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WNTD

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WNTD
Broadcast areaChicago metropolitan area
Frequency950 kHz
Programming
FormatCatholic talk and teaching
NetworkRelevant Radio
Ownership
OwnerRelevant Radio, Inc.
WKBM, WWCA
History
First air date
April 7, 1922; 102 years ago (1922-04-07) (date first licensed)[1]
Former call signs
  • WAAF (1922–1967)[1]
  • WGRT (1967–1973)
  • WJPC (1973[1]-1994)[2]
    WEJM (1994–1997)[2]
  • WIDB (1997–1999)[2]
Technical information[3]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID6589
ClassB
Power
  • 1,000 watts days
  • 5,000 watts nights
Transmitter coordinates
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websiterelevantradio.com

WNTD (950 AM) 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 (930 AM) in Sandwich, Illinois.[4] The stations' programming comes from the Relevant Radio network.

By day, WNTD is powered at 1,000 watts non-directional. The daytime transmitter is on S. Western Avenue near 15th Street in Chicago.[5] At night, while increasing its power to 5,000 watts, it also switches to a separate transmitter using a directional antenna with a six-tower array. That tower site is off East 142nd Street near South Manistee Avenue in Burnham, Illinois.

History[edit]

WAAF[edit]

The station was licensed by the Department of Commerce on April 7, 1922.[1] The original call sign was WAAF.[6][1] It was one of the first radio stations in Chicago and was owned by the Chicago Daily Drover's Journal, with its transmitter and studios at the Union Stock Yards.[6][1][7]

The station originally broadcast at 620 and later 830 kHz.[8][9] By 1923, the station's frequency had been changed to 1050 kHz.[10][11] By 1925 the station was broadcasting at 1080 kHz, running 200 watts.[12][13] By 1927, the station's power had been increased to 500 watts, and the station's frequency was changed to 770 kHz.[1] In 1928, the station's frequency was changed to 920 kHz.[1] The station operated during daytime hours only.[1]

The station's programming was initially devoted to trade news, but in 1929, its programming was broadened.[7] The station would air a variety of music programs, along with news, live market reports, and a variety of other programs.[14][15]

The station's transmitter and studios were destroyed in the 1934 Stock Yards fire.[7][1] The station broadcast live coverage of the fire until smoke and heat forced them to leave the building.[7] The station's studios were moved to the Palmer House following the fire.[7][1]

In 1936, the station's power was increased to 1,000 watts.[1] In 1941, the station's frequency was changed to 950 kHz.[1] In the 1940s, the station aired orchestral music and popular music.[6] In 1948, the station's studios were moved to the LaSalle-Wacker Building.[16][7][1]

In 1955, the station began airing "Juke Box Matinee", hosted by Hal Fredericks, in association with the Recorded Music Service Association and the Chicago Juke Box Operators' Association.[17][18] The show featured a monthly "Hunch Tune", which would be promoted on the show and featured as the No. 1 selection in juke boxes.[18][19] The first "Hunch Tune" was "Rollin' Stone" by Eddie Fontaine.[19]

In 1956, the station adopted a jazz format.[20] Personalities heard on the station during its jazz years included Marty Faye, Daddy-O Daylie, Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens, and Dick Buckley.[20][21][22]

WGRT[edit]

WNTD's daytime tower atop Midland Warehouses

In 1967, the station was sold to a corporation formed by Ralph Atlass, for $900,000.[23][1] The station's call sign was changed to WGRT ("W-Great!") and it adopted a soul music format.[24] Daddy-O Daylie continued as a DJ on WGRT, hosting a morning jazz program.[25][26] Daylie's jazz program was initially two hours long, but was reduced to an hour and a half, and eventually a half hour in 1971.[25][26] In 1971, the station's transmitter was moved to the Midland Warehouses on Western Avenue in Chicago.[1]

WJPC[edit]

On May 29, 1973, the station was purchased by Johnson Publishing Company for $1,800,000.[27][28] On November 1, 1973, the station's call sign was changed to WJPC.[28] The station aired an urban contemporary format.[29] Disc jockeys included Tom Joyner and LaDonna Tittle.[30] Daddy-O Daylie hosted a Sunday jazz program.[31][30] In 1980, the station began nighttime operations, running 5,000 watts using a directional array.[1][30] In the late 1980s and early 90s the station simulcast the soft urban contemporary format of its sister station 106.3 WLNR in Lansing, Illinois, and was branded "Soft Touch".[32][33][34] At noon on July 15, 1992, the station began airing an all-rap format.[35][36]

106 Jamz[edit]

In 1994, Johnson Publishing sold the station, along with 106.3 WJPC-FM, to Broadcasting Partners for $8 million.[27][37] In June 1994, the station became "106 Jamz", airing an urban contemporary format as a simulcast of WJPC-FM.[38][39] The station's call sign was changed to WEJM later that year, with its FM simulcast partner taking the call sign WEJM-FM.[2][40] In spring of 1997, the station was sold to Douglas Broadcasting for $7.5 million.[27][41][42] In June 1997, its FM sister station left the simulcast, adopting an urban gospel format as 106.3 WYBA.[43]

One-on-One Sports[edit]

On August 28, 1997, WEJM's format was changed to sports, as a One-on-One Sports affiliate.[44][45] Around this time, the station was purchased by One-on-One for $10 million.[27][46] In November 1997, the station's call sign was changed to WIDB.[2] One-On-One was headquartered in suburban Northbrook.[44] The One-on-One Sports affiliation moved to WJKL on March 1, 1999, though the One-on-One Sports format continued to simulcast on WIDB until May 1999.[47][48]

WNTD[edit]

In 1999, the station was sold to Radio Unica for $16,750,000.[49] In May 1999, the station began airing a Spanish-language news-talk format as Radio Unica.[47][48][50][51] The station's callsign was changed to WNTD that month.[2] Personalities heard on Radio Unica included Paul Bouche and Dra. Isabel, among others.[52][53] Ricardo Brown was news director.[53][52] In 2004, Multicultural Radio Broadcasting acquired Radio Unica's 15 radio stations for $150 million.[54][55][56]

WNTD was the original affiliate of Air America Radio in Chicago.[57] Program hosts included Al Franken, Randi Rhodes, Janeane Garofalo, Rachel Maddow, Lizz Winstead and Chuck D.[57] The network launched on March 31, 2004.[57] However, these programs ended after two weeks, on April 14, due to a payment dispute between Multicultural Radio Broadcasting, then owner of WNTD, and Air America Radio.[58] On April 15, a judge ruled that Air America had fully paid for airtime on WNTD and ordered Multicultural to broadcast Air America on the station.[59] However, Air America would only continue on the station through the end of the month.[60] WNTD would return to airing a Spanish language format.[61][62][63]

In 2007, the station was sold to Sovereign City Radio for $15 million.[64][65] In October 2007, Relevant Radio began to air from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, while brokered Spanish language programming aired the remainder of the time.[65]

From August 2009, until August 14, 2010, WNTD carried "Avenue 950", programmed by Sovereign City Radio Services, which featured an eclectic mix of jazz, blues, standards, and adult contemporary from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m.[66][67] Relevant Radio continued to air during the remainder of the station's schedule.[67] On August 15, 2010, the station began airing Relevant Radio full time.[67]

In 2014, the station was sold to Starboard Media Foundation, Inc. for $14.4 million.[68] The transaction was consummated on May 2, 2014.[69]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q History Cards for WNTD, fcc.gov. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Call Sign History, fcc.gov. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  3. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WNTD". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  4. ^ "WNTD 950 AM Chicago is broadcasting Relevant Radio programming 24 hours a day, 7 days a week". Relevant Radio. August 15, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  5. ^ Radio-Locator.com/WNTD
  6. ^ a b c "AM Histories", Broadcasting - Telecasting. October 25, 1948. p. 14. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "1922 - Year Radio's Population Soared", Broadcasting. May 14, 1962. p. 96. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  8. ^ Gernsback, H. (1922) Radio For All. p. 271. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  9. ^ Radio Broadcast. Doubleday, Page, and Co. July 1922. p. 276. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  10. ^ Citizens Radio Call Book: A Complete Radio Cyclopedia. Volume 4, November 4. November 1923. p. 13. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  11. ^ The Wireless Age. November 1923. p. 64. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  12. ^ Radio Progress. August 15, 1925. p. 38. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  13. ^ Citizen's Radio Callbook: A Complete Radio Cyclopedia. Vol. 6. No. 2. Fall 1925. p. 14. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  14. ^ Radio and Amusement Guide. Chicago Edition. Vol. 1, No. 16. Week of February 7–13, 1932. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  15. ^ Radio Guide. Chicago Edition. Week of June 11–17, 1933. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  16. ^ "WAAF: A New Home For Chicago's Oldest Call Letters", Broadcasting - Telecasting. October 25, 1948. p. 15. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  17. ^ "Chicago Music Ops Assn. In Full Week Radio Show", Cash Box. May 14, 1955. p. 43. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  18. ^ a b "Chi Music Trade Promotes 'Juke Matinee' on WAAF", Billboard. May 7, 1955. p. 27. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  19. ^ a b "RMSA-WAAF Set 'Juke Box Matinee'", Billboard. May 14, 1955. p. 84. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  20. ^ a b Paige, Earl. "WAAF: Stock in Yards & Jazz", Billboard. November 19, 1966. p. 36. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  21. ^ "Holmes "Daddy-O" Daylie", Rich Samuels. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  22. ^ "Jesse Owens to Switch Chicago Disc Jockey Spots", Jet. April 21, 1960. p. 58. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  23. ^ "Corn Belt Pub. Sells WAAF", Billboard. December 17, 1966. p. 32. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  24. ^ Pruter, Robert (1992). Chicago Soul. University of Illinois Press. p. 17. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  25. ^ a b "Daylie Gets Jazz Program With Media Reps Support", Jet. February 25, 1971. p. 57. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  26. ^ a b "WGRT Specialists' Philosophy", Billboard. February 24, 1968. p. 24. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  27. ^ a b c d Duncan, James H. "Major Station Transactions:1970 to 2003", An American Radio Trilogy 1975 to 2004. Volume 1: The Markets. Duncan's American Radio. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  28. ^ a b One Big Change Deserves Another", Ebony. December 1973. p. 10. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  29. ^ Stations, everywhere: a listeners' guide to the AM and FM bands Chicago Tribune Magazine. March 4, 1979. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  30. ^ a b c "Backstage", Ebony. May 1980. p. 22. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  31. ^ "WJPC Hosts Big Bash to Kickoff New Name Change", Jet. November 15, 1973. p. 13. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  32. ^ Chicagoland Radio Waves, MediaTies. Summer 1988 & Spring/Summer 1989. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  33. ^ "WLNR FM 106.3", Radio Chicago. Fall 1989. p. 43. Accessed January 4, 2014.
  34. ^ "WLNR FM 106.3", Radio Chicago. p. 54. Spring 1991. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  35. ^ Nelson, Havelock. "Rap and black radio", Billboard. November 28, 1992. p. R-6. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  36. ^ "Format Changes", The M Street Journal. Vol. 9, No. 27. July 8, 1992. p. 1. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  37. ^ "Elsewhere", The M Street Journal. Vol. 11 No. 24. June 15, 1994. p. 6. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  38. ^ "Format Changes", The M Street Journal. Vol. 11 No. 25. June 22, 1994. p. 1. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  39. ^ Heise, Kenan. "Isadore Pink, WEJM Rap Deejay Pinkhouse", Chicago Tribune. November 8, 1996. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  40. ^ Call Sign History, fcc.gov. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  41. ^ "Evergreen to Sell 3 Radio Stations for $64.1 Million", The New York Times. April 9, 1997. p. D 4. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  42. ^ Jones, Tim. "Radio Shuffle Continues", Chicago Tribune. April 9, 1997. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  43. ^ "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 14 No. 22. June 4, 1997. p. 1. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  44. ^ a b Hirsley, Michael. "Sports Radio Network Muscles Into Mix", Chicago Tribune. August 29, 1997. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  45. ^ "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 14 No. 35. September 3, 1997. p. 2. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  46. ^ "Elsewhere", The M Street Journal. Vol. 14 No. 35. September 3, 1997. p. 10. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  47. ^ a b Kirk, Jim. "One-on-one Sports Soon Zero For One On AM" Chicago Tribune. February 24, 1999. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  48. ^ a b "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 16 No. 20. May 19, 1999. p. 2. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  49. ^ "Radio Unica Scores In Chicago With WIOB-AM Buy", Radio & Records. February 26, 2018. p. 6. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  50. ^ Lose a pet? Tractor to sell?", Chicago Tribune. March 02, 2003. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  51. ^ The M Street Radio Directory. Ninth Edition. 2000. p. 224. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  52. ^ a b "Radio Unica". Radio Unica. Archived from the original on October 1, 2003. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  53. ^ a b "Radio Unica 2002 Programming Line-up." HispanicAd.com. December 09, 2001. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  54. ^ "Radio Unica vende 15 estaciones AM por 150 millones de dólares", Laredo Morning Times. October 6, 2003. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  55. ^ "Chapter 11 Written for Radio Unica", Radio & Records. December 19, 2003. p. 6. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  56. ^ Application Search Details – BAL-20031015AEP, fcc.gov. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  57. ^ a b c "Left wingin' it", Chicago Tribune. March 31, 2004. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  58. ^ Carney, Steve. "Radio Station Owner Silences Air America in L.A., Chicago", Los Angeles Times. April 15, 2004. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  59. ^ Cook, John. "Air America restored in Chicago", Chicago Tribune. April 16, 2004. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  60. ^ "Air America Quiet", Chicago Tribune. April 21, 2004. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  61. ^ The Radio Book. 2005-2006. p. 190. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  62. ^ The Radio Book. 2006-2007. p. 193. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  63. ^ The Radio Book. 2007-2008. p. 193. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  64. ^ Asset Purchase Agreement, fcc.gov. June 29, 2007. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  65. ^ a b Feder, Robert. "Split Personality", Chicago Sun-Times. October 24, 2007. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  66. ^ "Sovereign City debuts Avenue 950", Radio & Television Business Report. August 11, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  67. ^ a b c "Timeless Cool/Avenue 950 Is Moving Away", Chicagoland Radio and Media. August 14, 2010. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  68. ^ "Asset Purchase Agreement", fcc.gov. December 18, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  69. ^ Application Search Details, fcc.gov. Retrieved August 29, 2018.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.luquay.com/w/index.php?title=WNTD&oldid=1230144427"