyes; available free on major podcast platforms.
• Futuro+ Subscription Membership Program Direct-to-consumer paid membership program offering ad-free listening, bonus episodes, early access to new series and seasons, and members-only virtual events; billed monthly or annually, delivered via the Supporting Cast podcast feed.
• Suave Podcast Pulitzer Prize-winning (2022 Audio Reporting) podcast series following David Luis \u2018Suave\u2019 Gonzalez through the criminal justice system, juvenile life sentences, and life after incarceration; distributed across podcast platforms and Futuro+.
• La Brega Podcast Critically acclaimed bilingual (English/Spanish) podcast about the Puerto Rican experience, named an Apple Podcasts Essential and recognized by The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic.
• Anything for Selena Podcast Acclaimed narrative podcast about Selena Quintanilla, named one of the best podcasts of the year by The Atlantic, Vulture, Time, and Vogue; produced with WBUR.
• LOUD: The History of Reggaeton Podcast Groundbreaking bilingual podcast series hosted by Ivy Queen tracing reggaeton\u2019s evolution from Black Panamanian roots to global phenomenon, distributed exclusively on Spotify; praised by TIME and The New York Times.
• Stars and Stars with Isa Podcast Award-winning astrology podcast from SiriusXM\u2019s Listen Next program where host Isa Nakazawa reads guests their birth charts; co-produced with SiriusXM and sponsored by State Farm.
• The Sum of Us Podcast Award-winning podcast co-produced with Higher Ground (Barack and Michelle Obama's production company), covering topics tied to community and identity.
• My Divo Podcast Apple Original podcast about Mexican icon Juan Gabriel, exploring queer and Mexican roots through the story of his life and legacy; produced with AppleTV+.
• Idolo: The Ballad of Chalino Sanchez Podcast Podcast produced in partnership with Sonoro about Mexican regional music icon Chalino S\u00e1nchez; winner of two 2023 Ambie Awards.
• The Last Cup Podcast Podcast produced in partnership with NPR, exploring U.S. soccer/football culture and the road to the Men\u2019s FIFA World Cup.
• Chess Piece: The Elian Gonzalez Story Podcast Podcast produced in partnership with iHeartMedia, investigating the Elian Gonzalez custody case and its political and cultural ramifications.
• American Futbol Podcast New podcast exploring the roots, culture, and complex identity of soccer in the United States ahead of the Men\u2019s FIFA World Cup; hosted by award-winning journalist Fernanda Echavarri and part of iHeart\u2019s My Cultura Podcast Network.
• Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York Podcast Eight-episode podcast series hosted by Rosie Perez tracing the origin story of Fania Records and salsa music in New York City from 1964 through the rise of the Fania All Stars.
• The Network Podcast Limited-run investigative podcast co-produced with NPR\u2019s Embedded, tracing the international movement that enabled safe abortions outside clinics through medication.
• Reaching Out Podcast Podcast series about twin brothers searching for their biological father; selected as a 2026 Tribeca Festival Audio Memoir and winner of the 2026 Tribeca Festival Award for Audio Memoir.
• La Mentirota Video Series Video series produced with Factchequeado that debunks viral mis- and disinformation online targeting Latino communities, part of Futuro Investigates\u2019 humanizing reporting.
• After Uvalde: Guns, Grief & Texas Politics Documentary Documentary produced in partnership with PBS Frontline examining the Uvalde school shooting, its aftermath, and Texas gun politics.
• USA v. Garcia Luna Investigative Podcast Investigative podcast series produced by Futuro Investigates covering the trial of former Mexican security chief Genaro Garc\u00eda Luna and his alleged ties to organized crime.
• Individual Donation and Giving Circle Program Philanthropy product: annual giving-circle memberships (Founder's Circle $5,000+/year includes annual lunch with Maria Hinojosa and donor recognition; Familia Circle $1,200\u2013$4,999/year includes plaque and special donor events) plus general tax-deductible donations to support Futuro Media\u2019s independent journalism.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15 million+ annual audience reach
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SiriusXMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2025Partnership with SiriusXM through their Listen Next program to develop diverse audio talent. Co-producing Stars and Stars with Isa podcast. First season won Signal Award for Most Inspirational Podcast.
• SpotifycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 September 2025Exclusive streaming partner for LOUD: The History of Reggaeton. Previously co-produced LOUD as a Spotify Studios production. Working together to bring LOUD back permanently by popular demand.
• iHeartMedia My Cultura Podcast NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 July 2025Latino USA podcast joined iHeartMedia's My Cultura Podcast Network for expanded distribution alongside 60+ other podcasts. PRX continues to distribute the broadcast version via public radio stations while iHeartMedia distributes the podcast version on iHeartRadio and all major podcast platforms.
• PRX (Public Radio Exchange)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 July 2025PRX distributes Latino USA via public radio broadcast to 387 stations across US and Canada. This is the longest-standing distribution partnership for Futuro Media's flagship program.
• NPR EmbeddedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2025Co-production partnership with NPR's Embedded for The Network series about abortion access. Embedded is NPR's home for audio documentaries and recently earned two Peabody Award nominations.
• WNYCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-production partner for La Brega podcast series with WNYC, New York's flagship public radio station.
• WBURminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-production partner for Anything For Selena podcast with WBUR, Boston's NPR affiliate.
• AppleTV+minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApple Original podcast partner for My Divo podcast about Mexican icon Juan Gabriel.
• Higher Ground (Higher Ground Audio)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-production partner for The Sum of Us podcast with Higher Ground Audio.
• SonorominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-production partner for Idolo: The Ballad of Chalino Sánchez podcast, which won two Ambie Awards in 2023.
• The Marshall ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on 48 Hours at El Refugio, a Public Media Journalists Association award-winning piece. This is a collaboration between Latino USA, Futuro Investigates, and The Marshall Project.
• FactchequeadominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Factchequeado for La Mentirota video series to debunk viral mis- and disinformation online targeting Latino communities.
• State FarmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Stars and Stars with Isa podcast through SiriusXM partnership.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ProPublica: The largest US nonprofit investigative newsroom, producing deep investigative journalism across formats. Comparable as a 501(c)(3) investigative journalism organization with foundation funding, though materially larger in scale and resources than Futuro.
• Gimlet Media: A high-profile podcast production company (now part of Spotify) known for narrative and investigative podcasts. Comparable in producing branded podcast IP, though at significantly larger scale and as a commercial entity rather than nonprofit.
• Serial Productions / The New York Times: Producer of the Serial and S-Town podcasts, now part of The New York Times. Comparable in producing award-winning, long-form serialized audio journalism, though significantly better resourced and operating as part of a major commercial news organization.

Direct peers

• Reveal (Center for Investigative Reporting): The investigative journalism arm of the Center for Investigative Reporting, producing the Reveal podcast and investigative reporting. Directly comparable as a nonprofit investigative media organization producing audio journalism with foundation support.
• The Intercept: A nonprofit investigative newsroom producing long-form journalism and podcasts with editorial independence. Comparable model (mission-driven, foundation-funded, multi-format) and similar target audience for accountability journalism.
• Type Investigations: A nonprofit investigative newsroom producing long-form reporting and audio documentaries. Similar in scale, mission, and funding model to Futuro Investigates, with comparable award-winning investigative work.
• The Moth: A nonprofit storytelling organization producing The Moth Radio Hour and The Moth Podcast. Highly comparable as a nonprofit media organization focused on narrative audio storytelling with public radio distribution and event-driven community engagement.
• The Marshall Project: A nonprofit investigative newsroom covering the US criminal justice system. Directly comparable to Futuro as a same-size nonprofit journalism organization that produces award-winning investigative podcasts and has an active collaboration partnership with Futuro (e.g., 48 Hours at El Refugio).
• WNYC Studios: The podcast and public-radio production arm of New York Public Radio, producing shows like Radiolab, On the Media, and co-productions with Futuro (La Brega). Closely aligned in mission and distribution infrastructure (PRX, public radio).

Others

• PRX (Public Radio Exchange): A public radio distribution platform and producer that distributes Latino USA to 387 public radio stations. Directly relevant as a distribution partner and as a peer nonprofit public media organization; not a direct competitor, but a structural enabler of Futuro's radio reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@FuturoMedia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-futuro-media-group
• Instagraminstagram.com/futuromedia
• Xx.com/futuromedia
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheFuturoMediaGroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Futuro Media Group