By Leila Cobo

MIAMI (Billboard) - This fall, George Lopez became the first Latin comedian to host his own late-night talk show on an English-language channel. Last summer, the Spanish-peppered "In the Heights," with its merengue/salsa/bachata score, won a Tony Award for best musical. And Shakira, a Colombian, has a hit on the Billboard 200 with her new album, "She Wolf."

And yet, despite the mainstream attention, Latin music, which a mere three years ago stood as a lone example of success amid declining sales, is enduring its worst downturn in recent memory. As a result, labels and artists are struggling to adapt to a new marketplace where CD sales are no longer the measure of success, revenue-sharing deals are the norm, and every penny counts.

READ MORE: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BH5EC20091218?type=musicNews

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