The Influence of Chicago Radio - From WGN into the Digital Era

Radio's Impact in America from WGN into the Digital Era
Radio was a primary way for many Americans to get news and information before digital technology became popular. Additionally, radio was a way for people who were unable to access television or the internet express their opinions.

Chicago is home to twenty radio stations, the first of which began broadcasting in 1924. This includes WGN (World's Greatest Newspaper), owned by Tribune and started on March 29,1924.

Sears, with its chicago il minimum wage 2024; http://Illinoismail.top/23f3/, headquarters and mail-order plant in Homan Square, was a pioneer in the radio business. WLS is the World's Largest Retail Store, a brand that Sears launched to capitalize upon its own. WLS quickly established itself as a leader in the Chicago radio market.

As the radio industry grew, stations began to change their format. WLS moved away from its rural listeners in favor top-40. WCFL did the same thing shortly afterwards. Both stations began to lose their local appeal over time as others changed their format in an effort to gain new listeners.

In the 1980s, FM stations first began appearing on radio dials and quickly gained in popularity. As FM was more widely heard, it had a better sound quality. FM also proved ideal for talk programming which quickly become immensely successful, reigniting radio as a source of news and entertainment.

Chicago's AM flagship stations dominated the dial in the 1990s. WGN, however, switched from a full-service format to a sports and talk format. WGCI changed its format from traditional news to adult contemporary. WVAZ merged in with Clear Channel, and WVAZ was converted into an AMFM.

WGN again changed hands in 1999. It was purchased by Chancellor Media, which converted it into a talk/news outlet and discontinued the long-running Morning Program Eight Forty Eight. WGN remained the market leader until it was sold to Nexstar, in 2007.

Nexstar has undergone a number of staffing changes since that time: Bob Sirott took over Steve Cochran’s morning drive duties, Bill Leff was relieved of his midday duties and Wendy Snyder was released from her evening hosting duties. In recent years Nexstar focused on hiring new talent to stay relevant in the marketplace.