WLS (AM)

WLS (AM) is a news/talk radio station located in Chicago, Illinois, owned by Cumulus Media. The station broadcasts on the AM radio frequency of 890 kHz and is one of the most popular talk radio stations in the United States, featuring hosts such as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Mark Levin. WLS (AM) has a long history, dating back to 1922, when it was first licensed to Kentucky and later moved to Chicago in 1924, with the help of Sam Insull and Chicago Tribune. The station has been affiliated with several networks, including NBC Radio, Mutual Broadcasting System, and Westwood One.

● History

WLS (AM) has a rich history, with its first broadcast in 1922 from Zion, Illinois, and later moving to Chicago in 1924, with the help of Sam Insull and Chicago Tribune. The station was originally owned by Sears, Roebuck and Co. and was later sold to American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in 1954, which was later acquired by The Walt Disney Company in 1995. During its early years, WLS (AM) was an affiliate of NBC Radio and later became a part of the Mutual Broadcasting System. The station has also been affiliated with Westwood One and has featured several notable hosts, including Larry Lujack, Fred Winston, and Bob Sirott. WLS (AM) has also been the flagship station for several sports teams, including the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Bears, with announcers such as Harry Caray, Jack Brickhouse, and Pat Hughes.

● Programming

WLS (AM) features a variety of programming, including news/talk shows, sports radio broadcasts, and entertainment programs. The station's weekday lineup includes shows hosted by Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Mark Levin, as well as local hosts such as John Howell and Chris Plante. WLS (AM) also broadcasts Chicago Cubs games, with announcers such as Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer, and Chicago Bears games, with announcers such as Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer. The station has also featured several notable programs, including The Larry Lujack Show, The Fred Winston Show, and The Bob Sirott Show, with guests such as Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton.

● Facilities

WLS (AM) is located in the NBC Tower in Chicago, Illinois, and its transmitter is located in Tinley Park, Illinois. The station's studios are shared with its sister stations, WKQX (FM) and WLS-FM, which are also owned by Cumulus Media. WLS (AM) has a backup transmitter located in Lockport, Illinois, which is used in case of an emergency. The station's facilities have been used by several other broadcasters, including NBCUniversal, CBS Radio, and ESPN Radio, with personalities such as Al Roker, Jim Gray, and Mike Greenberg.

● Personnel

WLS (AM) has a team of experienced personnel, including John Howell, Chris Plante, and Big John Howell, who host the station's weekday shows. The station's sports team includes announcers such as Pat Hughes, Ron Coomer, Jeff Joniak, and Tom Thayer, who broadcast Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears games. WLS (AM) also has a team of news anchors and reporters, including Jennifer Keiper and Nick Gale, who provide news updates and coverage of local events, such as the Chicago Marathon and the Taste of Chicago. The station has also featured several notable personalities, including Larry Lujack, Fred Winston, and Bob Sirott, who have worked with other notable broadcasters, such as Howard Stern, Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity.

● Awards_and_recognition

WLS (AM) has received several awards and recognitions, including the Marconi Award for News/Talk Station of the Year and the NAB Marconi Radio Award for Large Market Station of the Year. The station has also been recognized by the Illinois Broadcasters Association and the Chicago Headline Club, with awards such as the Silver Dome Award and the Peter Lisagor Award. WLS (AM) has also been named one of the top talk radio stations in the United States by Talkers Magazine, with hosts such as Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity being named among the most influential talk radio hosts in the country, along with other notable hosts, such as Mark Levin and Michael Savage.

● Technical_information

WLS (AM) broadcasts on the AM radio frequency of 890 kHz, with a power output of 50,000 watts. The station's transmitter is located in Tinley Park, Illinois, and its antenna is a directional antenna that provides coverage to the Chicago metropolitan area. WLS (AM) is also available on HD Radio and can be streamed online through the station's website and mobile app, with partners such as iHeartRadio and TuneIn. The station's technical facilities are maintained by a team of experienced engineers, who ensure that the station's signal is strong and clear, with equipment from manufacturers such as Harris Corporation and GatesAir.