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WGN (AM)

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WGN (AM)
NameWGN
CityChicago, Illinois
AreaChicago metropolitan area
BrandingWGN Radio 720
Airdate01 June 1924
Frequency720 kHz
Power50,000 watts (day)
Erp5,000 watts (night)
ClassA (clear-channel)
Facility id74166
Coordinates41, 52, 44, N...
Callsign meaningWorld's Greatest Newspaper (refers to the Chicago Tribune)
Former callsignsWDAP (1922–1924)
OwnerNexstar Media Group
LicenseeWGN Radio LLC
Sister stationsWGN-TV
Webcast[https://wgnradio.com/stream/ Listen Live]
Websitehttps://wgnradio.com

WGN (AM) is a commercial clear-channel radio station licensed to Chicago, Illinois, broadcasting on 720 kHz with a talk radio format. Owned by Nexstar Media Group through its WGN Radio LLC subsidiary, it is the flagship station of the WGN Radio Network and the radio partner of WGN-TV. Since its 1924 launch by the Chicago Tribune, it has been a dominant voice in Midwestern broadcasting, known for its extensive news coverage, sports programming, and local personality-driven shows.

History

The station began broadcasting in 1922 as **WDAP**, owned by the Chicago Federation of Labor and later acquired by the Chicago Tribune's publisher, Robert R. McCormick. It adopted the WGN call letters in 1924, an acronym for the *Tribune*'s longtime motto, "World's Greatest Newspaper." Under McCormick's leadership, WGN became a key outlet for the newspaper's editorial stance and invested heavily in technical infrastructure, including a pioneering link to the Tribune Tower. It was a founding member of the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1934 and later launched its own WGN Television in 1948. The station was sold by the Tribune Company to Nexstar Media Group in 2023, ending nearly a century of direct newspaper ownership.

Programming

WGN airs a talk radio format heavily focused on local Chicago news, traffic, weather, and community affairs. Its weekday lineup features long-running local personality shows such as *The WGN Morning News* and *The Steve Cochran Show*, alongside nationally syndicated programs like *The Markley, Van Camp & Robbins Show*. The station is the flagship broadcaster for Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball games, a partnership dating to 1925, and also carries Chicago Blackhawks National Hockey League contests. Weekend programming includes specialty shows on gardening, home improvement, and finance, as well as brokered programming and replays of popular weekday segments.

Facilities

WGN's studios and business offices are located at 435 North Michigan Avenue in the Tribune Tower in downtown Chicago. Its transmitter site is in Elk Grove Village, utilizing a directional antenna system to protect other stations on 720 kHz, particularly KDWN in Las Vegas. The station broadcasts with 50,000 watts during the day, covering much of the Midwestern United States, but reduces power to 5,000 watts at night due to skywave propagation and Federal Communications Commission regulations governing clear-channel stations.

Personnel

Notable current on-air personalities include morning host Lisa Dent, afternoon talk show host Steve Cochran, and sports director Dave Eanet. The station's news department is led by Mary Sandberg Boyle. Historically, WGN has been home to iconic broadcasters such as Wally Phillips, a top-rated morning host for decades, and Bob Collins, whose show dominated Chicago ratings. Other notable alumni include Roy Leonard, Orion Samuelson, and Max Armstrong, whose long tenures defined the station's sound.

Awards_and_recognition

WGN has received numerous awards for its journalism and community service, including multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association for overall excellence and continuing coverage. The station's investigative unit has been honored with awards from the Associated Press and the Illinois Broadcasters Association. In 2011, it was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in recognition of its enduring impact on the radio industry and service to the Chicago community.

Controversies

The station has faced criticism over its editorial direction, particularly during its ownership by the Chicago Tribune, with some accusing it of reflecting the newspaper's conservative slant under Robert R. McCormick. In 2020, WGN drew significant public backlash and protests for airing a segment deemed racially insensitive, leading to an on-air apology from management and diversity training for staff. The 2023 sale to Nexstar Media Group sparked concerns among listeners and industry observers about potential cuts to local programming and news resources in favor of syndicated content.

Technical_information

WGN broadcasts on 720 kHz, a clear-channel frequency designated for dominant service, with a Federal Communications Commission facility ID of 74166. It uses a directional antenna with a three-tower array during daytime operations and switches to a two-tower pattern at night. Under current FCC rules, it is classified as a Class A station. Its analog transmission can be heard across the Midwestern United States during the day, with nighttime coverage limited by its power reduction to protect co-channel stations like KDWN in Nevada.

Category:Radio stations in Chicago Category:Clear-channel radio stations in the United States Category:Nexstar Media Group