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WKQX (101.1 FM broadcasting) is a commercial radio station licensed to Chicago, Illinois, featuring an alternative rock radio 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.
WKQX is best known for carrying an alternative rock format that, from 1992 until 2011 and since 2022, has used the "Q101" brand. A sale of the station to Merlin Media in August 2011 saw outgoing owner Emmis Communications sell the "Q101 Chicago" name, intellectual property and all underlying trademarks for a unrelated internet radio station bearing the same name, while WKQX itself flipped to all-news radio under Merlin Media as WWWN, then to adult contemporary as WIQI. Reverting to alternative under a long-term local marketing agreement by Cumulus Media in 2014, the station branded instead under the restored WKQX call sign until Cumulus reacquired the Q101 trademarks on May 3, 2022. A former NBC Radio owned-and-operated station, WKQX's studios were located in the Merchandise Mart from the station's 1948 launch to 2016; the station relocated to the NBC Tower, the current home of onetime sister station WMAQ-TV, on August 4, 2016." Tour Of Our New Home!", WKQX. August 4, 2016. Retrieved February 10, 2019.Feder, Robert. " Cumulus Media moving to NBC Tower", RobertFeder.com. November 18, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
WKQX-HD2 airs a classic rock format branded as "The Loop" that was previously heard on the former WLUP (97.9 FM), now WCKL." WLUP-FM's Mancow Muller: 'The Loop Meant Something.'", Inside Radio. March 7, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
The station began airing a classical music format afternoons and evenings in 1966, though it continued to simulcast WMAQ during mornings and early afternoons." NBC plans programming for its O&O FM's", Broadcasting. July 25, 1966. pp. 38, 40. Retrieved February 8, 2019." Stations By Format", Billboard. November 19, 1966. p. 38. Retrieved February 8, 2019. By the early 1970s, it had adopted an easy listening format.Paige, Earl. " WMAQ Keeping Up With MOR; Uses Distinguishable Sound", Billboard. October 9, 1971. p. 17. Retrieved February 8, 2019. In 1970, the station's transmitter was moved to the John Hancock Center.
In late 1972, WMAQ-FM adopted an automated adult hits format, with programming from TM Productions." TM's Adult Stereo Rock", Billboard. December 30, 1972. p. 20. Retrieved February 8, 2019. In 1974, the station's call letters were changed to WJOI. In January 1975, WMAQ 670 adopted a country music format.Hall, Claude. " Chicago's WMAQ Hits Air", Billboard. January 11, 1975. p. 18. Retrieved February 8, 2019. WJOI followed suit, and aired an automated country music format aimed at a somewhat younger audience than WMAQ, with programming from TM Productions.
In June 1975, the station's call letters were changed to WNIS-FM, and it adopted an all news format carrying NBC Radio Network's News and Information Service (NIS)." Journalism Briefs", Broadcasting. March 15, 1976. p. 100. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
In January 1977, the station's call sign was changed to WKQX, and it adopted an album-oriented rock format." NIS orphans plan their next moves", Broadcasting. November 22, 1976. p. 25. Retrieved February 8, 2019.Hall, Claude. " Vox Jox", Billboard. January 22, 1977. p. 58. Retrieved February 8, 2019. The program director was Bob Pittman, who later created MTV and is now CEO of iHeartMedia. Bob Heymann served as assistant program director and morning drive host, and Bob King was the music director. Mitch Michaels did afternoon drive and Lorna Ozmon did nights.
In the spring of 1977, Chicago gained another AOR station, WLUP,Hall, Claude. " 'War Babies' Target of WLUP", Billboard. March 19, 1977. p. 16. Retrieved February 8, 2019. resulting in four FM rock stations (WKQX, WXRT, WLS-FM, and WLUP) competing against each other. By January 1979, WDAI switched to an all-disco format and WKQX became an adult contemporary station;Baker, Cary. " Hawaiian Purchases Chicago WLUP-FM", Billboard. January 20, 1979. p. 28. Retrieved February 8, 2019.Penchansky, Alan. " Chi Turmoil: Changes in Format and Station Personnel Charged to Blizzard", Billboard. March 24, 1979. p. 22. Retrieved February 8, 2019. Joel Sebastian hosted mornings." Stations, everywhere: a listeners' guide to the AM and FM bands", Chicago Tribune Magazine. March 4, 1979. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
From 1983 to 1993, Robert Murphy was the morning drive host on Q101.Feder, Robert. " Robert Murphy out at WLS FM", RobertFeder.com. December 20, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2019.Stark, Phyllis; Boehlert, Eric; Borzillo, Carrie. " Vox Jox", Billboard. May 22, 1993. p. 111. Retrieved February 9, 2019. Tommy Edwards joined the station as program director in 1986.McCormick, Moria. " New WKQX PD Will 'Freshen' Station's Sound", Billboard. March 1, 1986. pp. 11, 15. Retrieved February 9, 2019. Starting in 1987, NBC began a two-year-long divestiture of their radio properties.Stevenson, Richard W. " NBC to Sell Its Radio Networks", The New York Times. July 21, 1987. Retrieved February 9, 2019. In 1988, Emmis Communications purchased WKQX, along with four other NBC radio stations, for $121.5 million.Storch, Charles. " 5-Station Deal Bolsters Broadcaster", Chicago Tribune. February 21, 1988. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
In the mid to late 1980s, WKQX aired an adult top 40 format, with the slogan "Today's Music".Ross, Sean. " Adult Top 40's Eclectic Mix Thrives: Less AC, Hard Hits Spark Odd Format", Billboard. August 20, 1988. p. 10. Retrieved February 9, 2019. Chicagoland Radio Waves, MediaTies. Summer 1988. Retrieved February 9, 2019. Q101 continued to evolve,Ross, Sean; Stark, Phyllis; Levy, Rochelle. " Vox Jox", Billboard. December 7, 1991. p. 73. Retrieved February 9, 2019. and on July 14, 1992, WKQX adopted an alternative rock format as "Chicago's New Rock Alternative".Stark, Phyllis; Boehlert, Eric; Borzillo, Carrie. " Vox Jox", Billboard. July 25, 1992. p. 65. Retrieved February 9, 2019. Bill Gamble was the station's Program Director.Stark, Phyllis. " Chicago's Bill Gamble Keeps WKQX In Tune With Listeners", Billboard. July 8, 1995. p. 84. Retrieved February 9, 2019. In July 1993, former MTV VJ Mark Goodman was hired as morning host, replacing Robert Murphy, but he remained in this position less than a year.Kening, Dan. " For Mark Goodman Deejaying at Q-101 Is No Radical Departure", Chicago Tribune. September 14, 1993. Retrieved February 9, 2019.Stark, Phyllis. " Vox Jox", Billboard. May 14, 1994. p. 98. Retrieved February 9, 2019. In July 1998, Q101 became the new home of Mancow Muller's morning show after he left WKSC-FM the previous month.Kirk, Jim. " So Far, Muller's Mates Aren't Jumping Ship", Chicago Tribune. June 30, 1998. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
Specialty shows on the station, like Local 101, showcased promising local acts, many of whom went on to achieve greater prominence.Kyles, Kyra. " Chicago Playlist", Chicago Tribune. July 18, 2008. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
On April 1, 2005, WKQX went "on shuffle", with its playlist expanded from 200 to approximately 1,000 songs. Instead of focusing solely on new music, they expanded their playlist to include classic alternative rock from the 1980s and 1990s, and some 1970s artists. Mancow was dropped by the station on July 14, 2006, with Emmis Communications replacing his show with one that they felt would better appeal to their target demographic." Q101 Announces Plans For New Morning Show", Emmis Communications. July 11, 2006. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
On September 18, 2006, Q101 launched The Morning Fix, a morning show led by former WXDX-FM Pittsburgh personality Alan Cox, and presented in a manner similar to The Daily Show, featuring a blend of current events and pop culture.Thomas, Mike. " Q101 unveils Mancow-free morning cast", Chicago Sun-Times. August 31, 2006. Retrieved February 9, 2019." Q101 Calls It 'The Morning Fix'", All Access Music Group. September 28, 2006. Retrieved February 9, 2019. However, on November 9, 2007, The Morning Fix underwent major changes when it was decided that morning airtime would be more wisely used playing music; the changes resulted in only 2 of the shows' original 6 members remaining, Alan Cox and Jim "Jesus" Lynam. On August 1, 2008, Cox and Lynam were let go, with management moving Brian Sherman and Steve Tingle from afternoons to the morning slot.
During its tenure as an alternative rock station, WKQX served as host to several music festivals and events, mainly Jamboree at Tweeter Center in Tinley Park every June, and Twisted (formerly Twisted Christmas) at various venues every December.VanOsdol, James. " Q101 Timeline", Time Out Chicago. August 16, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2019.Kot, Greg. " Warm and fuzzy fest", Chicago Tribune. May 21, 2001. Retrieved March 9, 2019." WKQX-FM Announces Latest 'Twisted' Concert", Chicagoland Radio & Media. October 25, 2010. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
The entire airstaff at Q101 was dismissed upon Merlin Media's formal takeover that July 14.Feder, Robert. " New Q101 is about to take listeners for a ride", Time Out Chicago. July 13, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2019. That same day, Emmis sold off the "Q101" name, related intellectual properties, and the Q101.com web domain, to Broadcast Barter Radio Networks." Q101's Past, Present & Future To Continue Online At New Q101.com", Chicagoland Radio and Media. July 14, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
Q101's final on-air staffed show, "Local 101", concluded at approximately 1:01 a.m. on July 15; the program ended with "Tonight, Tonight" by Chicago-based The Smashing Pumpkins, The Cure's "Friday I'm in Love" (the first song played at Q101's 1992 inception as an alternative station), and formal goodbyes by Chris Payne, Pogo, and other Q101 staffers." Q101 Says Goodbye", Format Change Archive. Retrieved February 13, 2019. Q101 would continue solely as an online stream programmed, in part, by Emmis' KROX-FM, before BBRN eventually relaunched it as an internet-only station. WKQX itself continued without on-air staffing until Midnight on July 19; after playing "Closing Time" by Semisonic," Q87.7 Chicago Debuts", Format Change Archive. Retrieved February 13, 2019. WKQX began stunting with adult contemporary music along with news reports as "FM New". Merlin's WWWN/Chicago Flips To All-News", All Access Music Group. July 29, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2019.Venta, Lance. " Merlin Media Call Letter Changes", Radio Insight. April 8, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2019. Robert Murphy returned to the station after 19 years to host mornings along with Lise Dominique for a few weeks until the full format switch took place." Sneak Peek at the New Station Coming to 101.1", Chicagoland Radio and Media. July 18, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
At the outset, "FM News 101.1" sought to differentiate itself from WBBM by highlighting its round-the-clock newswheel (as opposed to Chicago Bears flagship WBBM), aiming for a looser, less formal news presentation with a conversational tone, and deviating from hard news in favor of lifestyle, health and entertainment features." Merlin Media Officially Announces FM News 101.1 Format", Chicagoland Radio and Media. July 31, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2019. The initial on-air and newsroom staff at "FM News 101.1" included several with Chicago radio ties, including Debra Dale and Jennifer O'Neill (both WBBM alumna), Brant Miller and Monica DeSantis (WLS alums), and Ed Curran and Rob Hart (WGN alums). The station's call letters were changed again in December 2011 to WIQI.
"FM News 101.1" was criticized in its early weeks for what was seen as an amateurish, unpolished, and unprepared presentation.Feder, Robert. " "Power play: Newsradio shows off clout in simulcast launch", Time Out Chicago. August 4, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2019." Learning the Lessons of FM News 101.1", Marcus Brown Media. July 17, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2019. Moreover, Merlin's top management (including Michaels) admitted that the format for both stations were still a work in progress, and "FM News" underwent a continual series of format adjustments. These included: the addition of sports and business updates; the "informal" testing of a news partnership with WMAQ-TV;Feder, Robert. " NBC 5 testing partnership with Merlin's FM News", Time Out Chicago. January 23, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2019. and the addition of daily commentary segments from Clark Howard and Lionel. Later staff changes and reassignments at the station would lead to an increased reliance on "shared anchor arrangements" with its New York counterpart WEMP,Feder, Robert. " Merlin Media finds its man for 'Underground Alternative,'", Time Out Chicago, April 27, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2019. as well as a non-linear, voicetracking-style of arranging reports, sometimes without any anchor transitions. WIQI also began an advertising campaign that included a controversial series of billboards using the face of imprisoned former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and the "He Never Listens... to FM News 101.1" tagline.Marek, Lynne. " Merlin Media slaps Blagojevich on Chicago billboards", Crain's Chicago Business, May 3, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
By June 2012, WIQI began phasing in blocks of "Expanded News Coverage" where the station entered a programming approach similar to talk radio.Feder, Robert. " "News goes from bad to worse for Merlin Media", Time Out Chicago, June 14, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2019. Personalities such as Mancow Muller, Neil Steinberg, Kevin Matthews, Mike North and Dan Jiggets and former WGN morning host Greg Jarrett all hosted informal auditions under the "Expanded News Coverage" banner." Mike North & Dan Jiggetts Reunite On WIQI-FM", Chicagoland Radio and Media. July 5, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2019. Jarrett himself was promoted to host morning drive on WIQI during the formats' final three weeks of existence." Even More Changes at WIQI-FM: Jarrett to Mornings, Talks Shows, More", Chicagoland Radio and Media. June 22, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
In spite of constant format tweaks and alterations, the all-news format failed to achieve better than a 0.4 Arbitron ratings share. "FM News" was outperformed by the final ratings book for "Q101" and WKQX-LP, the aural signal of a low-power analog television station operated by Merlin under a local marketing agreement with an alternative rock format dubbed "Q87.7".Feder, Robert. " WLS welcomes 'friggin' radio legend' Dahl back for more", Time Out Chicago. August 9, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2019."Venta, Lance. " In Memoriam: FM News 2011-2012", Radio Insight. July 20, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
After one month on the air, "i101" would move towards a hot adult contemporary approach." "WIQI-FM Flips Formats Once Again", Chicagoland Radio and Media. August 16, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2019." WIQI Chicago Shifts Current", Radio Insight. August 16, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2019. "i101" included some limited use of on-air staff, including morning host and former WLUP-FM staffer Jane Monzures, who shared morning duties with fellow "Loop" alum Pete McMurray between August and October 2012." Merlin Media Releases Pete McMurray", Chicagoland Radio and Media. October 17, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2019. In late 2013, the station shifted to a rhythmic adult contemporary format.Venta, Lance. " I101 Chicago shifts to Rhythmic Hot AC", Radio Insight. December 9, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
In announcing the LMA, Cumulus indicated that it would move the alternative rock format from WKQX-LP onto the 101.1 facility. The move took place on January 10, 2014, when the stations began a transitional simulcast. Alternative Returns To 101.1 Chicago", RadioInsight. January 10, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2019. "Closing Time" by Semisonic was the last song played on "i101", while the first song played on the 101.1/87.7 simulcast was "Times Like These" by Foo Fighters. The simulcast ended February 17, 2014, when Merlin Media's LMA for 87.7 ended and Tribune Broadcasting began a local marketing agreement for the station (which is now WRME-LD). The WKQX call sign was restored on the 101.1 facility on January 17.
101 WKQX's airstaff initially included Brian Phillips, Lou Lombardo, Lauren O'Neil, PJ Kling, and "wALT" (Walter Flakus of Stabbing Westward). In September 2015, Portland radio personality Marconi joined WKQX to host weeknights (replacing PJ Kling).Feder, Robert. " WKQX finally comes alive at night", RobertFeder.com. August 18, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2019. Marconi left WKQX in January 2018." Marconi Exits Nights At WKQX/Chicago", All Access Music Group. January 3, 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2019. Brian Sherman, former on-air personality at Q101 from 2001 to 2011, and one half of the duo Sherman and Tingle, was hired as an on-air personality for weekends. Sherman retained his weekday on air role at suburban classic rocker WFXF. Russell Tanzillo from North Central College's WONC joined as a weekend host in September 2015. In April 2016, the station hired James VanOsdol, another former Q101 personality, to host a new local music showcase titled "Demo 312" (in reference to Chicago's well-known main area code).Feder, Robert. " Robservations: Tina Sfondeles wins Sun-Times political beat", RobertFeder.com. April 7, 2016. Retrieved February 10, 2019. In November 2015, WKQX and WLUP announced their move from the Merchandise Mart, where the 101.1 frequency has been broadcast from since first taking the airwaves in 1948, in favor of a new studio at the NBC Tower. Until the new facility was completed, WKQX broadcast from a temporary facility at 190 N. State. On August 4, 2016, the move of WKQX and WLUP to the NBC Tower was finalized.
In January 2018, as part of Cumulus Media's bankruptcy proceedings, the company requested that a U.S. Bankruptcy Court release the company from several "extremely unprofitable" contracts, including its LMAs with WLUP and WKQX. Cumulus stated that under the agreement, which carries a monthly fee of $600,000, the company had lost $8.4 million on the two Merlin stations. WLUP was sold by Merlin to the Educational Media Foundation. On April 3, 2018, it was announced that Cumulus would acquire WKQX and the intellectual property of WLUP for $18 million. The sale to Cumulus was consummated on June 15, 2018. Application Search Details - BALH-20180404AAI, fcc.gov. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
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