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Feliz cumpleanos, Horizonte

Horizonte, the Latino cousin of KAET Channel 8’s long-running Horizon show, turned five in mid September.

Horizonte, the Latino cousin of KAET Channel 8’s long-running Horizon show, turned five in mid September.

The premiere air date was significant because that’s near 16 de Septiembre, which is Mexico’s Independence Day, and also the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Prior to Horizonte, the only other Latino-themed, English-language, locally originated TV show was Este Eres Tu, which ran for 25 years on KPHO Channel 5.

That show was hosted first by TV journalist Carlos Jurado, then Lucia Madrid. The set was minimal, the format “talking heads,” but it was about the only time Latinos saw themselves on local TV.

Carlos recalls that his fondest Este moment was interviewing Chicano civil-rights advocate Cesar Chavez.

When Este Eres Tu ended, the growing percentage of Latinos in the Phoenix metro population just saw other Latinos on TV news shows or the local newspapers, mostly in stories on crime or agriculture.

Then Greg Gizi came in as KAET’s new general manager in 2002. Gizi saw a gap in local English-language Latino television, and created Horizonte. 

Jose Cardenas, chairman of the Phoenix law firm Lewis and Roca, has hosted Horizonte since the show’s inception.

Cardenas says the show’s greatest value is inviting Latinos from all socio-economic levels and all walks of life to share their opinions and information.

“There are two many stereotypes about Latinos out there, and Horizonte truly reflects the diversity that we represent,” he says.