WLEY-FM

Last updated
WLEY-FM
WLEY-FM La Ley 107.9 logo.svg
Broadcast area
Frequency 107.9 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingLa Ley 107.9
Programming
Format Regional Mexican
Subchannels HD2: Simulcast of WSKQ-FM
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
 1965 (as WMRO-FM) [1]
Former call signs
  • WMRO-FM (1965–1969) [1]
  • WAUR (1969 [1] –1988) [2]
  • WYSY-FM (1988–1997) [2]
Call sign meaning
"la ley" (Spanish word for "the law")
Technical information [3]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 71282
Class B
ERP 21,000 watts
HAAT 232 meters (761 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 41°56′3.1″N88°4′22.2″W / 41.934194°N 88.072833°W / 41.934194; -88.072833
Repeater(s) See § Boosters
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen live
Website laley1079.lamusica.com

WLEY-FM (107.9 MHz) 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.

Contents

History

WMRO-FM

The station was first licensed in 1965, and held the call sign WMRO-FM. [1] It was the FM sister station to AM 1280 WMRO. Its transmitter was located atop Aurora's Leland Tower, and it had an ERP of 3,600 watts. [1] The station broadcast a beautiful music format. [4] WMRO-FM was owned by Vincent Cofey and Benjamin Oswalt. [1] [5] In 1967, Vincent Cofey purchased controlling interest in the station for $35,000. [5]

WAUR

In 1969, the station's call sign was changed to WAUR and its ERP was increased to 31,200 watts. [1] In 1973, it was sold to Stevens Communications for $343,000. [6] In 1975, WAUR's transmitter was moved to the eastern fringes of Aurora, and its ERP was increased to 50,000 watts at a HAAT of 488 feet. [1] In the late 1970s, the station aired an adult contemporary format, playing music from the 1960s and 1970s. [7] In the 1980s, WAUR was branded "Gold Rock", playing oldies of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, along with some currents. [8] [9] [10] [11] In 1986, the station was sold to Midwest Broadcasting for $4 million. [12] [13] The following year, WAUR and WMRO were sold to Beasley Broadcast Group for $8.7 million. [14] Beasley Broadcast Group had been a minority owner of Midwest Broadcasting. [12]

WYSY-FM

In March 1988, the station's call letters were changed to WYSY-FM. [2] WYSY-FM aired an adult contemporary format and was branded "Y-108" with the slogan "Doin' It In The 'Burbs!". [15] In December 1989, its AM sister station WMRO became WYSY, simulcasting Y-108. [16] In September 1992, the station's transmitter was moved to Bloomingdale, Illinois. [17] For a while in 1993, the station played hot AC days and hard rock/metal at night. [18]

In late 1993, WYSY-FM was sold to Cox Communications for $9 million. [19] In January 1994, the station switched to a classic hits format featuring rock, pop, R&B, and disco hits of the 1970s, with the slogan "The Greatest Hits of the '70s". [20] [21] The station was briefly branded "Star 107.9", but changed its branding to "Y107.9" because WZSR had registered the "Star" moniker with the state. [21] [22] [23]

In 1996, WYSY-FM and 105.9 WCKG were acquired by Infinity Broadcasting as part of a station swap. [24] At the end of the year, Infinity Broadcasting was purchased by the parent company of CBS. [25] This caused CBS/Infinity to exceed the FCC's ownership limits, requiring the sale of two stations. [26] CBS/Infinity decided to sell WYSY-FM and WSCR AM 820. [27] In 1997, WYSY was sold to Spanish Broadcasting System for $33 million. [27] [28] On April 14, 1997, at 6 p.m., after playing "Last Dance" by Donna Summer and "Last Song" by Edward Bear, WYSY-FM dropped its 1970s hits format and began stunting with a 4-to-5 hour loop of songs primarily from the adult contemporary format (the first song on the loop being "Everyday Is A Winding Road" by Sheryl Crow). The format was helmed in a way that served as essentially a predecessor to the future adult hits format, as it was "deejayed" by a voice deemed only as "Bill", who claimed he borrowed a number of CDs and records and was playing "some of [his] favorite songs." [29] [30] [31]

WLEY-FM

On July 4, 1997, after almost 3 months of stunting, WYSY adopted a regional Mexican format branded "La Ley". [32] [33] [34] Its call sign was changed to WLEY-FM later that month. [2] By coincidence, WLEY's calls originated on WCFS-FM (105.9) in the 1950s, standing for Leyden Township.

On August 21, 2018, WLEY-FM HD2 began broadcasting 95.1 Clubsteppin', an Urban oldies format focused on Chicago stepping. [35] The format was programmed by Lamont Watts. [36] Clubsteppin was simulcast on 95.1 FM by the translators W236CF in Chicago and W236CG in Bolingbrook, which formerly aired a rock format as "The Hound". [35] WLEY-FM HD2 was also simulcast on 103.9 W280EM until May 2020. W280EM's owner, Windy City Broadcasting, was fined $8,000 in March 2022, following an informal objection filed by Albert David, as its owner had never informed the FCC that the translator had switched from rebroadcasting WTMX HD2 to WLEY-FM HD2 or of it being taken silent in May 2020. [37] [38]

Boosters

Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W)Transmitter coordinatesFCC info
WLEY-FM2107.9 FM Cicero, Illinois 19900299 41°51′19.1″N87°45′32.2″W / 41.855306°N 87.758944°W / 41.855306; -87.758944 (WLEY-FM2) LMS
WLEY-FM3107.9 FM Chicago, Illinois 19900399 41°52′8.7″N87°41′35.8″W / 41.869083°N 87.693278°W / 41.869083; -87.693278 (WLEY-FM3) LMS
WLEY-FM4107.9 FM Chicago, Illinois 19900499 41°50′32.1″N87°40′33″W / 41.842250°N 87.67583°W / 41.842250; -87.67583 (WLEY-FM4) LMS

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KLAX-FM</span> Radio station in East Los Angeles, California

KLAX-FM is an American commercial radio station located in East Los Angeles, California, broadcasting to the Greater Los Angeles area. It is owned by Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS). KLAX-FM airs a regional Mexican music format branded as "La Raza". The station has studios in Los Angeles, and its transmitter is based in Glendale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WTMX</span> Radio station in Skokie, Illinois, United States

WTMX is a hot AC radio station in Chicago, Illinois. Licensed to Skokie, it is owned by Hubbard Broadcasting. WTMX has its studios located at One Prudential Plaza and its transmitter co-located atop Willis Tower.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WCKL (FM)</span> K-Love radio station in Chicago

WCKL is a non-commercial FM radio station licensed to Chicago, Illinois, featuring a Christian contemporary format via the K-Love network. Owned and operated by Educational Media Foundation (EMF), WCKL serves the Chicago metro area with a transmitter located atop the John Hancock Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBBM-FM</span> Contemporary hit radio station in Chicago

WBBM-FM is a rhythmic hot adult contemporary radio station in Chicago, Illinois. It is owned by Audacy, Inc. The station has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 3,300 watts, broadcasting from a transmitter atop the Willis Tower. The studios and offices are located at Two Prudential Plaza in the Loop. WBBM-FM's main competition is 103.5 WKSC-FM, owned by iHeartMedia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WLIT-FM</span> Soft adult contemporary radio station in Chicago

WLIT-FM is a radio station in Chicago, Illinois. Owned by iHeartMedia, it broadcasts a soft adult contemporary format. Its studios are located at the Illinois Center complex in the Chicago Loop, while the station transmitter is on top of the Willis Tower.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBMX</span> Classic hip hop radio station in Chicago

WBMX is a commercial radio station in Chicago, Illinois, serving the Chicago metropolitan area and Northwest Indiana. The station is owned by Audacy, Inc. and airs a classic hip hop radio format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WXRT</span> Adult album alternative radio station in Chicago

WXRT, also known as XRT and 93-XRT is an adult album alternative radio station in Chicago, Illinois. The station is owned by Audacy, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WGCI-FM</span> Urban contemporary radio station in Chicago

WGCI-FM is an urban contemporary radio station that is licensed to Chicago, Illinois, serving the Chicago metropolitan area and Northwest Indiana. It is owned and operated by iHeartMedia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WUSN</span> Country music radio station in Chicago

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKSC-FM</span> Contemporary hit radio station in Chicago

WKSC-FM – branded "103.5 Kiss FM" – is a commercial Top 40/CHR radio station licensed to Chicago, Illinois. Owned by iHeartMedia, its studios are located at the Illinois Center complex on Michigan Avenue in Downtown Chicago, and its transmitter is located at Willis Tower. WKSC is the flagship station of the syndicated morning show The Fred Show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKQX</span> Alternative rock radio station in Chicago

WKQX is a commercial radio station licensed to Chicago, Illinois, featuring an alternative rock format known as "Q101". Owned by Cumulus Media, the station serves the Chicago metropolitan area. WKQX's studios are located in the NBC Tower, while the station transmits from atop the John Hancock Center. In addition to a standard analog transmission, WKQX broadcasts over two HD Radio channels.

<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">WKBM</span> Radio station in Sandwich, Illinois

WKBM is an AM radio station broadcasting a Catholic talk and teaching radio format. It is licensed to Sandwich, Illinois, and largely simulcasts with sister station WNTD 950 AM Chicago. They are owned by Relevant Radio, based in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

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">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">WMRO</span> Radio station in Gallatin, Tennessee (1963–2019)

WMRO was a radio station licensed to and serving Gallatin, Tennessee. The station was locally owned by Scott, Leslie, and Sandra Bailey of Classic Broadcasting, Inc. The station's studios and transmitter facilities were located a half–mile north of downtown Gallatin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBIG (AM)</span> Radio station in Aurora, Illinois

WBIG is an AM radio station broadcasting a mixed-format of talk, home shopping, and sports. Licensed to Aurora, Illinois, it serves the Fox Valley. The station is currently owned by Auril Broadcasting LLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WCHI-FM</span> Mainstream rock radio station in Chicago

WCHI-FM (95.5 MHz) is a mainstream rock formatted radio station located in Chicago, Illinois, owned and operated by iHeartMedia. WCHI-FM has studios located at the Illinois Center complex on Michigan Avenue in Downtown Chicago, and it broadcasts from a 5.3 kW transmitter based atop John Hancock Center.

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

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 History Cards for WLEY-FM, fcc.gov. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Call Sign History, fcc.gov. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WLEY-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  4. ↑ Ghrist, John R. (1996). Valley Voices: A Radio History. Crossroads Communications. p. 77-80.
  5. 1 2 "Ownership changes", Broadcasting . October 9, 1967. p. 90. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Ownership changes", Broadcasting . January 8, 1973. p. 50. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Stations, everywhere: a listeners' guide to the AM and FM bands", Chicago Tribune Magazine . March 4, 1979. p. 37. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  8. ↑ Chicago Radio Guide . Vol. 1, No. 1. May 1985. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  9. ↑ Bornstein, Rollye. "Vox Jox", Billboard . March 10, 1984. p. 17. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  10. ↑ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1983 , Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1983. p. B-69. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  11. ↑ Ross, Sean. "After The Summer Of Gold", Radio & Records . November 21, 1986. p. 36. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  12. 1 2 Unger, Rudolph. "Aurora FM Outlet to Widen Coverage to Chicago", Chicago Tribune . December 30, 1986. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Changing Hands", Broadcasting . June 9, 1986. p. 132. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Beasley Buys WMRO & WAUR For $ 8.7 Million In Chicago Move", Radio & Records . March 13, 1987. p. 12. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  15. ↑ Chicagoland Radio Waves , MediaTies. Summer 1988/Spring-Summer 1989. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  16. ↑ Young, Linda. "Aurora Mourns Loss of WMRO", Chicago Tribune . December 24, 1989. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  17. ↑ Kening, Dan. "New Gun in Town", Chicago Tribune . January 19, 1993. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  18. ↑ Stark, Phyllis; Boehlert, Eric; Borzillo, Cary. "Vox Jox", Billboard . February 13, 1993. p. 73. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Transactions", Radio & Records . October 8, 1993. p. 6. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  20. ↑ Kening, Dan. "WYSY-FM Fills a Void With Top 40 Hits From the '70s", Chicago Tribune . February 8, 1994. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  21. 1 2 "Newsline" (PDF). Billboard . Vol. 106, no. 3. January 15, 1994. p. 64.
  22. ↑ Stark, Phyllis; Boehlert, Eric; Borzillo, Cary. "Vox Jox", Billboard . February 5, 1994. p. 91. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  23. ↑ Borzillo, Cary. "What's In A Name? Plenty, If You Own It", Billboard . April 16, 1994. pp. 85, 87. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Transactions", Radio & Records . May 24, 1996. p. 6. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  25. ↑ "Westinghouse to Change Name to CBS After Spinoff", Bloomberg News. Los Angeles Times . February 06, 1997. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Infinity's WYSY Goes Spanish", Radio & Records . August 30, 1996. p. 6. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  27. 1 2 "CBS Closes Windy City Deals", Radio & Records . April 11, 1997. p. 9. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  28. ↑ "Station & Cable Trading", Broadcasting & Cable . February 3, 1997. p. 42. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  29. ↑ Carlozo, Lou. "Radio: The '70s Sign Off", Chicago Tribune . April 20, 1997. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  30. ↑ Sound bites and last 7 minutes of WYSY-FM, Chicago's '70s station- YouTube
  31. ↑ WYSY (107.9) – Aurora/Chicago, IL – 5/30/97 (Stunting with “Bill”)
  32. ↑ "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 14, No. 27. July 9, 1997. p. 1. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  33. ↑ "Call Letter Changes", The M Street Journal. Vol. 14, No. 27. July 9, 1997. p. 5. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  34. ↑ "Radio Rides Hispanic Population Boom", Broadcasting & Cable . October 6, 1997. p. 46. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  35. 1 2 Venta, Lance (August 21, 2018). "95.1 Chicago Goes Clubsteppin". RadioInsight. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  36. ↑ "New Owner For Chicago's Clubsteppin 95.1", RadioInsight. August 28, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  37. ↑ "Chicago Translator Owner Fined $8,000 For Not Reporting Months-Long Silence.", InsideRadio. March 16, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  38. ↑ Jacobson, Adam. "A Chicago LPFM Operator Gets Fine for Unauthorized Silence", Radio & Television Business Report. March 15, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
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.