WBGX
Broadcast areaChicago Metropolitan Area
Frequency1570 kHz
Programming
FormatGospel
Ownership
OwnerGreat Lakes Radio-Chicago, LLC
History
First air date
1955[1]
Former call signs
WBEE (1955-1989)[2]
WMNN (1989)[3]
WBEE (1989-2003)[3]
Call sign meaning
"Big Gospel Express"
Technical information[4]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID40147
ClassB
Power1,100 watts day
500 watts night
Transmitter coordinates
41°36′14.00″N 87°40′45.00″W / 41.6038889°N 87.6791667°W / 41.6038889; -87.6791667
Translator(s)95.9 MHz W240EI (Harvey)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Websitegospel1570.com

WBGX (1570 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a gospel format. Located in Harvey, Illinois, United States, it serves the Chicago area. The station is currently owned by Great Lakes Radio-Chicago, LLC.[5]

WBGX is a locally owned radio station that brokers time to churches in order to serve the Chicago and South Suburban areas.

History

The station began broadcasting in 1955, and held the call sign WBEE.[2][6] It was owned by Rollins Broadcasting and aired an R&B format.[6][2] Originally running 250 watts during daytime hours only, in 1956 its power was increased to 1,000 watts.[2] In 1968, WBEE adopted an all-jazz format.[6] On September 28, 1989, its call sign was changed to WMNN, and it began airing ten minutes of financial news at the top of the hour, as an affiliate of Money Network Radio.[3][7] However, its call sign was changed back to WBEE on November 15, 1989.[3]

In October 2003, Great Lakes Radio purchased the station for $2.2 million from owner Charles Sherrell, and its call sign was changed to WBGX.[8][9][3] The station switched to a gospel music format.[9] During the following months the entire station was rebuilt. A new tower was added to increase power to serve a larger population. A new building on the corner of 60th and S. Michigan Ave was purchased in December 2003, and new studio was built which opened in May 2004. Gospel Industry Specialist Veronica Williams was the only staff member retained.

In summer 2020, former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger and Maze Jackson joined WBGX as morning hosts, after leaving WVON when they were told by station management that they could no longer discuss Mayor Lori Lightfoot, and to disconnect any callers who were critical of her.[10][11]

References

  1. ↑ 1971 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1971. p. B-64. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 History Cards for WBGX, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Call Sign History, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WBGX". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  5. ↑ AM Query Results: WBGX, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 Pruter, Robert (1992). Chicago Soul. University of Illinois Press. pp. 16-17. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  7. ↑ "WMNN AM 1570", Radio Chicago. p. 44. Winter 1990. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  8. ↑ Application Search Details – BAL-20030429ABB, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  9. 1 2 Reich, Howard. "Jazz radio experiencing yet another death in the family", Chicago Tribune. May 12, 2003. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  10. ↑ Feder, Robert "Maze Jackson, Todd Stroger quit morning show at WVON", Daily Herald. July 7, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Report: Maze Jackson, Todd Stroger Quit Morning Show At WVON/Chicago", All Access. July 7, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
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