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WKKD (AM)

Summary

WKKD (1580 AM) was a radio station licensed to Aurora, Illinois. The station's studios, transmitter and towers were at 1880 Plain Avenue in Aurora.[3]

WKKD
Frequency1580 AM (kHz)
Programming
FormatDefunct
History
First air date
September 21, 1960[1]
Last air date
November 29, 2008[2]
Former call signs
WKKD (1960–1973)[3]
WFVR (1973–1983)[3][4]
Call sign meaning
W Kane, Kendall and DuPage[5][6]
Technical information
Facility ID72077
ClassB
Power170 watts day[7]
200 watts night[8]

History edit

Early history edit

The station was originally owned by Chicago area radio announcer, emcee, and engineer Russell G. Salter, and began broadcasting on September 21, 1960.[9][1] The station initially ran 250 watts during daytime hours only with a three tower directional pattern towards Aurora.[10][3][11]

The station began simulcasting on 95.9 WKKD-FM on February 12, 1961.[12] Bill Blough hosted a country music program in the station's first years.[13][14][15] Chicago weathercaster Tom Skilling began his career at WKKD, c. 1966, while he attended High School in Aurora.[16] By 1968, the simulcast had ended.[12] WKKD 1580 would air an easy listening format.[11]

WFVR edit

In 1973, the station's callsign was changed to WFVR, standing for "Fox Valley Radio", and the station adopted a country music format.[10][17]

Adult contemporary era edit

By 1979, the station had adopted an adult contemporary-MOR format.[18][19]

In 1983, the station's callsign was changed back to WKKD and it became part of a partial simulcast with WKKD-FM, while continuing to air an adult contemporary format.[4][20][21] On October 3, 1986, the station was granted a construction permit to broadcast during nighttime hours.[22]

Pure Gold edit

By 1988, the station had begun airing an oldies format branded as "Pure Gold".[23][24] By 1989, the station had begun nighttime operations.[24][25] In 1993, WKKD-FM began simulcasting the oldies format of WKKD.[26][27]

Real Country edit

In March 1995, AM 1580 adopted a country music format, airing Satellite Music Network's "Real Country" format.[28][29]

Viva 1580 edit

On July 1, 1996, the station adopted a Spanish language Tejano music format as "Viva 1580".[30][31]

CNN Headline News edit

In 1997, the station adopted an all-news format, airing the national audio feed of CNN Headline News.[32][33] In 2000, the Salter family sold WKKD AM & FM, as well as WRWC in Rockford, Illinois to RadioWorks for $6.5 million, plus $1.5 million in consulting and non-compete agreements.[34] In 2001, the station was sold to NextMedia Group, along with WKKD-FM, for $3.4 million.[35]

Kovas Communications ownership edit

In early 2002, the station was sold to Kovas Communications for $825,000, and it began simulcasting the ethnic programming of WONX.[36][37][38][39] In October 2004, the station began airing talk shows related to health and fitness, becoming a full-time "Health Radio" outlet February 1, 2005.[40] This format would later be simulcast on 1600 WMCW.[41]

End of operations edit

In 2007, Kovas Communications applied with the FCC to move WKKD to Silvis, Illinois.[42] In February 2008, the station was granted a construction permit to move WKKD to Silvis, Illinois, and increase its power to 1,000 watts during the day and 1,400 watts at night.[43] On November 29, 2008, the station was taken off the air and on April 10, 2009, Kovas Communications surrendered the station's license to the FCC.[2][25][44] WKKD's license was surrendered, along with 1600 WMCW's and 1600 WCGO's, in order to enable 1590 WONX (now WCGO) to increase its daytime power from 3,500 watts to 7,000 watts.[45]

References edit

  1. ^ a b 1961-62 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1961-1962. p. B-51. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Application Search Details - BLSTA-20090109ASX, fcc.gov. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d History Cards for WKKD, fcc.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Bornstein, Rollye. "Vox Jox", Billboard. December 10, 1983. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  5. ^ "What those letters on the dial mean", Chicago Tribune Magazine. March 4, 1979. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  6. ^ Peters, S.J. "Call letters take on intended meanings to project images", The Life. January 7, 1987. p. 1.
  7. ^ "WKKD AURORA, IL BL-19891004AD 1580 kHz", fcc.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  8. ^ "WKKD AURORA, IL BL-19891004AD 1580 kHz", fcc.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  9. ^ "Salter Communications: Russell G. Salter". Salter Communications. Archived from the original on October 10, 1997. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  10. ^ a b Ghrist, John R. (1996). Valley Voices: A Radio History. Crossroads Communications. p. 106-107.
  11. ^ a b "WKKD Local Rate Card #7", WKKD. August 1, 1970. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  12. ^ a b 1968 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1968. p. B-50. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  13. ^ Sachs, Bill. "Folk Talent & Tunes", Billboard. May 16, 1960. p. 47. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  14. ^ Sachs, Bill. "Folk Talent & Tunes", Billboard. July 10, 1961. p. 8. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  15. ^ Sinclair, Charles. "Vox Jox", Billboard. December 1, 1962. p. 40. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  16. ^ "Tom Skilling" Chicago Tribune. November 9, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  17. ^ 1974 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1974. p. B-61. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  18. ^ "Stations, everywhere: a listeners' guide to the AM and FM bands", Chicago Tribune Magazine. March 4, 1979. p. 37. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  19. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1979, Broadcasting, 1979. p. C-62. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  20. ^ Chicago Radio Guide, Vol. 1, Issue 1. May 1985. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  21. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1985, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1985. p. B-78. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  22. ^ "Actions", Broadcasting. October 20, 1986. p. 80. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  23. ^ Chicagoland Radio Waves, MediaTies. Summer 1988. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  24. ^ a b "WKKD AM 1580", Radio Chicago. Fall 1989. p. 18. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  25. ^ a b Public Notice Comment - BL-19891004AD, fcc.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  26. ^ Todorovich, Lisa. "Lettermen Bring Valentine Spirit To Norris", Chicago Tribune. February 12, 1993. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  27. ^ "Format Changes", The M Street Journal. Vol. 10, No. 32. August 11, 1993. p. 1. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  28. ^ Nidetz, Steve. "Reporters Have New Assignments On Ch. 2 Mission", Chicago Tribune. March 26, 1995. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  29. ^ "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 12, No. 11. March 15, 1995. p. 1. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  30. ^ "What's New @ WKKD Salter Broadcasting". Salter Broadcasting. Archived from the original on April 14, 1997. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  31. ^ "Viva 1580 Hot Tejano Radio". WKKD. Archived from the original on April 14, 1997. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  32. ^ "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 14, No. 34. August 27, 1997. p. 1. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  33. ^ "WKKD AM 1580". WKKD. Archived from the original on October 10, 1997. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  34. ^ Kirk, Jim. "Rockford Firm Adds To Its Reach", Chicago Tribune. July 28, 1999. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  35. ^ "Elsewhere", The M Street Journal. Vol. 18, No. 01. January 4, 2001. p. 10. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  36. ^ Application Search Details - BAL-20011004AAN, fcc.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  37. ^ "Radio Station WKKD (AM) Asset Purchase Agreement", fcc.gov. September 2001. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  38. ^ Duncan, James H., Jr. (2002). Duncan's Radio Market Guide. p. 64. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  39. ^ Knopper, Steve. "Station to Station", Chicago Tribune. April 14, 2002. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  40. ^ "Radio station rolls out all-health format", United Press International. February 1, 2005. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  41. ^ "Media Briefing for Wednesday, May 7, 2008", Thirteen. May 7, 2008. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  42. ^ Mayeroff, Bill. "Health Radio files for move to Silvis", The Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus. December 18, 2007. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  43. ^ Burke, David. "Chicago radio station may move to Silvis", Quad-City Times. February 25, 2008. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  44. ^ "Call Letter Changes", Medium Wave News. Volume 55, No. 2. May/June 2009. p. 11. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  45. ^ "WCGO Goes Dark, WONX -- Now WCGO -- Ups Power", All Access Music Group. April 13, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2018.

External links edit

  • FCC Station Search Details: DWKKD (Facility ID: 72077)
  • FCC History Cards for WKKD (covering 1957-1980 as WKKD / WFVR)

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