News traveled quickly on a quiet Sunday: Pepe Domingo Castaño Solar, longtime presenter of Tiempo de Juego on the COPE Network, had died at the Zarzuela Hospital in Madrid at age 80. The network he helped shape acknowledged the loss with a simple, poignant note, saying Pepe left with his people around him.
For those who worked beside him, the moment carried a heavy weight. The COPE family has long felt like a close-knit crew rather than a workplace, and the passing brings a solemn sense of farewell to a mentor and friend. Members of the Tiempo de Juego team paused during weekend broadcasts on COPE’s Weekend Morning to remember the man who guided and inspired them. Colleagues spoke with a mix of reverence and gratitude about a career built on courage, clarity, and connection. A veteran broadcaster recalled witnessing a generation of radio giants in the same newsroom, a moment that helped shape his own ambitions and the program they all shared.
New, different and modern radio
A Spanish sports commentator paid tribute to Pepe Domingo Castaño by highlighting how his approach to radio transformed the craft. The tribute noted that Pepe’s style fused advertising with information in a way that felt seamless and natural, a blend that kept listeners informed while staying deeply engaged. In remarks delivered at COPE, they described him as a radio genius and a master of communication, someone who showed how to live with energy and purpose. The tribute emphasized that a familiar refrain, when heard, signaled a presence that listeners felt close to. It was a style that made distance disappear and connection feel immediate. The message was clear: Pepe left the airwaves on his own terms, full of life, enthusiasm, and a hopeful energy that continues to inspire.
In reflecting on his impact, colleagues stressed that Pepe Domingo Castaño did not retire from radio. He carried on with work until the end, leaving an enduring imprint on the Tiempo de Juego team and on the many listeners who followed the show daily. His influence extended beyond the studio, shaping how audiences perceived sports commentary, news integration, and human warmth on air. His legacy is not just in moments of triumph but in the everyday practice of radio that invites participation, trust, and a sense of shared experience.
As the tributes continue to circulate, the focus remains on the enduring standard Pepe set. He demonstrated that radio could be both informative and intimate, brisk and thoughtful, competitive and compassionate. The presence of his voice is described as a constant reminder of what it means to do radio with honesty, heart, and a clear sense of purpose. Those who knew him best say his guidance will continue to guide the team, and his memory will remain a beacon for listeners who found comfort and excitement in his broadcasts.