Radio Unica to Buy Los Angeles’ KBLA-AM

Radio Unica, the nation’s only Spanish-language radio network, has agreed to acquire Los Angeles’ KBLA-AM (1580) from Sinclair Broadcast Group of Baltimore for $21 million. The agreement, coming on the eve of soccer’s World Cup competition, would fill a huge hole for Miami-based Radio Unica, which has exclusive Spanish-language radio rights to the monthlong tournament. Its only other Southern California station, KVCA-AM (670) in Simi Valley, is a 5,000-watt station that cannot be heard in much of Los Angeles, the nation’s largest and most lucrative radio market. KBLA, which broadcasts in Korean, has a 50,000-watt signal that can be heard in three counties. The purchase, which requires approval by the Federal Communications Commission, would increase closely held Radio Unica’s network to six stations and more than 50 affiliates.