Entercom owns the WBBM-AM – News radio 780 – Chicago, IL, and airs on 780 kHz and 105 MHz. The station’s transmitter is located in Itasca while the headquarters are in Loop neighborhood at the Tow Prudential Plaza. The station is Class A, and it airs on clear AM frequency. During the day, the signals of the station guarantee coverage in the whole of Illinois, Indiana, and large parts of Michigan and Lowa. At night, the signal is strongest in the Midwest of America although it is also available in most of the eastern half of North America.
History
Since 2011, most of the programs in the radio station have been simulcast over WCFS-FM. WBBM-AM – Newsradio 780 – Chicago has a long history as one of the radio stations in the United States. The station dates as back as 1911. The journey of the radio station began when Leslie and Ralph Atlas started a spark station. It was only ten years later that the station got a license as the World’s Best Battery Maker, WBBM, which is still part of the name of the station.
The pioneers of the radio station sold the battery firm in 1924, to dedicate more time to the radio station. It is in the same year that the station headquarters were moved to Chicago. 1n 1928, the station moved to 770 kHz. Also, in 1928, the radio station began their journey with CBS, when it became a charter affiliate. While CBS realized that the radio station had a lot of growth potential, they started having a controlling interest.
By 1929, ownership of the station was a shareholding between CBS and Atlases, the station manager. He retained 33% of the total worth of the company while CBS bought the rest. Apart from being the station manager, Atlases was also promoted to the position of vice president of the CBS’ Central Division. Through the years, the station expanded both in terms of audience and coverage.
By 1935, the power output at the radio station was already at 50000 watts. As a result, the station could now the larger part of North America at night. In 1941, the station changed to 780 kHz. All this time until 11956, the station operated from different locations in Chicago. In 1956, WBBM-AM – News radio 780 – Chicago started working from North McClurg in a converted arena although it retained the Chicago locations. It was only in 2006 that the station moved to its current location in Two Prudential Plaza.
All this time, the radio station was based on Middle Of Road (MOR) programs. Many of the times they broadcast music from famous artists of the time. However, in 1964, the station started incorporating news and talks in their programs. Also, the radio station has operated as a flagship for various stations such as the Chicago Bears.
Famous Programs:
One of the earliest programs in the station is the Chicago White Sox. The program was based on an American team that plays in Chicago, Illinois. The team is one of the major league clubs in Chicago, together with Chicago clubs. The White Sox is remembered for a series of rewards, such as the 1906 World Series.
The station also aired games by the Chicago Blackhawks. The team is also based in Chicago Illinois and is an ice hockey team. The team has won more than five Stanley Cup Championships since it was founded in 1926. It is also part of the National Hockey League in the United States.
Major Achievements and Drawbacks:
Over the years since its establishment, the radio station has faced stiff competition from other stations. The stiffest competition they faced was from the WGN radio station on the number one station in the Chicago market. In 2009, Arbitron estimated that WGN had gained more popularity in terms of listeners as compared to WBBM-AM – Newsradio 780 – Chicago. However, this did not go on for long before the station reclaimed their fame as the leader in WGN declined.
2014 was a successful year for the radio station. The Chicago cubs reported that they would change their flagship from WGN to this station. This was a significant achievement for the station and largely contributed to its popularity.
Major Presenters:
Felicia Middlebrooks is one of the best presenters that the station has. Together with Pat Cassidy, Felicia Middlebrooks is the morning drive News anchor. Her show is ranked the best morning show in Chicago. David Mitchel was also a renowned and the longest-serving news anchor in the station before his demise in 2006.
Other influential individuals in the station include Chris Boden and Brian Davis. Boden is a sports reporter and also the host for the Chicago Blackhawks at the station. He has hosted famous programs related to spots such as Bears Blitz, Bears Recap, and Bears Postgame. Brian Davis, on the other hand, is a play announcer, with the most popular one including Okhalama City Thunder.
Contact Details:
Phone: +1 312-297-7800
Official Website: https://wbbm780.radio.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WBBMNewsradio/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WBBMNewsradio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wbbmnewsradio/
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