Newsmax Buys Miami AM Stations WAQI and WQBA

The conservative network will enter radio ownership by purchasing two Spanish-language AM outlets from Latino Media Network.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Latin

Newsmax Buys Miami AM Stations WAQI and WQBA

Live Poll

Do you trust local radio news to stay fair when stations change owners?

Newsmax has agreed to buy Miami AM stations WAQI 710 and WQBA 1140 from Latino Media Network. Newsmax Radio will pay $1.26 million for WAQI and $540,000 for WQBA.

Why it matters

The deal marks Newsmax's first move into radio ownership, extending its audio reach in a market where its content has been streamed as audio. For Miami listeners, it changes who controls two local AM frequencies that have recently scaled back local programming.

The two stations were priced at $1.26 million and $540,000, figures set against LMN's $60 million purchase of eighteen stations from TelevisaUnivision in 2022. The closing timeline and any remaining approvals have not been disclosed.

The players

Newsmax

Newsmax is a conservative cable and streaming news network that provides audio streaming of its television content and is now entering radio ownership.

Latino Media Network (LMN)

Latino Media Network is a broadcast company that acquired eighteen stations from TelevisaUnivision in 2022 and is now selling the Miami AM outlets.

The details

WQBA ended its local programming in July 2025 and most recently carried the Office of Cuba Broadcasting's Radio Marti. WAQI was set to drop its Spanish conservative talk programming last December but retained a portion of it. Newsmax also produces the syndicated Rob Carson Show, fed live to affiliates from 12 to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

2022: LMN bought eighteen stations from TelevisaUnivision for $60 million.
July 2025: WQBA ended its local programming.
December (prior year): WAQI was set to drop its Spanish conservative talk programming.
November 6, 2026: Newsmax's purchase of WAQI and WQBA was reported.

Market Landscape

LMN assembled its Spanish-language radio holdings through a $60 million purchase of eighteen TelevisaUnivision stations in 2022. The Newsmax transaction shows that portion of that portfolio is now being sold off in Miami, shifting the local Spanish-language AM market toward a new conservative-media owner.

Listeners of WAQI 710 and WQBA 1140 in Miami may see programming change once Newsmax takes control of the stations. The extraction does not specify when the changes will take effect or what content will replace the current Spanish-language lineup.

The takeaway

Local radio ownership can shift quickly through single transactions, so Miami listeners who rely on these AM frequencies should watch for programming announcements once the sale closes.