WERV-FM

Last updated
WERV-FM
WERV 95.9TheRiver logo.png
Broadcast area West Suburban Chicago
Frequency 95.9 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding95.9 The River
Programming
Format Classic hits - Classic rock
Ownership
Owner
WCCQ, WIIL, WJOL, WKRS, WSSR, WXLC, WZSR
History
First air date
February 12, 1961;62 years ago (1961-02-12) [1]
Former call signs
WKKD-FM (1961-1981) [2]
WKKD (6/17/1981-9/22/1981) [3]
WKKD-FM (1981-2001) [3]
Call sign meaning
WERiVer
Technical information [4]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 73171
Class A
ERP 2,850 watts
HAAT 103 meters (338 ft)
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen live
Website 959theriver.com

WERV-FM (95.9 MHz "95.9 The River") is a commercial FM radio station, licensed to Aurora, Illinois, and serving the western suburbs of Chicago. It is owned by Alpha Media, through licensee Alpha Media Licensee LLC. [5] WERV-FM has a classic hits radio format that leans toward classic rock. Its playlist stresses the rock hits of the 1980s, 90s and early 2000s such as Van Halen, U2 and Bon Jovi, but does not play pop and dance artists such as Michael Jackson, Madonna or Whitney Houston, heard on most classic hits stations.

Contents

WERV-FM has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 2,850 watts. The studios and transmitter are on Plain Avenue in Aurora. [6]

History

Early years

This station was the radio dream of WLS Radio announcer, emcee, and engineer Russ Salter, who put this station (then WKKD-FM); along with WKKD AM 1580 on the air. [7] WKKD 1580 debuted on September 21, 1960 and WKKD-FM on February 12, 1961. [7] [1] The station's call sign stood for Kane, Kendall and DuPage, which were the primary counties in its coverage area. [8] [9] Both stations' studios, transmitters and towers were at 1880 Plain Avenue in Aurora. [2] [10] [9]

The station was part of a simulcast with WKKD AM 1580. [11] Bill Blough hosted a country music program in the station's first years. [12] [13] [14] Chicago weathercaster Tom Skilling began his career at WKKD, c. 1966, while he attended High School in Aurora. [15]

The Golden Sounds

By 1968, the simulcast had ended. [16] WKKD-FM was branded "The Golden Sounds". [17] [18] The station aired a Beautiful music format in the 1970s and into the early 1980s. [19] [20] [21]

Adult contemporary era

In late 1983, AM 1580's call sign was changed back to WKKD, and the two stations became part of a partial simulcast. [22] [23] The station aired an adult contemporary format, branded as "classic hits", playing music from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. [23] [24] Throughout the 1980s, WKKD was originally used on a local access channel in Naperville throughout its AC days on Jones Intercable until the Summer of 1988.

In the late 1980s, the station aired a soft AC format, as "Lite Mix", [25] with the branding changing to "K-Lite" in 1989. [26] [27] The station continued to air this format into the early 1990s. [28] [29] [30]

In 1992, WKKD-FM became the flagship radio station for Kane County Cougars baseball. [30]

Oldies era

Station's logo as "Pure Gold 96" WKKD-FM Pure Gold 96 logo.png
Station's logo as "Pure Gold 96"

In 1993, the station adopted an oldies format, and was branded "Pure Gold 96". [31] [32] [33] WKKD-FM was again part of a simulcast with WKKD AM 1580. [31] [32] In 1998 the station changed its branding to "Kool 95.9," while continuing to air an oldies format. [34] [35]

In 2000, the Salter family sold WKKD AM & FM, as well as WRWC in Rockford, Illinois to RadioWorks for $6.5 million, plus $1.5 million in consulting and non-compete agreements. [36] [37]

The River

In 2001 WKKD-FM & AM were sold to NextMedia Group for $3.4 million. [35] [38] On January 25, 2001 the station became "95.9 The River", airing a classic hits format with the slogan "Rock 'N Roll Favorites for the 'Burbs". [39] [40] [41] The station's call sign was changed to WERV-FM shortly thereafter. [3]

On July 15, 2006, the station debuted an HD-2 station branded "The Rapids!", airing a hard rock gold format. [42]

NextMedia sold WERV-FM and their 32 other radio stations to Digity, LLC at a price of $84,975,200; the transaction was consummated on February 10, 2014. [43]

Effective February 25, 2016, Digity and its 124 radio stations were acquired by Alpha Media for $264 million. [44] [45]

Personalities heard on The River include Scott Mackay, Nick Jakusz, Mitch Michaels, Leslie Harris and Scott Childers. [46] [47]

See also

Related Research Articles

WIIL is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Union Grove, Wisconsin. The station serves Kenosha, Racine, the southern suburbs of Milwaukee and the northern suburbs of Chicago. WIIL is owned and operated by Alpha Media and airs an active rock radio format.

WLEY-FM is a radio station licensed to Aurora, Illinois, serving Aurora, Chicago, Naperville, Joliet and much of surrounding Northeast Illinois. Owned by Spanish Broadcasting System, it broadcasts a regional Mexican format branded as La Ley 107.9. WLEY's studios are located in the Crain Communications Building in the Loop, while its transmitter is located in Bloomingdale, with its antenna located atop WSCR's tower.

WKTA is a commercial radio station broadcasting a Spanish tropical format. Licensed to Evanston, Illinois, the station serves the Chicago metropolitan area and is owned by Polnet Communications, Ltd.

WCLR is a radio station located in DeKalb, Illinois. The station is owned by Educational Media Foundation, and airs a Christian contemporary format, as an affiliate of K-Love.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WCPY</span> Polish radio station in Arlington Heights–Chicago, Illinois

WCPY is a radio station licensed to Arlington Heights, Illinois, and serving the Chicago area. WCPY airs a Polish language format during the daytime, as "Polski FM", while airing a Dance Hits format at night known as "Dance Factory FM". During at 5am Sundays this station aired as Viewpoints Radio and Radio Health Journal. Studios are located on Chicago's Northwest Side.

WYHI is a non-commercial FM radio station licensed to Park Forest, Illinois, serving the Southland suburbs of Chicago. It is owned and operated by the Bible Broadcasting Network and it carries a Christian talk and teaching radio format. National religious leaders heard on WYHI include Chuck Swindoll, Joni Eareckson Tada, Adrian Rogers and J. Vernon McGee. The station is listener-supported and seeks donations on the air.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WVLI</span> Oldies radio station in Kankakee, Illinois

WVLI is a radio station broadcasting an oldies format. The station is licensed to Kankakee, Illinois, United States. During its days as WKIF, it also broadcast Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, Notre Dame Football and other sporting events. WVLI is owned by Milner Media Partners, LLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKSI-FM</span> Radio station in Stephens City, Virginia

WKSI-FM is a Contemporary Hit Radio formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Stephens City, Virginia, serving the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. WKSI-FM is owned and operated by iHeartMedia, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WCKG</span> Radio station in Elmhurst, Illinois

WCKG is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Elmhurst, Illinois, and serving the Chicago metropolitan area. It broadcasts a sports radio format and is owned by DuPage Radio, LLC. WCKG is a Fox Sports Radio Network affiliate. It also carries the nationally syndicated Ramsey Show with Dave Ramsey and some brokered programming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KBNN</span> Radio station in Lebanon, Missouri

KBNN is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Established in 1973, the station is licensed to Lebanon, Missouri, United States, and serves the Springfield, Missouri, area. The station is owned by Alpha Media and is licensed to Alpha Media Licensee LLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WSSR</span> Hot adult contemporary radio station in Joliet, Illinois

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 currently 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WRXQ</span> Radio station in Coal City, Illinois

WRXQ is a commercial FM radio station broadcasting an active rock format. Licensed to Coal City, Illinois, it serves the Southland suburbs of the Chicago metropolitan area including Joliet. The station is owned by Walnut Radio Illinois with studios on Caton Farm Road in Crest Hill, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WZSR</span> Radio station in Woodstock, Illinois

WZSR is a radio station broadcasting a hot adult contemporary format. Licensed to Woodstock, Illinois, United States, it serves Chicago's northwest suburbs. The station is currently owned by Alpha Media. The station's studios are located behind McHenry County College in Crystal Lake.

WMCW was a radio station licensed to Harvard, Illinois, United States. The station began broadcasting in 1955 and was originally owned by Esther Blodgett. WMCW was the first station in Illinois owned and operated by a woman. The station's call sign stood for "Milk Capital of the World".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WWHN</span> Radio station in Joliet–Irondale–Chicago, Illinois

WWHN is a radio station licensed in Joliet, Illinois serving the Chicago metropolitan area with an urban adult contemporary format. It operates on AM frequency 1510 kHz and is under ownership of Hawkins Broadcasting Company. Because it shares the same frequency as "clear channel" station WLAC in Nashville, Tennessee, WWHN operates during daytime hours only.

WDND was a radio station licensed to serve the South Bend, Indiana, United States, area. The WDND call letters were the last ones used before the station went silent. While silent, the station call sign was changed to WPNT, although these call letters were never used on-the-air before the station was deleted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKRS</span> Radio station in Waukegan, Illinois

WKRS is a radio station broadcasting a Spanish Sports format. Licensed to Waukegan, Illinois, United States, the station is currently owned by Alpha Media, through licensee Alpha Media Licensee LLC, and features programming from TUDN Radio. Its transmitter is located in Waukegan, while its studios are based in the north end of the Gurnee Mills mall in Gurnee.

WKKD was a radio station licensed to Aurora, Illinois. The station's studios, transmitter and towers were at 1880 Plain Avenue in Aurora.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KJEL</span> Radio station in Lebanon, Missouri

KJEL is a radio station licensed to Lebanon, Missouri, United States that broadcasts a country music format. Established in 1973, the station is owned by Alpha Media, through licensee Alpha Media Licensee LLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WVIV-FM</span> Radio station in Lemont–Chicago, Illinois

WVIV-FM is a Spanish radio station licensed to Lemont, Illinois, serving the Chicago metropolitan area. It is part of the family of Univisión Radio, a division of Univisión Communications. The station's studios are located at 625 North Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, and the transmitter is atop the Oakbrook Terrace Tower in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.

References

  1. 1 2 Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1984 , Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1984. p. B-75. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  2. 1 2 History Cards for WERV-FM, fcc.gov. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 Call Sign History, fcc.gov. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WERV-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  5. ↑ FM Query Results: WERV-FM, fcc.gov. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  6. ↑ Radio-Locator.com/WERV
  7. 1 2 "Salter Communications: Russell G. Salter". Salter Communications. Archived from the original on October 10, 1997. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  8. ↑ "What those letters on the dial mean", Chicago Tribune Magazine . March 4, 1979. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  9. 1 2 Ghrist, John R. (1996). Valley Voices: A Radio History. Crossroads Communications. p. 106-107.
  10. ↑ History Cards for WKKD, fcc.gov. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  11. ↑ 1961-62 Broadcasting Yearbook , Broadcasting, 1961-1962. p. B-51. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  12. ↑ Sachs, Bill. "Folk Talent & Tunes", Billboard . May 16, 1960. p. 47. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  13. ↑ Sachs, Bill. "Folk Talent & Tunes", Billboard . July 10, 1961. p. 8. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  14. ↑ Sinclair, Charles. "Vox Jox", Billboard . December 1, 1962. p. 40. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Tom Skilling" Chicago Tribune . November 9, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  16. ↑ 1968 Broadcasting Yearbook , Broadcasting, 1968. p. B-50. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Salter Broadcasting Company Proudly Present... The Golden Sounds on WKKD-FM", The Southwest Graphic. January 28, 1970. p. 5. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  18. ↑ Draves, William A. "The Beacon", Fond du Lac Reporter . May 26, 1973. p. 1. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Stations, everywhere: a listeners' guide to the AM and FM bands", Chicago Tribune Magazine . March 4, 1979. p. 35. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  20. ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1977 , Broadcasting, 1977. p. C-59. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  21. ↑ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1983 , Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1983. p. B-69. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  22. ↑ Bornstein, Rollye. "Vox Jox", Billboard . December 10, 1983. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  23. 1 2 Chicago Radio Guide , Vol. 1, Issue 1. May 1985. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  24. ↑ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1985 , Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1985. p. B-78. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  25. ↑ Chicagoland Radio Waves , MediaTies. Summer 1988. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  26. ↑ Chicagoland Radio Waves , MediaTies. Summer 1989. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  27. ↑ "WKKD FM 95.9", Radio Chicago. Fall 1989. p. 35. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  28. ↑ Wilhelmson, Brenda. "Radio In Du Page", Chicago Tribune . February 25, 1990. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  29. ↑ "WKKD FM 95.9", Radio Chicago, Spring 1991. p. 53. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  30. 1 2 Kening, Dan. "The Home Team", Chicago Tribune . April 07, 1992. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  31. 1 2 Todorovich, Lisa. "Lettermen Bring Valentine Spirit To Norris", Chicago Tribune . February 12, 1993. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  32. 1 2 "Format Changes", The M Street Journal. Vol. 10, No. 32. August 11, 1993. p. 1. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  33. ↑ "WKKD Pure Gold 96 ON-LINE". WKKD-FM. Archived from the original on December 28, 1996. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  34. ↑ "Welcome to the new KOOL 95.9 web site!". WKKD-FM. Archived from the original on May 22, 1998. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  35. 1 2 "Elsewhere", The M Street Journal. Vol. 18, No. 01. January 4, 2001. p. 10. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  36. ↑ Application Search Details fcc.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  37. ↑ Kirk, Jim. "Rockford Firm Adds To Its Reach", Chicago Tribune . July 28, 1999. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  38. ↑ Application Search Details fcc.gov. Accessed January 3, 2014
  39. ↑ "Chicago Media Headlines - January". DJHeadlines.com. January 24–26, 2001. Archived from the original on October 31, 2005. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  40. ↑ Devine, Cathy (2002-2003). The M-Street Radio Directory , 11th Edition. p. 183. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  41. ↑ "95-9 The River". 959theriver.fm. Archived from the original on January 3, 2002. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  42. ↑ "WERV To Debut HD-2 Station "The Rapids" At Listener Party", All Access Music Group. July 11, 2006. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  43. ↑ "NextMedia Radio Stations Now Owned And Operated By Digity", Chicagoland Radio and Media. February 10, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  44. ↑ "Alpha Media Closes Purchase of Digity Radio Stations!", Alpha Media. February 25, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  45. ↑ "With Digity, Alpha Is Now Fourth-Largest Radio Co.", InsideRadio. February 26, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  46. ↑ "Show Schedule", 95.9 The River. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  47. ↑ "Major Change/Switch At WERV-FM & WRXQ-FM", Chicagoland Radio and Media. September 8, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2018.

41°46′08″N88°16′01″W / 41.769°N 88.267°W / 41.769; -88.267

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.