DMC Broadcasting Inc was founded by Darren M Cordova. His ambitions for radio broadcasting are rooted in the strong cultural ties and love for music. In 1997, it was a sad day in Taos when the people in the community learned that 1340 AM had gone off the air with no plans to return. Concerned about the void in Spanish radio Darren immediately investigated the procedures to apply for the license with the FCC and formally applied for the license in November of 1997. The FCC told Darren, that there was a “freeze” on all AM radio station licenses. But he did not give up. Darren applied for a FM license and was told that there was also a freeze on all FM licenses and that he would be notified when the “freeze” would be lifted. His attorney advised him that he would have to compete with many giant corporations for the radio station licenses once the FCC freeze lifted. Darren was very disappointed and felt that the uniqueness of Spanish radio programming in Taos, New Mexico would be forever lost.
Darren continued to pursue this endeavor until one day in 2001, he was asked by a Alpine Broadcasting of Idaho to manage and program their stations in Taos. Alpine Broadcasting owned two FM stations but they were not serving the Hispanic market. Darren immediately thanked the corporation officer but insisted that his dream was to own a radio station in Taos. The corporation officer smiled at Darren and said, “It’s very expensive to own a radio station” “you have to have a tremendous amount of financial backing”. He also said to Darren, “I really don’t believe that you have what it takes to own a radio station”.
Darren left this meeting feeling down and thinking maybe it was impossible, for a local guy with no financial backing and no college education to achieve this goal of owning a radio station.
Darren knowing the tough challenge ahead of him began to put a business plan together to purchase these radio stations. Through sleepless nights and commitment, a purchase agreement was executed and Darren Cordova was the first native Taoseno to own two FM radio stations in Taos, New Mexico.
Darren Cordova formed DMC Broadcasting Inc. and began operating on July 16, 2001. He immediately switched the format to Spanish on KXMT. Many experts in the industry advised Darren that a 24-hour Spanish radio station in Taos would not survive financially. Against all odds, Darren made history in Taos by making KXMT Taos’ first 24-hour Spanish radio station.
Since its change to Spanish programming, KXMT has been consistently ranked number one in listeners according to Arbitron ratings. KXMT consists of a unique blend of New Mexico Spanish music, traditional Mariachi music, regional Mexican music, and Tejano music. This blend along with community news and issues proves to be a winning combination for KXMT 99.1 FM. 
Sister station KKIT 99.9 FM Angel Fire and 100.7 FM Taos serves Colfax County and the Enchanted Circle with an adult contemporary rock format.
In 2004, Darren’s dream of providing unique programming for Hispanics took a new turn when he applied for an upgrade to KXMT. This upgrade would make KXMT a full C-Class FCC license (100,000 watts). This upgrade, which included the nearly impossible task of constructing a 150 foot tower at San Antonio Peak, now serves Northern New Mexico as well as Southern Colorado. In Alamosa and Monte Vista, Colorado, KXMT is also the first 24-hour Spanish radio station in their history. The listeners in Colorado have continuously praised Darren Cordova for his commitment to the Hispanic culture by providing Spanish radio programming.
In 2005, the FCC freeze was lifted and the original FM and AM licenses that Darren had applied for since 1997 became available through an FCC auction. Darren felt that he did not need additional stations however because corporate competition could jeopardize the stability of a small broadcasting company, Darren’s company, DMC Broadcasting began developing business and financial strategies to acquire the licenses from the FCC. DMC Broadcasting was the successful bidder for both licenses. DMC Broadcasting, a corporation in which Darren is 100% shareholder, now owns four radio stations in Taos serving Northern New Mexico. The four stations will consist of the following: KXMT 99.1 FM (Spanish programming), KKTC 99.9 FM/100.7 FM (Adult contemporary Rock), KKIT 95.9 FM (True Country music), and KVOT 1340 AM (News Talk Radio). The new stations will be up and running early Fall of 2005. Darren is excited since he will now target four major audiences in northern New Mexico. Darren Cordova often times says, joking, “I only wanted one radio station. How I ended up with four is beyond me” It proves that with determination and commitment, nothing is impossible once you set your mind to it”.
Darren’s goals are to continue his business career and be an asset to his community through broadcasting. Darren is motivated by the fact that the success of his business depends on the success of his advertisers. “I really feel my advertisers are counting on me and my staff to enhance their business though advertising”. Darren says he is deeply committed to the economic growth and stability of Taos and surrounding areas.
