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WDRV (97.1 FM broadcasting, "The Drive") is a commercial radio station licensed to serve Chicago. The station is owned by Hubbard Broadcasting and airs a classic rock radio format. Its studios were originally located in the John Hancock Center. On May 11, 2018, WDRV moved into all new, state-of-the-art, digital studios in Chicago's Prudential Plaza. WDRV's antenna is located atop the Aon Center. The station's programming is simulcast on sister station 96.9 WWDV in Zion, Illinois.
WDRV uses HD Radio and broadcasts a classic rock format branded as "Deep Tracks" on its HD2 subchannel.
Bill Gershon was among the first announcers. Among the other announcers in the early years were Bill Plante, who went on to become a fixture at CBS News, Marty Robinson and Don Tait, TWTD Archive — July 8, 1995, Speaking of Radio. Retrieved February 17, 2019. both of whom later worked for WFMT, and Ken Alexander, who later worked for WAIT 820, but later returned to WNIB." Ken Alexander's Radio Recollections", Nostalgia Digest. bruceduffie.com. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
Sonia Atzeff, a graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago, was hired as program director in 1958, and she steered WNIB's programming toward a classical music format. 1959 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1959. p. B-143. Retrieved February 20, 2019. As a classical station, WNIB would later be branded "Classical 97". Chicagoland Radio Waves, MediaTies. Summer 1988/Spring-Summer 1989. Retrieved February 24, 2019. Sonia Atzeff and Bill Florian were married in 1967, and Sonia later became general manager of the station, a position she held until its sale in 2001. Broadcasting Yearbook 1979, Broadcasting, 1979. p. C-64. Retrieved February 20, 2019." Soothing sounds go silent", The Times of Northwest Indiana. February 11, 2001. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
Ron Ray began as a part-time announcer on WNIB in 1968.Grier, Lita. " Remembering Ron Ray", WNIB Program Guide. bruceduffie.com. Retrieved February 19, 2019. Working concurrently at 105.9 WCFS-FM, Ray pre-recorded his announcements. In 1977, Ray began working full-time at WNIB as program director. Live classical hosts on WNIB over the years included Fred Heft, Jay Andres, Bruce Duffie, Carl Grapentine, Scott Thomas, and Obie Yadgar.Mahany, Barbara. " This Is About a Wild and Crazy Man + His Wife + Their 'Mom and Pop' Radio Station Which Became 1 in Classical Music in the Chicago Area", Chicago Tribune. June 23, 1997. Retrieved February 19, 2019.Jacobs, Jodie. " He's a Broadcasting Classic", Chicago Tribune. January 3, 1999. Retrieved February 19, 2019." WNIB FM 97.1", Radio Chicago. p. 58. Winter 1991. Retrieved February 19, 2019. Miller Peters was the station's music director in its final years, and also served as a weekend host. Syndicated programs included Adventures in Good Music with Karl Haas, which aired Mon–Fri at 7 p.m.
While classical music was the station's primary focus, for a period, brokered ethnic and religious programming aired in some late night hours. The brokered ethnic and religious programming were dropped in the 1980s.Haynes, V. Dion. " Station WNIB Making Waves With a Classical Success Story", Chicago Tribune. July 25, 1986. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
Florian, a jazz aficionado, also hired Dick Buckley as a DJ for the station's jazz programming.Biro, Nick. " Dealers Swing With Jazz", Billboard. April 28, 1962. p. 12. Retrieved February 18, 2019. Neil Tesser also hosted a jazz program on WNIB from 1974 to 1976." Neil Tesser, WFMT. Retrieved February 18, 2019.Duston, Anne. " Awards to Three For Contributing to Chicago Jazz", Billboard. December 26, 1974. p. 3. Retrieved February 18, 2019. Blues hosts included Mr. A. and Big Bill Collins.Seigenthaler, Katherine. " Classic Sounds in the Wee Hours", Chicago Tribune. July 25, 1989. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
Those Were the Days, a four-hour old-time radio program hosted by Chuck Schaden, aired on WNIB Saturdays from September 6, 1975, until February 10, 2001. Dick Lawrence hosted The Dick Lawrence Review, a weekly program on WNIB that featured nostalgic commentary and readings, along with vintage music. Chicago Radio Guide. Vol. 1, No. 1. May 1985. p. 54. Retrieved January 17, 2019.Heise, Kenan. " Dick Lawrence, 66; Was Host of WNIB Weekly Radio Show", Chicago Tribune. March 31, 1992. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
In 1983, the Florians purchased 96.9 WWDV in Zion, Illinois, for $1 million. The station's call sign was changed to WNIZ, and it began simulcasting the programming of WNIB. The following year, WNIB's ERP was increased from 850 watts to 8,400 watts. Public Notice Comment – BPH-19831109AI, fcc.gov. Retrieved February 24, 2019. Public Notice Comment – BLH-19840515CP, fcc.gov. Retrieved February 24, 2019. Its ratings grew significantly in the following years, and by the late 1980s it began to surpass 98.7 WFMT.
When 99.5 WUSN was sold and abandoned its longtime classical music format in 1978, a portion of its classical music library was donated to WNIB as part of the settlement to permit the station's sale.Brenner, Daniel L. " Government Regulation of Radio Program Format Changes", University of Pennsylvania Law Review. Volume 127. 1978. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
WNIB was also famous for having dogs and cats in residence, which were audible at times during announcements. The animals were featured in local media, and listeners seemed to enjoy knowing that they were there.
In 1999, the media brokerage team of Bob Heymann and Jack Minkow began serious discussions with Bill and Sonia Florian regarding the possible value of WNIB (and WNIZ) in a sale to another Chicago radio station owner. After much deliberation, in 2000 the Florians listed the stations with Heymann and Minkow. There was significant interest from a number of broadcasters with Bonneville International in November 2000 ultimately making the best offer of $165,000,000 cash for the FM licenses, the WNIB transmitter lease at the Standard Oil Building, the studio lease for WNIZ in Zion, Illinois, and the WNIZ transmitter site and tower in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.Von Rhein, John. " R.I.P. WNIB", Chicago Tribune. December 10, 2000. Retrieved February 18, 2019. With the proceeds of the sale, the Florians established the NIB Foundation, which awarded grants to music, dance, environmental, and animal rights causes.Robert Feder. " Robservations: Bill Kurtis lends voice to WGN Radio", RobertFeder.com. December 12, 2016. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
After the completion of a final program on February 11, the station was turned off.Delacoma, Wynne. " Classical station bows out with class", Chicago Sun-Times. kcstudio.com. February 13, 2001. Retrieved February 19, 2019. The following day, new owners took the air with a different format.
Bill Florian died on December 7, 2016, of lung cancer at the age of 84.Robert Feder. " Robservations: Bill Kurtis lends voice to WGN Radio", www.robertfeder.com, December 12, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
Over the years, The Drive's format evolved into a broad-based classic rock format." 10 Questions with ... Bob Stroud", All Access Music Group. April 17, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
Bonneville announced the sale of WDRV and 16 other stations, to Hubbard Broadcasting on January 19, 2011. The sale was completed on April 29, 2011.
On June 27, 2011, WDRV celebrated its 10th anniversary by organizing a free-entrance concert at the Rosemont Theatre by America and headliner Jethro Tull.
Online streaming of the "Deep Tracks" programming broadcast on WDRV's HD2 subchannel was discontinued in October 2013, due to its popularity. The high amount of traffic to the site made the stream too expensive to maintain, considering the cost of the service, royalty payments and lack of commercials to offset costs.
The station celebrated its 15th anniversary on Friday, May 20, 2016, with a concert at the Rosemont Theater featuring Boston and Jefferson Starship.
WDRV features The Sherman & Tingle Show (Brian Sherman and Steve Tingle which debuted the morning of October 31, 2016.
The station's current weekday airstaff includes Sherman & Tingle (mornings), Bob Stroud (middays), Janda Lane (afternoons), and Alice Cooper (evenings).
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