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WNDZ

WNDZ
Broadcast areaChicago metropolitan area
Frequency750 kHz
BrandingAccess Radio Chicago
Programming
FormatEthnic brokered programming
Ownership
Owner
WCPY
History
First air date
May 13, 1987; 37 years ago (1987-05-13)[1]
Call sign meaning
The Windy City
Technical information[2]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID73316
ClassD
Power15,000 watts days only
Transmitter coordinates
41°33′49.14″N 87°9′18.12″W / 41.5636500°N 87.1550333°W / 41.5636500; -87.1550333
Links
Public license information

WNDZ (750 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station broadcasting an ethnic brokered programming format. Licensed to Portage, Indiana, it serves the Chicago metropolitan area. The station is owned by Newsweb Corporation.

WNDZ is a daytimer station. It transmits 15,000 watts. To send its signal toward Chicago from its transmitter site, it uses a directional antenna with a three-tower array. Because 750 AM is a clear channel frequency reserved for Class A station WSB in Atlanta, WNDZ must go off the air at sunset to avoid interference. The towers are on Bay Road at Robbins Road in Portage.[3]

Programming

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WNDZ is a brokered programming station, where hosts pay for their time on the air and may advertise their products and services or seek donations.

History

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WNDZ began broadcasting on May 13, 1987, as a daytime-only station, running 2,500 watts, and was owned by Universal Broadcasting, with Rick Schwartz as its first General Manager.[1] The business office and studios were located in Lansing, Illinois.[1] They are currently on Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago.[4] The station originally aired a mixture of religious and ethnic programming.[5] In 1992, the station was sold to Douglas Broadcasting, for $2 million.[6][7]

In 1994, the station joined Douglas Broadcasting's new AsiaOne network.[8][9] In 1997, the station's power was increased to 5,000 watts.[10][11] In late May 1998, the station switched from brokered programming to the motivational "Personal Achievement Radio" network, which moved from WYPA 820.[12][13] Later that year, the station was purchased by Z-Spanish Radio.[14][15] In 2000, Z-Spanish Radio was acquired by Entravision Communications.[16]

In 2004, Entravision Communications sold the station to Newsweb Corporation, along with 99.9 FM WRZA, for $24 million.[17][18] In 2007, the station's power was increased to 15,000 watts.[19][20] The format has remained brokered for most of the station's history.

References

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  1. ^ a b c The Broadcasting Yearbook 1990, Broadcasting, 1990. p. B-111. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  2. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WNDZ". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ^ Radio-Locator.com/WNDZ
  4. ^ "WNDZ-Am Main Studio".
  5. ^ "WNDZ AM 750", Radio Chicago, Spring 1991. p. 46. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  6. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1994, Broadcasting & Cable, 1994. p. B-128. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  7. ^ Unmacht, Robert. "Proposed Station Transfers", The M-Street Journal. February 10, 1992. p. 4. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  8. ^ Borzillo, Carrie. "Asian Network Debuts", Billboard, July 2, 1994. p. 102. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  9. ^ Nidetz, Steve. "Mendte's 5 Emmys Giving His Critics Plenty To Ponder", Chicago Tribune, October 12, 1994. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  10. ^ Unmacht, Robert; McCrummen, Pat (1998). The M-Street Radio Directory. p. 234. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  11. ^ Application Search Details, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  12. ^ "Format Changes & Updates", The M-Street Journal. June 10, 1998. Vol. 15 No. 23. p. 1. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  13. ^ Kirk, Jim. "Spanish-language Network May Buy WYPA", Chicago Tribune, June 2, 1998. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  14. ^ "Elsewhere", The M-Street Journal. July 1, 1998. Vol. 15 No. 26. p. 9. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  15. ^ Kirk, Jim. "Mickey Conquers WTAQ In Radio Cat And Mouse", Chicago Tribune, July 7, 1998. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  16. ^ "Signs of the Times", Radio & Records, 30th Anniversary Issue. 2003. p. 113. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  17. ^ Jacobson, Adam. "Entravision Exits Windy City", Radio & Records, January 23, 2004. p. 4. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  18. ^ Lazaroff, Leon. "Democratic donor plans to purchase 3 stations", Chicago Tribune, July 27, 2004. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  19. ^ Application Search Details, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  20. ^ "Technical Exhibit Amendment to Application for Construction Permit WNDZ, Inc. Radio Station WNDZ Portage, Indiana", du Treil, Lundin & Rackley, Inc. FCC.gov. April 7, 2005. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
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