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| Broadcast area | Joliet, Illinois |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 98.3 MHz |
| Branding | Free Country 98.3 & 102.3 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Country |
| Affiliations | Westwood One |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WERV-FM, WJOL, WKRS, WSSR, WXLC, WZSR | |
| History | |
First air date | January 28, 1976 [1] |
| Technical information [2] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 10677 |
| Class | A |
| ERP | 3,000 watts |
| HAAT | 142 meters (466 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 41°26′7.1″N88°11′0.2″W / 41.435306°N 88.183389°W |
| Repeater(s) | 102.3 WXLC (Waukegan) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | freecountrychicago.com |
WCCQ (98.3 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Crest Hill, Illinois, United States, it serves the Joliet area. The station is owned by Alpha Media.
WCCQ began broadcasting on January 28, 1976, and originally aired an oldies format. [1] [3] In February 1979, the station adopted a beautiful music format. [3] [4]
WCCQ adopted a country format in 1984, and was branded "Q-Country". [5] [3] Bob Zak was the station's first morning host. [5] Other announcers included Mark Edwards, Ted Clark, Larry Watts, Mike Baker, Jim Beedle, Bill Fortune, and Jim Felbinger. [3]
The current lineup features Roy & Carol in the morning (since 1994), Geno Brien middays (former morning show host of 95.9 the River) and Todd Boss (The Bossman) doing afternoons. Other weekend and fill-in personalities include Rich Renik (from WMAQ and WUSN), Brandon Jones, Jillian, and Laura Vaughn. In April 2011, it became one of the two Chicago-area stations to broadcast NASCAR Cup Series races.
In January 2018, after recording a 0.5 audience share on the latest Nielsen Audio ratings (tied for 30th in the Chicago market), WCCQ shifted to a gold-based traditional country format—featuring an emphasis on songs from artists active during the 1990s and early 2000s. This change differentiates WCCQ from the mainstream lean of its competitors WEBG and WUSN. [6]
On May 24, 2024, WCCQ rebranded as "Free Country 98.3 & 102.3", adding a simulcast on WXLC 102.3 FM Waukegan. [7]
WCCQ's studios are located in Crest Hill, and its transmitter is in Channahon, Illinois.
WUSN is a country radio station in Chicago, Illinois. Owned by Audacy, Inc. and branded as "US✶99", it is based at Two Prudential Plaza in the Loop, and transmits from atop the John Hancock Center with an HD Radio signal.
WMAY is a commercial AM radio station in Springfield, Illinois. The station is owned by Mid-West Family Broadcasting and the license is held by Long Nine, Inc. WMAY's transmitter, radio studios and offices are all located on North Third Street in Riverton, Illinois.
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WOAM is a Peoria, Illinois radio station that broadcasts an adult standards/MOR format.
WFLS-FM is a country formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Fredericksburg, Virginia, serving Central Virginia, Northern Virginia, and Southern Maryland. WFLS-FM is owned and operated by Alpha Media.
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WQNT is a commercial radio station in Charleston, South Carolina. It is owned by Kirkman Broadcasting and it airs a classic hits radio format, playing songs from the 1970s and 80s. The playlist leans toward classic rock, only playing a few pop, ballad and dance titles per hour. The studios are on Markfield Drive in the West Ashley neighborhood of Charleston.
WSSR is a radio station broadcasting a hot adult contemporary format. Licensed to Joliet, Illinois, United States, it serves South and West Suburban Chicago. The station is owned by Alpha Media, through licensee Alpha Media Licensee LLC. WSSR's studios are located in Crest Hill, and its transmitter is in Homer Glen, Illinois. Using the slogan Star 96-7, the station features a playlist of new pop and pop-rock artists, 2000s and 1990s music.
KDUT is a radio station broadcasting a regional Mexican format. Licensed to Randolph, Utah, United States, the station serves the Salt Lake City area. The station is owned by Alpha Media.
WKSQ is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Ellsworth, Maine, and serving the Bangor metropolitan area. The station broadcasts an adult contemporary radio format, switching to Christmas music for part of November and December. WKSQ is owned by Blueberry Broadcasting.
WLLI is an FM radio station broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Munfordville, Kentucky, United States, the station serves the Bowling Green area. The station is currently owned by Royse Radio, Inc.
WGKC is a country music radio station licensed to Mahomet, Illinois and broadcasting in the Champaign-Urbana, Illinois radio market. The station is owned by SJ Broadcasting, LLC.
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