Wikipedia

WCPY

For the DeKalb, Illinois, radio station that held the call sign WCPY at 92.5 FM from 2008 to 2014, see WCLR (FM).

WCPY (92.7 FM) 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".

WCPY
Broadcast areaChicago metropolitan area
Frequency92.7 MHz
Branding
  • Daytime: Polski FM
  • Nighttime: Dance Factory FM
Programming
Format
Ownership
Owner
  • Rhythm Enterprises LLC
  • (WKIE LLC)
History
First air date
March 10, 1960; 64 years ago (1960-03-10)[1]
Former call signs
  • WNWC (1960–1968)[2]
  • WEXI (1968–1972)[2]
  • WWMM (1972–1981)[2]
  • WTCO (1981–1983)
  • WSEX (1983–1989)
  • WCBR-FM (1989–1998)
  • WKIE (1998–2008)
  • WCPT-FM (2008–2014)[3]
Technical information[4]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID15520
ClassA
ERP1,800 watts
HAAT116 meters (381 ft)
Links
Public license information
Website

The station is owned by Rhythm Enterprises LLC. WCPY transmits on a tower with WPPN and WPNA-FM in nearby Buffalo Grove at 1,800 watts.

History

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WNWC

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The station began broadcasting on March 10, 1960, holding the call sign WNWC ("North West Communities").[1][5][6] In July 1961, the station was purchased by Bob Atcher and Thomas Hogan.[5][7] WNWC would air a wide variety of non-rock music.[5] It aired four hours of country music a day before increasing it to 12 hours a day in November 1963.[8] In 1965, Lester Vihon purchased the station for $110,000.[5] By 1966, it was airing hard rock evenings.[9] The station was off the air temporarily in June 1966, after a tornado toppled its tower.[9] In early 1968, the station was sold to auto dealer Walter Mack for $150,000.[5][10]

WEXI

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In April 1968, the station's call sign was changed to WEXI, and was branded "Stereo Excitement".[2][11] WEXI aired easy listening music during the day and a progressive rock format overnight.[12][13] Shortly thereafter, it adopted a top 40 format.[14][5] In November 1970, the station adopted a beautiful music format, with the slogan "Spreading Clean Air over Chicagoland".[14][5][15]

WWMM

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In autumn 1972, the station was sold to Community Broadcasters for $230,000, and its call sign was changed to WWMM.[16][2] WWMM aired contemporary middle of the road music, along with some talk programs.[5][17][18] Among the shows on WWMM in this period was "Love in the Afternoon", a sex talk program hosted by Jonathan Kingsley.[18] By 1976, the station had adopted a jazz format.[5][19] In 1976, the station was sold to Northwest Community Broadcasting for $500,000.[20][2] By 1977, WWMM was airing a MOR-adult contemporary format, with the slogan "Radio for the Great Northwest".[21][22][23]

WTCO

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In spring of 1981, the station was sold to Radio Communications Group and its call sign was changed to WTCO.[2][3][5] WTCO aired a country music format.[5][24] In 1982, the station was sold to Darrell Peters Productions for $550,000.[25][26]

WSEX

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Darrell Peters Productions applied to change the station's call sign to WSEX on September 26, 1982, but the application was rejected.[27] An application to reconsider was submitted, and the call sign change was approved on January 24, 1983.[27][28][29][3] WSEX aired an adult contemporary format called "Love Songs & More".[30] In January 1986, the station adopted a "Top 10" format, playing songs that had reached the top 10 within the past five years.[31][32][33]

WCBR-FM

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The station became "Chicago's Bear", and its call sign was changed to WCBR-FM on January 9, 1989.[3][34] WCBR-FM aired an adult album alternative format.[35][36][37] As the 90's progressed, it began to air brokered programming nights and weekends.[37] WCBR-FM also aired Chicago Wolves hockey.[37][38]

In 1998, the station was sold to Big City Radio for $17 million.[39] Many of the brokered programs that were on WCBR-FM moved to 94.3 WJKL in Elgin.[39] Purchased by Big City Radio at the same time was 92.7 WLRA in Kankakee.[40] When Big City Radio took control of the two stations, they stunted with a simulcast of their Los Angeles sister station 107.1 KLYY, which aired a modern rock format.[41] WLRA's call sign was changed to WBRO shortly thereafter.[42]

92 Kiss FM (WKIE-FM)

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92 Kiss FM logo

On November 14, 1998, at Noon, WCBR and WBRO launched their new official format, CHR as "92.7 Kiss FM", with the first song being "Kiss" by Prince.[43][44][45] This would be Chicago's first true CHR station in many years and proved to be quite successful, even with the two stations' weak signals.[43][38][44] In late December 1998, the station's call sign was changed to WKIE, while WBRO's call sign was changed to WKIF.[3][42] Big City Radio also purchased WDEK 92.5 in DeKalb, Illinois, which was airing a locally programmed CHR format at the time, and switched it to a simulcast of WKIE and WKIF in early 1999.[46] Not long after, the moniker was adjusted to "92 Kiss FM".[47] Melissa Forman hosted mornings on 92 Kiss FM, before moving to 93.9 WLIT-FM in 2001.[48][49]

Energy 92.7&5

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On January 12, 2001, Clear Channel's WUBT changed formats from rhythmic oldies to CHR as WKSC-FM "Kiss 103.5".[50] At that time, Clear Channel filed suit against Big City Radio, alleging the "Kiss FM" branding used by WKIE and its simulcasts violated its national trademark.[50][51] However, Big City Radio had already planned on changing the formats of these stations.[51] On January 26, 2001, 92 Kiss-FM signed off, and the three stations adopted a dance hits format as "Energy 92.7&5".[51][52] The station's airstaff remained intact.[53][54] The new format was designed by 92 Kiss FM's program director, Chris Shebel, who has stated that the dance hits format is something he had dreamed of doing for a long time.[51]

Onda 92

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In late 2002, Big City Radio, became insolvent and began the process of selling all of its radio stations.[55] In early 2003, WKIE, WKIF and WDEK were sold to Spanish Broadcasting System for $22 million.[56] On January 6, 2003, the three stations adopted a Spanish contemporary format as "Onda 92".[57][58][59][60]

Nine FM / Dance Factory

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In 2004, Spanish Broadcasting System sold WKIE, WKIF and WDEK to Newsweb Corporation for $28 million.[61][62] At 9 a.m. November 29, 2004, WKIE and WDEK began simulcasting with its new adult hits sister station 99.9 WRZA in Park Forest, Illinois, as "Nine FM", with the slogan "We Play Anything".[63][64] The first song on the Nine FM simulcast was "With or Without You" by U2.[63] Sky Daniels was the original program director for Nine FM.[63] When he left in 2005, he was replaced by Matt DuBiel.[64]

In 2006, Chris Chudzik began leasing air time for a dance music show called Dance Factory.[65][66] Initially airing overnight on Saturdays,[65] the program was expanded to seven nights a week on May 14, 2007.[66] Dance Factory has continued to air overnight on the station, even as its daytime format has changed.[67][68]

Chicago's Progressive Talk (WCPT-FM)

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Newsweb Corporation dropped the Nine FM programming on all three signals on October 20, 2008, and replaced it with a simulcast of sister station WCPT from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m.[69][67] The Nine FM format moved to WKIF 92.7 in Kankakee.[70] On October 27, 2008, the station changed its callsign from WKIE to WCPT-FM, to go with the format.[3]

Polski FM (WCPY)

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On June 2, 2014, WCPT-FM and 99.9 WCPQ broke away from the progressive talk simulcast and changed their daytime format to Polish, branded as "Polski FM".[68][71] WCPT-FM then swapped callsigns with 92.5 WCPY in DeKalb, which remained part of the progressive talk simulcast.[3][71] In 2018, 99.9 WCPQ was sold to Bible Broadcasting Network, and it adopted a Christian format as WYHI.[72] Polski FM was then briefly simulcast on 640 WMFN in the summer of 2018.[73] In October 2024, Newsweb sold WCPY to Mina Georgalas' Rhythm Enterprises LLC for $3 million; three of the company's members are associated with the "Polski FM" programming.[74]

References

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  1. ^ a b 1964 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1964. p. B-47. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g History Cards for WCPY, fcc.gov. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Call Sign History (WCPY)". Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  4. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WCPY". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Ghrist, John R. (1996). Valley Voices: A Radio History. Crossroads Communications. p. 327-330.
  6. ^ "County Approves FM Tower". Arlington Heights Herald. July 30, 1959.
  7. ^ "Schaumburg Residents Purchase FM Station", Arlington Heights Herald. July 27, 1961.
  8. ^ Sachs, Bill. "With the Country Jockeys", Billboard. November 30, 1963. p. 20. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  9. ^ a b "From the Music Capitals of the World", Billboard. June 25, 1966. p. 36. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  10. ^ "Mack Buys Radio Station WNWC-FM". Mount Prospect Herald. January 26, 1968. p. 1.
  11. ^ "WEXI Stereo Excitement 92.7", The Herald. March 27, 1969. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  12. ^ "WEXI-FM in New Format", Billboard. May 4, 1968. p. 22. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  13. ^ "Stations Playing Progressive Rock", Billboard. July 27, 1968. p. 44. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  14. ^ a b "WEXI-FM Swings to MOR Format", Billboard. November 14, 1970. p. 26. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  15. ^ "Good Moods", The Herald. February 15, 1971. Section 1, p. 3.
  16. ^ "Ownership Changes", Broadcasting. October 30, 1972. p. 58. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  17. ^ 1974 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1974. p. B-60-61. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  18. ^ a b Mahsman, David. "'New-Old' FM Station Brings 'Sexy Radio' to Town", The Herald. November 3, 1972.
  19. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1976, Broadcasting, 1976. p. C-56. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  20. ^ "Changing Hands", Broadcasting. August 23, 1976. p. 70. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  21. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1977, Broadcasting, 1977. p. C-59. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  22. ^ "Great Music Survey For Week Ending: 6/3/78", WM WWMM FM 92.7. June 3, 1978. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  23. ^ "Stations, everywhere: a listeners' guide to the AM and FM bands", Chicago Tribune Magazine, March 4, 1979. p. 35. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  24. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1982, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1982. p. C-67. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  25. ^ Public Notice Comment - BALH-19820528EZ, fcc.gov. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  26. ^ "Changing Hands", Broadcasting. September 13, 1982. p. 88. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  27. ^ a b "Sex Appeal: Illinois Asks FCC to Sanction WSEX Change", Billboard. November 20, 1982. p. 12. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  28. ^ Holland, Bill. "FCC Keeps Hands Off WSEX Change Operation", Billboard. February 5, 1983. p. 10. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  29. ^ "FCC Approves WSEX Calls", Radio & Records. January 28, 1983. p. 4. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  30. ^ Chicago Radio Guide, Vol. 1, Issue 1. May 1985. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  31. ^ "Change is the constant in suburban radio game", The Sunday Herald. October 26, 1986. Section 1, p. 9. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  32. ^ Chicagoland Radio Waves, MediaTies. Summer 1988. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  33. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1987, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1987. p. B-84. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  34. ^ Chicagoland Radio Waves, MediaTies. Spring-Summer 1989. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  35. ^ Kening, Dan. "New Neighbor", Chicago Tribune. August 6, 1991. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  36. ^ Kening, Dan. "Talk O' the Towns", Chicago Tribune. November 03, 1991. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  37. ^ a b c Kening, Dan. "Riding a New Sound Wave", Chicago Tribune. January 15, 1995. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  38. ^ a b Galo, Maria T. "Suburban Voice Moving", Chicago Tribune. June 25, 1999. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  39. ^ a b Kirk, Jim. Channel 7 May Snag NBC Seattle News Chief", Chicago Tribune. July 2, 1998. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  40. ^ "Big City Buys Four More In Chicago", Radio & Records. April 24, 1998. p. 4. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  41. ^ "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 15, No. 31. August 5, 1998. p. 1-2. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  42. ^ a b Call Sign History (WVLI), fcc.gov. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  43. ^ a b Feder, Robert. "'Kiss FM' set to debut 'in your face' attitude", Chicago Sun-Times. November 12, 1998. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  44. ^ a b "WCBR Becomes 92.7 Kiss FM", Format Change Archive. November 14, 1998. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  45. ^ "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 15, No. 46. November 18, 1998. p. 1. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  46. ^ "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 16, No. 9. March 3, 1999. p. 2. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  47. ^ "92.7 KISS fm". 92 Kiss FM. Archived from the original on February 29, 2000. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  48. ^ "Melissa Forman". 92 Kiss FM. Archived from the original on March 4, 2000. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  49. ^ Rosenthal, Phil. "Melissa Forman out at WLIT-FM -- again", Chicago Tribune. August 13, 2009. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  50. ^ a b "M Street Bazaar... People, Products, and Programming", The M Street Journal. Vol. 18, No. 03. January 17, 2001. p. 8. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  51. ^ a b c d Ross, Sean "Shebel Energizes WKIE With Dance", Billboard. February 17, 2001. p. 63-64. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  52. ^ "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 18, No. 05. January 31, 2001. p. 1-2. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  53. ^ "KISS On Air". 92 Kiss FM. Archived from the original on December 4, 2000. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  54. ^ "Energy Personalities". Energy 92 7/5. Archived from the original on April 10, 2001. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  55. ^ "Big City Radio Announces Auction Of Stations", HispanicAd.com. October 05, 2002. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  56. ^ Oppelaar, Justin. "Spanish B'casting picks up Chi trio", Variety. January 3, 2003. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  57. ^ "Analysts React To Big City Sell-Off", Radio & Records. pp. 4 & 6. January 10, 2003. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  58. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2003-2004, Broadcasting & Cable, 2003-2004. p. D-141. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  59. ^ "Latin Music 6 Pack", Billboard. February 22, 2003. p. LM-2. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  60. ^ "Onda 92". Onda 92. Archived from the original on July 19, 2003. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  61. ^ "SBS Closes $28 Million Sale of Chicago FMs to Newsweb", RadioWorld. November 30, 2004. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  62. ^ Lazaroff, Leon. "Democratic donor plans to purchase 3 stations", Chicago Tribune, July 27, 2004. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  63. ^ a b c Kampert, Patrick. "Nine FM rolls out 'anything' format on 3 frequencies", Chicago Tribune, December 02, 2004. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  64. ^ a b Devine, Cathy (2005-2006). The Radio Book. p. 187. Retrieved December, 2018.
  65. ^ a b "Dance Factory". Nine FM. Archived from the original on June 14, 2006. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  66. ^ a b Feder, Robert. "'Nine FM' filling void with club-style music every night of the week", Chicago Sun-Times, May 10, 2007. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  67. ^ a b Rosenthal, Phil. "'Nine FM' consolidates -- who's left?", Chicago Tribune, October 18, 2008. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  68. ^ a b Venta, Lance. "Chicago Liberal Talker To Shift FM Signals To Brokered Polish", Radio Insight. May 5, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  69. ^ "WCPT/Chicago Gets FM Simulcasts". Radio Ink. October 17, 2008. Archived from the original on October 27, 2008.
  70. ^ Rosenthal, Phil. "Harvey Wells to step down from Newsweb Radio in February", Chicago Tribune, December 15, 2009. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  71. ^ a b Feder, Robert. "Newsweb Radio streamlines WCPT talk simulcast", robertfeder.com. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  72. ^ Venta, Lance. "Bible Broadcasting Acquires WCPQ Park Forest IL", Radio Insight. March 20, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  73. ^ "Polski FM - 92.7 FM & 640 AM - Chicago". Polski FM. Archived from the original on July 12, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  74. ^ Venta, Lance (October 4, 2024). "Station Sales Week Of 10/4". RadioInsight. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
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42°08′14″N 87°58′57″W / 42.137091°N 87.982496°W / 42.137091; -87.982496

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