WKBM
{{short description|Relevant Radio station in Sandwich, Illinois}}
{{For|broadcasting stations that have previously held the WKBM call sign|WKBM (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WKBM
| logo = WNTD WKBM Relevant Radio 950 930 logo.png
| logo_upright =
| logo_alt =
| city = Sandwich, Illinois
| area = Chicago metropolitan area
| branding = Relevant Radio
| airdate = {{Start date and age|1986|5}}
| frequency = 930 kHz
| translators = {{Radio Relay|{{frequency|99.1|MHz}}|W256DU|Cloverdale}}
| language = English
| format = Catholic radio
| network = Relevant Radio
| power = {{ubl|2,500 watts (day)|4,200 watts (night)}}
| class = B
| facility_id = 48240
| coordinates = {{coord|41|36|26|N|88|27|11|W|region:US-IL_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| callsign_meaning =
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WBYG (1986–1988)|WAUR (1988–2014)}}
| owner = Relevant Radio
| licensee = Relevant Radio, Inc.
| licensing_authority = FCC
| webcast = [https://relevantradio.com/wp-content/media/player.html Listen Live]
| website = {{URL|www.relevantradio.com}}
| sister_stations = {{hlist|WNTD|WWCA}}
}}
WKBM (930 kHz) is an American AM radio station broadcasting a Catholic radio format.{{cite web|url=http://www1.arbitron.com/sip/sip.do#access |date=Summer 2009 |title=Station Information Profile |publisher=Arbitron |access-date=November 10, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923211912/http://www1.arbitron.com/sip/sip.do |archive-date=September 23, 2009 }} It is licensed to Sandwich, Illinois, and largely simulcasts with sister station WNTD 950 AM Chicago. They are owned by Relevant Radio, based in Lincolnshire, Illinois.{{cite web |url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WKBM |title=WKBM Facility Record |work=United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division |access-date=November 10, 2009}}
By day, WKBM is powered at 2,500 watts. At night, it increases power to 4,500 watts. To protect other stations on 930 AM from interference, it uses a directional antenna with a five-tower array. The transmitter is on Legion Road at Immanuel Road in Yorkville, Illinois.[https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?sr=Y&s=C&call=Wkbm&nav=home Radio-Locator.com/WKBM] Programming is also heard on 34-watt FM translator W256DU at 99.1 MHz in Cloverdale, Illinois.[https://radio-locator.com/info/W256DU-FX Radio-Locator.com/W256DU]
History
=Full service era=
The station began broadcasting in {{Start date and age|1986|5}}.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1991/B-Radio-AL-MT-1991-B&W.pdf The Broadcasting Yearbook 1991], Broadcasting. 1991. p. B-96. Retrieved August 30, 2018. The original call sign was WBYG.[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=48240&Callsign=WKBM48240 Call Sign History], fcc.gov. Retrieved August 31, 2018. The station was originally owned by Larry Nelson.Ghrist, John R. (1996). Valley Voices: A Radio History. Crossroads Communications. p. 78. On April 11, 1988, the station's call sign was changed to WAUR. From the late 1980s until 1990 aired a full service format with country music and news, information, and talk programming.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/City-Magazines-Misc/Chicagoland-Radio-Waves-Two-Issues.pdf Chicagoland Radio Waves], MediaTies. Summer 1988 & Spring/Summer 1989. Retrieved August 30, 2018."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/Chicago_Magazine/Chicago-1989-Fall.pdf WAUR AM 930]", Radio Chicago. Fall 1989. p. 8. Retrieved August 30, 2018."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/Chicago_Magazine/Chicago-1990-Summer.pdf WAUR AM 930]", Radio Chicago. Summer 1990. p. 38. Retrieved August 30, 2018. In 1990 the country music was replaced with Oldies, with the station airing full-service format with a strong emphasis on local issues."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/Chicago_Magazine/Chicago-1990-Fall.pdf WAUR AM 930]", Radio Chicago. p. 40. Fall 1990. Retrieved August 30, 2018.Doyle, Mary K. "[https://archive.today/20131230051045/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1993-01-31/features/9303174067_1_radio-station-police-station-wls/2 On The Air - Larry Nelson Stations Himself At The Forefront In Local Broadcasting]", Chicago Tribune. January 31, 1993. Retrieved August 30, 2018. It continued to air this format until its sale to the Children's Broadcasting Corporation in 1997.Feder, Robert. "Kids get their own 24-hour radio station". Chicago Sun-Times. October 16, 1996."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1997-01.pdf Format Changes & Updates]", The M Street Journal. Vol. 14 No. 1. January 8, 1997. p. 2. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
=Children's Broadcasting Corporation=
On February 5, 1997, the station was purchased by Children's Broadcasting Corporation for $3.9 million, and it became the Chicago affiliate of the "Radio AAHS" network, airing children's programming."[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CHILDREN%27S+BROADCASTING+ACQUIRES+RADIO+BROADCAST+LICENSE+OF+WAUR-AM,...-a019082139 Children's broadcasting acquires radio broadcast license of WAUR-AM, Chicago.]", Business Wire. January 31, 1997. Retrieved August 30, 2018."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1997/BC-1997-02-03.pdf Station & Cable Trading]", Broadcasting & Cable. February 3, 1997. Retrieved August 30, 2018. After Radio AAHS discontinued operations in January 1998, Children's Broadcasting Corporation, began leasing time on its stations until it could find buyers."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1998-02.pdf M Street Bazaar: People Products and Programming]", The M Street Journal. Vol. 14 No. 1. February 25, 1998. p. 10. Retrieved August 31, 2018. In February 1998, WAUR, along with the other nine CBC stations, became an outlet for "Beat Radio", which broadcast electronic dance music 12 hours each night."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1998-02.pdf Format Changes & Updates]", The M Street Journal. Vol. 14 No. 1. February 25, 1998. p. 1. Retrieved August 31, 2018."[http://www.beatworld.com/aboutbeat.html About Beat Radio]", Beat Radio. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
=Catholic Radio Network=
In late 1998, the station was sold to Catholic Radio Network, later known as Catholic Family Radio, and it began airing a Catholic oriented talk format.Kirk, Jim. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/1999/01/27/catholic-radio-network-seeks-stronger-signal/ Catholic Radio Network Seeks Stronger Signal]", Chicago Tribune. January 27, 1999. Retrieved August 31, 2018.Kirk, Jim. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/1999/06/27/catholic-radio-ceo-keeps-the-faith-about-family-programming/ Catholic Radio CEO Keeps The Faith About Family Programming]", Chicago Tribune. June 27, 1999. Retrieved August 31, 2018."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1998-11.pdf Format Changes & Updates]", The M Street Journal. Vol. 15 No. 44. November 4, 1998. p. 1. Retrieved August 31, 2018. In late 1999, Catholic Radio Network had entered into an agreement to the station to Saul Acquisition Co. for $4.4 million.Feder, Robert. "[http://listserv.icors.org/scripts/wa-ICORS.exe?A2=vicug-l;e96a19e3.9911 New station to offer training for disabled]", Chicago Sun-Times. October 26, 1999. Retrieved August 31, 2018.[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/comment.pl?Application_id=428928&File_number=BAL-19991214ABM Public Notice Comment], fcc.gov. Retrieved August 31, 2018."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1999-10.pdf Elsewhere]", The M Street Journal. Vol. 16 No. 43. October 27, 1999. p. 8. Retrieved August 31, 2018. The plans were for the station to be operated by Radio Center for People with Disabilities, with Catholic Family Radio continuing to air temporarily during certain time-slots. However, the sale was never consummated, ownership reverted to Catholic Family Radio, and the station was taken off the air temporarily in spring of 2001.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140610193635/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0EFEFFE9669DB740.html WAUR-AM speculation strong after sale deal falls though] Hazen, Don. The Beacon News. April 28, 2001. Retrieved December 30, 2013
=Victory 930=
In spring 2001, Catholic Family Radio entered into a local marketing agreement with Michigan based religious broadcaster Midwest Broadcasting (now known as Christian Broadcasting System),[http://www.michiguide.com/dials/rad-j/wlcm.html WLCM AM 1390 Holt/Lansing], Michiguide.com. Retrieved August 31, 2018. and the station returned to the air broadcasting a religious format."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-2001-05.pdf Format Changes & Updates]", The M Street Journal. Vol. 18 Issue 17. May 2, 2001. p. 5. Retrieved August 31, 2018."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-2001-06.pdf Transaction Brief]", The M Street Journal. Vol. 18 Issue 20. June 13, 2001. p. 15. Retrieved August 31, 2018. The station was branded "Victory 930". In late 2001, Midwest Broadcasting entered into an agreement to purchase the station for $4 million."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-2001-11.pdf Transaction Brief]", The M Street Journal. Vol. 18 Issue 31. November 14, 2001. p. 14. Retrieved August 31, 2018. However, the Radio Center for People with Disabilities filed a challenge with the Federal Communications Commission to block the sale of the station, on the basis that the purchaser was not a member of a minority, and the sale was never consummated."[http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20011201/NEWS06/20003940/group-to-challenge-station-sale Group to challenge station sale]", Crain's Chicago Business. December 1, 2001. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
=Relevant Radio=
In 2004, WAUR was sold to Starboard Broadcasting for $3.5 million, and the station began airing its current Catholic format as an affiliate of Relevant Radio."[https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/526/catholic-radio-network-expands-buys-minneapolis-station-for-$7-million Catholic radio network expands, buys Minneapolis station for $7 million]", Catholic News Agency. January 26, 2004. Retrieved August 31, 2018."[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=100979178&qnum=5040©num=1&exhcnum=1 Asset Purchase Agreement]", fcc.gov. Retrieved August 31, 2018."[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=100979178&qnum=5130©num=1&exhcnum=1 Advance Acquisition, Inc. Ownership]", fcc.gov. Retrieved August 31, 2018. The station changed its call sign to the current WKBM on June 18, 2014.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.relevantradio.com/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?&pid=469&srcid=204 Radio 930 AM]
{{AM station data|48240|WKBM}}
{{DeKalb Radio}}
{{Relevant Radio}}
Category:1986 establishments in Illinois
Category:Catholic radio stations
Category:Radio stations established in 1986