-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
Chicago: When "Red" and "Blue" meant the two NBC national networks.
- Thread starter davideduardo
- Start date
I think WENR and WLS shared the frequency. First 870 and then 890 if I'm correct.
You are 99% correct. Both stations shared time with others until they "got together" in 1929. WENR had been on 1130 to start (1925), then 1040 (1926-28), while WLS was on 870 from Day One in 1924.
Some NBC Blue/ABC programs also aired on WCFL until ABC bought WLS and merged it with WENR in 1954. WLS was not a full-time affiliate, even during the time they were on the air. Prairie Farmer programming took priority, and WLS owned most of the airtime.
I believe ABC took control of WLS in late 1959.
ABC bought a majority stake in WLS, and merged WENR into it, on April 1, 1954. The WENR calls remained on FM 94.7 after that. They bought out Prairie Farmer Magazine and its remaining interest in WLS in November 1959, with final approvals and closing on March 18, 1960. Six weeks later, "The bright new sound of Chicago radio" was born.
That's what I thought. The buy took place in late 1959.
- Status