WQBA 1140 AM: Miami's Spanish Soft Adult Contemporary Voice
Serving the vibrant Miami metropolitan area, WQBA 1140 AM, branded as "El Pulso De Miami," is a prominent Spanish-language radio station. Currently broadcasting a soft adult contemporary format, the station provides a melodic backdrop for the South Florida community while maintaining a rich history of news and sports programming.
The station is licensed to Miami, Florida, and is owned by the Latino Media Network. While it was previously operated by TelevisaUnivision's Uforia Audio Network under a local marketing agreement, it now stands as a key asset in the Latino Media Network's portfolio.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Frequency: 1140 kHz (AM)
- Format: Spanish soft adult contemporary
- Ownership: Latino Media Network
- Power: 50,000 watts (Day) / 10,000 watts (Night)
- Programming: Features content from TUDN Radio
- Facility ID: 73912
Station History and Evolution
The station first began broadcasting in 1952 under the call sign WMIE. By 1976, it had established itself as a powerhouse in the region; The Miami Herald reported at the time that the station, which featured news programs hosted by Emilio Milián, held the largest audience of any station in the Miami metropolitan area.
Over the decades, WQBA transitioned through various programming phases. In December 2016, Univision announced that the station would become a charter affiliate of Univision Deportes Radio, a Spanish-language sports network that officially launched in April 2017.
A significant shift in ownership occurred in June 2022, when TelevisaUnivision announced the sale of 18 radio stations, including WQBA, to the Latino Media Network for $60 million. This transaction was approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in November 2022 and finalized on December 30, 2022. Following the sale, Univision continued to program the station for approximately one year via a local marketing agreement.
The most recent evolution occurred on July 30, 2025, when WQBA transitioned its format from Spanish news/talk to its current Spanish soft adult contemporary music style.
Technical Specifications and Signal Management
WQBA operates as a Class B station. Because 1140 AM is a clear-channel frequency—a frequency reserved for high-power stations to provide wide-area coverage—WQBA must manage its signal to avoid interference with Class A stations, specifically XEMR-AM in Apodaca, Mexico, and WRVA in Richmond, Virginia.
To prevent interference with the skywave signals (radio waves that bounce off the ionosphere to travel long distances) of these Class A stations, WQBA utilizes a highly directional array and reduces its power significantly during nighttime hours.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Call Sign | WQBA |
| Frequency | 1140 kHz |
| Daytime Power | 50,000 Watts |
| Nighttime Power | 10,000 Watts |
| FCC Class | B |
| Language | Spanish |
| Current Format | Soft Adult Contemporary |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns WQBA 1140 AM?
The station is owned by the Latino Media Network, which acquired it from TelevisaUnivision as part of a larger 18-station deal completed in December 2022.
What is the current music format of WQBA?
As of July 30, 2025, WQBA broadcasts a Spanish soft adult contemporary format.
Why does the station reduce power at night?
WQBA must reduce power and use a directional array at night to avoid interfering with the skywave signals of Class A stations on the same frequency, such as WRVA in Virginia and XEMR-AM in Mexico.
What was the station's original call sign?
The station first aired in 1952 under the call sign WMIE.
Does WQBA provide sports programming?
Yes, the station features programming from TUDN Radio.