WKKD (AM)

Last updated
WKKD
Frequency 1580 AM (kHz)
Programming
Format Defunct
History
First air date
September 21, 1960 [1]
Last air date
November 29, 2008 [2]
Former call signs
WKKD (1960–1973) [3]
WFVR (1973–1983) [3] [4]
Call sign meaning
WKane, Kendall and DuPage [5] [6]
Technical information
Facility ID 72077
Class B
Power 170 watts day [7]
200 watts night [8]

WKKD (1580 AM) was a radio station licensed to Aurora, Illinois. The station's studios, transmitter and towers were at 1880 Plain Avenue in Aurora. [3]

Contents

History

Early history

The station was originally owned by Chicago area radio announcer, emcee, and engineer Russell G. Salter, and began broadcasting on September 21, 1960. [9] [1] The station initially ran 250 watts during daytime hours only with a three tower directional pattern towards Aurora. [10] [3] [11]

The station began simulcasting on 95.9 WKKD-FM on February 12, 1961. [12] Bill Blough hosted a country music program in the station's first years. [13] [14] [15] Chicago weathercaster Tom Skilling began his career at WKKD, c. 1966, while he attended High School in Aurora. [16] By 1968, the simulcast had ended. [12] WKKD 1580 would air an easy listening format. [11]

WFVR

In 1973, the station's callsign was changed to WFVR, standing for "Fox Valley Radio", and the station adopted a country music format. [10] [17]

Adult contemporary era

By 1979, the station had adopted an adult contemporary-MOR format. [18] [19]

In 1983, the station's callsign was changed back to WKKD and it became part of a partial simulcast with WKKD-FM, while continuing to air an adult contemporary format. [4] [20] [21] On October 3, 1986, the station was granted a construction permit to broadcast during nighttime hours. [22]

Pure Gold

By 1988, the station had begun airing an oldies format branded as "Pure Gold". [23] [24] By 1989, the station had begun nighttime operations. [24] [25] In 1993, WKKD-FM began simulcasting the oldies format of WKKD. [26] [27]

Real Country

In March 1995, AM 1580 adopted a country music format, airing Satellite Music Network's "Real Country" format. [28] [29]

Viva 1580

On July 1, 1996, the station adopted a Spanish language Tejano music format as "Viva 1580". [30] [31]

CNN Headline News

In 1997, the station adopted an all-news format, airing the national audio feed of CNN Headline News. [32] [33] 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. [34] In 2001, the station was sold to NextMedia Group, along with WKKD-FM, for $3.4 million. [35]

Kovas Communications ownership

In early 2002, the station was sold to Kovas Communications for $825,000, and it began simulcasting the ethnic programming of WONX. [36] [37] [38] [39] In October 2004, the station began airing talk shows related to health and fitness, becoming a full-time "Health Radio" outlet February 1, 2005. [40] This format would later be simulcast on 1600 WMCW. [41]

End of operations

In 2007, Kovas Communications applied with the FCC to move WKKD to Silvis, Illinois. [42] In February 2008, the station was granted a construction permit to move WKKD to Silvis, Illinois, and increase its power to 1,000 watts during the day and 1,400 watts at night. [43] On November 29, 2008, the station was taken off the air and on April 10, 2009, Kovas Communications surrendered the station's license to the FCC. [2] [25] [44] WKKD's license was surrendered, along with 1600 WMCW's and 1600 WCGO's, in order to enable 1590 WONX (now WCGO) to increase its daytime power from 3,500 watts to 7,000 watts. [45]

The Federal Communications Commission cancelled the station’s license on April 20, 2009. [46]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WLKQ-FM</span> Radio station in Buford, Georgia

WLKQ-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Buford, Georgia, and serving Metro Atlanta. It is owned by Davis Broadcasting and airs a Regional Mexican radio format. The programming is simulcast on 107.1 WTSH-FM in Aragon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WCFS-FM</span> All-news radio station in Elmwood Park–Chicago, Illinois

WCFS-FM – branded Newsradio 105.9 WBBM – is a commercial all-news radio station licensed to the Chicago suburb of Elmwood Park, Illinois. Owned by Audacy, Inc., the station services the Chicago metropolitan area, operating as a full-time simulcast of WBBM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPPN</span> Radio station in Des Plaines, Illinois

WPPN is a radio station licensed to Des Plaines, Illinois, that targets the Chicago metropolitan area. WPPN broadcasts a Spanish AC format. WPPN is owned by TelevisaUnivision through its Uforia Audio Network subsidiary. The station's studios are located at 625 North Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, and its transmitter is located in Arlington Heights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WLEY-FM</span> Regional Mexican radio station in Aurora–Chicago, Illinois

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WNTD</span> Relevant Radio station in Chicago

WNTD is a radio station licensed to Chicago, Illinois. It is owned by Relevant Radio, Inc., simulcasting a Catholic talk and teaching radio format with WKBM in Sandwich, Illinois. The stations' programming comes from the Relevant Radio network.

<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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WRVV</span> Radio station in Pennsylvania, United States

WRVV is a commercial FM radio station licensed to serve Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. and broadcasts a classic rock format. The station's studios and offices are located at 600 Corporate Circle in Harrisburg.

KMES is a non-commercial radio station licensed to Ogden, Utah, and serving the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. The station is owned by El Sembrador Ministries and carries Spanish-language Catholic radio programming from its ESNE Radio network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KEPN</span> ESPN Radio affiliate in Lakewood, Colorado

KEPN is a commercial radio station licensed to Lakewood, Colorado, and serving the Denver metropolitan area. It is owned by Salt Lake City–based Bonneville International with studios and located in Greenwood Village, and the transmitter is in Lakewood.

WERV-FM is a commercial 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. WERV-FM has a classic alternative radio format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WAWE</span> Air 1 radio station in Glendale Heights, Illinois

WAWE is a radio station broadcasting a Christian worship music format, licensed to Glendale Heights, Illinois, United States. The station serves the Chicago Metropolitan Area and is owned by the Educational Media Foundation, broadcasting its Air1 format.

<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 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">WCGO</span> Radio station in Illinois, United States

WCGO is a commercial radio station licensed to Evanston, Illinois, and serving the Chicago metropolitan area's northern suburbs. The station is owned by Jorge Rodriquez through licensee Ambiente Clasico LLC. WCGO has a brokered programming radio format where hosts buy time on the station and may use their shows to advertise their services or seek donations. On weekday mornings, the station airs Korean-language Christian radio programming. Russian language shows are heard in the afternoon. Evenings and weekends, WCGO airs brokered talk and ethnic shows. Overnight, it carries the nationally syndicated Coast to Coast AM with George Noory from Premiere Networks.

KZNS is an AM commercial radio station in Salt Lake City, Utah. It airs a Sports radio format and is owned by Jazz Communications LLC. Programming is simulcast on co-owned KZNS-FM 97.5, licensed to Coalville, Utah. On weekdays, KZNS-AM-FM have local hosts discussing Salt Lake City and national sports. Nights and weekends, programming is supplied by Fox Sports Radio. KZNS-AM-FM are the flagship radio stations for the Utah Jazz basketball team, the Utah Hockey Club of the NHL, the Salt Lake Bees Minor League Baseball team, Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer, Utah Royals FC of the National Women's Soccer League, and Utah State Aggies football and men's basketball of the Mountain West Conference. When multiple games are occurring simultaneously, the AM and FM signals will air different live sports.

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.

WCGO was a radio station licensed to Chicago Heights, Illinois, United States. The station ran 1,000 watts during the day and 23 watts at night.

WNVR is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Vernon Hills, Illinois, and serving the Chicago metropolitan area. WNVR is one of eight stations owned by Polnet Communications. It simulcasts a Polish language radio format with sister station WRDZ. The studios and offices are located at 3656 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

WEEF is a radio station licensed to Deerfield, Illinois. The station broadcasts a multicultural ethnic format and is owned by Polnet Communications, Ltd.

<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 owned by TelevisaUnivision. The station is a part of TelevisaUnivision's Uforia Audio Network brand. 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 1961-62 Broadcasting Yearbook , Broadcasting, 1961-1962. p. B-51. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  2. 1 2 Application Search Details - BLSTA-20090109ASX, fcc.gov. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 History Cards for WKKD, fcc.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  4. 1 2 Bornstein, Rollye. "Vox Jox", Billboard . December 10, 1983. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  5. ↑ "What those letters on the dial mean", Chicago Tribune Magazine . March 4, 1979. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  6. ↑ Peters, S.J. "Call letters take on intended meanings to project images", The Life . January 7, 1987. p. 1.
  7. ↑ "WKKD AURORA, IL BL-19891004AD 1580 kHz", fcc.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  8. ↑ "WKKD AURORA, IL BL-19891004AD 1580 kHz", fcc.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Salter Communications: Russell G. Salter". Salter Communications. Archived from the original on October 10, 1997. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  10. 1 2 Ghrist, John R. (1996). Valley Voices: A Radio History. Crossroads Communications. p. 106-107.
  11. 1 2 "WKKD Local Rate Card #7", WKKD. August 1, 1970. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  12. 1 2 1968 Broadcasting Yearbook , Broadcasting, 1968. p. B-50. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  13. ↑ Sachs, Bill. "Folk Talent & Tunes", Billboard . May 16, 1960. p. 47. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  14. ↑ Sachs, Bill. "Folk Talent & Tunes", Billboard . July 10, 1961. p. 8. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  15. ↑ Sinclair, Charles. "Vox Jox", Billboard . December 1, 1962. p. 40. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Tom Skilling" Chicago Tribune . November 9, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  17. ↑ 1974 Broadcasting Yearbook , Broadcasting, 1974. p. B-61. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Stations, everywhere: a listeners' guide to the AM and FM bands", Chicago Tribune Magazine . March 4, 1979. p. 37. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  19. ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1979 , Broadcasting, 1979. p. C-62. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  20. ↑ Chicago Radio Guide , Vol. 1, Issue 1. May 1985. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  21. ↑ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1985 , Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1985. p. B-78. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Actions", Broadcasting . October 20, 1986. p. 80. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  23. ↑ Chicagoland Radio Waves , MediaTies. Summer 1988. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  24. 1 2 "WKKD AM 1580", Radio Chicago. Fall 1989. p. 18. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  25. 1 2 Public Notice Comment - BL-19891004AD, fcc.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  26. ↑ Todorovich, Lisa. "Lettermen Bring Valentine Spirit To Norris", Chicago Tribune . February 12, 1993. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Format Changes", The M Street Journal. Vol. 10, No. 32. August 11, 1993. p. 1. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  28. ↑ Nidetz, Steve. "Reporters Have New Assignments On Ch. 2 Mission", Chicago Tribune . March 26, 1995. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 12, No. 11. March 15, 1995. p. 1. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  30. ↑ "What's New @ WKKD Salter Broadcasting". Salter Broadcasting. Archived from the original on April 14, 1997. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Viva 1580 Hot Tejano Radio". WKKD. Archived from the original on April 14, 1997. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  32. ↑ "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 14, No. 34. August 27, 1997. p. 1. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  33. ↑ "WKKD AM 1580". WKKD. Archived from the original on October 10, 1997. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  34. ↑ Kirk, Jim. "Rockford Firm Adds To Its Reach", Chicago Tribune . July 28, 1999. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Elsewhere", The M Street Journal. Vol. 18, No. 01. January 4, 2001. p. 10. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  36. ↑ Application Search Details - BAL-20011004AAN, fcc.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Radio Station WKKD (AM) Asset Purchase Agreement", fcc.gov. September 2001. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  38. ↑ Duncan, James H., Jr. (2002). Duncan's Radio Market Guide . p. 64. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  39. ↑ Knopper, Steve. "Station to Station", Chicago Tribune. April 14, 2002. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  40. ↑ "Radio station rolls out all-health format", United Press International. February 1, 2005. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  41. ↑ "Media Briefing for Wednesday, May 7, 2008", Thirteen. May 7, 2008. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  42. ↑ Mayeroff, Bill. "Health Radio files for move to Silvis", The Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus . December 18, 2007. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  43. ↑ Burke, David. "Chicago radio station may move to Silvis", Quad-City Times . February 25, 2008. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  44. ↑ "Call Letter Changes", Medium Wave News. Volume 55, No. 2. May/June 2009. p. 11. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  45. ↑ "WCGO Goes Dark, WONX -- Now WCGO -- Ups Power", All Access Music Group. April 13, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  46. ↑ "License Cancelled". Federal Communications Commission Licensing and Management System. April 20, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
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.