Q101 (internet radio)

This article is about the former internet radio station. For the Chicago FM radio station currently branded "Q101", see WKQX.

Q101 Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
Broadcast area	Chicago metropolitan area Worldwide
Frequency	Online only
Branding	Q101 Chicago
Programming
Language(s)	English
Format	Modern rock
Ownership
Owner	Broadcast Barter Radio Networks
History
First air date	July 15, 2011 (12 years ago) (2011-07-15)
Last air date	April 18, 2022 (15 months ago) (2022-04-18)

Q101 Chicago is a former commercial internet radio station based in Chicago, Illinois, that operated from June 2011 to April 2022. Owned by Broadcast Barter Radio Networks, the station streamed a modern rock format promoted as a "continuation" of "Q101," the intellectual property and related trademarks of Chicago-licensed terrestrial radio station WKQX (101.1 FM) between 1992 and 2011 (divested from then-station owner Emmis Communications in July 2011). While this station reverted to a modern rock format in 2014 following a subsequent ownership change, it opted to brand instead as "101WKQX".

Q101 Chicago ceased operations after current WKQX owner Cumulus Media repurchased the brand and all related assets in April 2022, restoring the "Q101" brand onto WKQX on May 3, 2022.

History

On June 21, 2011, WKQX (101.1 FM) and sister station WLUP (97.9 FM) were sold by then-owner Emmis Communications to Merlin Media, who had plans to launch an all-news station on WKQX's frequency. ^{[1] [2]} That July 14, the day before Merlin was to take over both stations via a local marketing agreement, Emmis divested the intellectual property of "Q101" – the name, history from 1992 to 2011, logos, social media profiles, trademarks and domain name – to Broadcast Barter Radio Networks, headed by Matt Dubiel and Mike Noonan. ^[3] Consequently, the Internet stream of WKQX ceased as a stream of the station at midnight and began programming separately as a new streaming service, initially without DJs or commercials, under the "Q101.com" name. Thus, July 15, 2011, can be regarded as the "start date" for the current "Q101 Chicago."

Upon taking over WKQX, Merlin Media changed the station's callsign to WWWN, then to WIQI; the WKQX calls were "parked" on a then-silent radio station in Watseka, Illinois owned by Merlin Media's CEO. Then, on April 30, 2012, Merlin Media began leasing WLFM-LP, a low-power analog television channel broadcasting on analog channel 6 but whose aural power is receivable at 87.7 MHz, changed the callsign to WKQX-LP and launched a modern rock format of their own as "Q87.7." ^[4] At the same time, the operators of "Q101 Chicago" began a simulcast of their audio stream at various times on WJJG (1530 AM), an AM radio station licensed to operate during the daytime hours managed by Matt Dubiel, one of the people behind BBRN. ^[5] BBRN then filed a trademark infringement suit against Merlin Media following the launch of "Q87.7"; the case would be settled out of court. ^[6]

WIQI and WLUP were taken over by Cumulus Media in a local marketing agreement announced on January 3, 2014; the modern rock format heard on "Q87.7" would be moved over to WIQI, which concurrently changed back to the WKQX callsign. ^[7] After a month-long simulcast period with WKQX-LP with oblique "101.1 FM" branding, WKQX was relaunched as "101WKQX" on February 17, 2014, ^{[8] [9]} with no connection to "Q101 Chicago" and would not use the "Q101" moniker. ^{[10] [11]}

On April 18, 2022, current WKQX owner Cumulus Media announced it had acquired all trademarks and IP relating to Q101 Chicago, including ownership of the stream, and would be re-placing the brand back onto the 101.1 frequency shortly thereafter. Cumulus Chicago Vice President/Market Manager Marv Nyren reported to Daily Herald journalist Robert Feder that discussions had been ongoing for over four years to reach a deal with Dubiel to reacquire the rights to the brand. ^{[12] [13]}

References

1. Feder, Robert (June 21, 2011). "Q101, Loop deal blows Randy Michaels back into radio business". Time Out Chicago. Archived from the original on June 24, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
2. "Merlin Media launches Chicago's first all-news FM station" from Chicago Tribune, 7/31/2011
3. "Q101's Past, Present & Future To Continue Online At New Q101.com". Chicagoland Radio and Media. July 14, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
4. Feder, Robert (April 24, 2012). "Randy rocks Chicago again: Merlin conjures up new alternative". TimeOut Chicago. Archived from the original on April 28, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
5. "TWO Alternative Rock Radio Stations Launch - WJJG and WKQX". Chicagoland Radio and Media. May 7, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
6. "Q101 Owner Sues Q87.7 Owner Over Trademark Infringement". Chicagoland Radio and Media. July 4, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
7. "Alternative Returns To 101.1 Chicago". RadioInsight. January 10, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
8. "WKQX To Unveil New Identity Monday," from RadioInsight, originally reported 2/12/2014 and updated 2/17/2014
9. @101WKQX (14 February 2014). "We have a new home on Twitter! —> @101WKQX Monday at 101pm, the simulcast ends, and a new era begins. Listen on 87.7? Update your presets!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
10. "Deal for "the Loop" gives radio powerhouse bigger reach in Chicago". Crain's Chicago Business. January 4, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
11. ""Cue" The Alternative, The Matt DuBiel interview". Q101.com, Broadcast Barter Radio Networks. January 17, 2014. Archived from the original on January 29, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
12. Q101 Branding To Return To WKQX Chicago
13. Robservations: Q101 comes home to Cumulus Media’s WKQX; Chicago Reader staff rallies against co-owner; Wall Street Journal hires Tribune’s Lisa Donovan