WLIT-FM (93.9 MHz, "93.9 Lite FM") is a radio station in Chicago, Illinois. Owned by iHeartMedia, it broadcasts an adult contemporary format. Its studios are located at the Illinois Center complex in the Chicago Loop, while the station transmitter is on top of the Willis Tower.
WEBH-FM aired easy listening music, along with popular jazz on weekday evenings, a classical music block on Sundays afternoons, and Sunday morning Christian radio. In 1968, the station's transmitter was moved to Riverside Plaza, and its studios were moved to the Congress Plaza Hotel."The Sound: Music and radio: for young listeners", Chicago Tribune. February 20, 1968. Section 2, p. 15. In 1969, the station was sold to Rich Communications Corp. for $325,000.
In 1974, the station's transmitter and studios were moved to the Sears Tower. In 1978, WLAK was sold to Storer Broadcasting for $4.25 million. That December, Storer announced that it would exit radio to focus on its television stations and cable systems. While the company's other radio stations were sold in 1979, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations of the time required Storer to retain WLAK for three years. Storer sold WLAK to Viacom International for $8 million in 1981.
In March 1982, WLAK's format began to shift towards soft adult contemporary.Zorn, Eric. "Love is in the air — and it's on WLAK", Chicago Tribune. May 21, 1984. pp F1, F2. More soft vocals were added to the playlist, while the share of instrumentals was reduced." It's Beautiful: Bonneville's Verdery Trying New Approach to Vocal Music", Billboard. February 19, 1983. pp. 15, 62. Retrieved September 10, 2018. Core artists included Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand, Lionel Richie, and softer selections by the Beatles. On August 8, 1983, it completed its transition to soft AC.Zorn, Eric. "Love is in the air at 'new' WLAK", Chicago Tribune. August 6, 1983. p. 11. The instrumentals were cut entirely, and the station was branded as "Love Songs"." Love Is 'On' The Air", Radio & Records. March 9, 1984. p. 41. Retrieved September 10, 2018. Chicago Radio Guide. Vol. 1, No. 1. May 1985. p. 3. Retrieved September 10, 2018. It featured love songs from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, from artists such as Dionne Warwick, Frank Sinatra, and Gordon Lightfoot. Later, its slogan was "Songs to Sing Along With," as it continued to air a soft AC format. Chicagoland Radio Waves, MediaTies. Summer 1988. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
Over time, the station evolved to a mainstream adult contemporary format. WLIT became Chicago's only adult contemporary station on August 1, 2011, when former rival 105.9 WCFS-FM flipped to a simulcast of all-news radio 780 WBBM. This marked the first time in years Chicago only had one AC radio station.
On June 17, 2013, at 9 am, Clear Channel re-launched WLIT as "93.9 My FM" and retired the Lite FM brand in Chicago after 24 years. The first song on "My FM" was "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry. The station's playlist was adjusted to be more current/recurrent-based.
On December 1, 2017, during its annual Christmas music programming, WLIT returned to the Lite FM branding. The station also dropped its carriage of the syndicated Mario Lopez evening show, replacing it with the syndicated call-in and dedications show Delilah.
In December 2018, Robert Feder reported that WLIT planned to flip to a soft adult contemporary format. It would begin using the slogan "Relaxing Favorites" after the conclusion of its Christmas programming.
WLIT has been constantly ranked number one in Chicago, according to [[Nielsen Audio]].
On May 16, 2025, WLIT dropped its “Relaxing Favorites” slogan in favor for “More Music, More Variety”, returning to its previous AC format.
On February 1, 2016, WLIT's HD2 adopted a Regional Mexican format branded "Poder 97.5" (Power 97.5), which was rebroadcast at 97.5 MHz through FM translator W248BB.Villafañe, Veronica. " iHeart Chicago's 97.5 FM drops ESPN Deportes", Media Moves. November 24, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2018." Poder 97.5 Revamps Line-Up", Chicagoland Radio and Media. January 24, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2018. On May 6, 2019, WLIT-HD2 dropped the "Poder 97.5" Regional Mexican format and switched to iHeart's "The Breeze" soft adult contemporary format. The 97.5 translator flipped to Christian contemporary music, as an affiliate of K-Love. As of December 2019, K-Love broke away from the WCKL-FM simulcast and started simulcasting Air1 from WCKL-HD2." Poder 97.5 Chicago Ceases Operations", RadioInsight. May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2019. In early 2022, the HD2 subchannel ceased operations.
WLIT also carries the Ellen K Weekend Show from co-owned KOST Los Angeles on Saturday mornings. As with Delilah, Ellen K is syndicated by Premiere Networks.
Melissa Forman joined WLIT as morning host in 2001, remaining until 2006, but returning 14 months later.Phil Rosenthal. " Melissa Forman out at WLIT-FM -- again", Chicago Tribune. August 13, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2018.Feder, Robert. " Melissa Forman going 'home again' to Lite FM morning show", Robert Feder. May 21, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2018. Forman was again let go in 2009, and began co-hosting "You & Me This Morning" on WCIU-TV, but was again hired as morning host on WLIT in May 2018. Melissa Forman Returns To WLIT (93.9 Lite FM)/Chicago", All Access Music Group. May 21, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
WLIT's midday DJ is Robin Rock, Mick Lee is heard in afternoon drive time and Theresa Lucas overnight.
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