WNDZ
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WNDZ
| logo =
| logo_size =
| city = Portage, Indiana
| country = US
| area = Chicago metropolitan area
| branding = Access Radio Chicago
| airdate = {{Start date and age|1987|5|13}}[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1990/B-Radio-AL-MT-BC-YB-1990.pdf The Broadcasting Yearbook 1990], Broadcasting, 1990. p. B-111. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
| frequency = 750 kHz
| format = Classic Hits
| power = 15,000 watts days only
| class = D
| licensing_authority = FCC
| facility_id = 73316
| coordinates = {{coord|41|33|49.14|N|87|9|18.12|W|region:US-IN_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| callsign_meaning = The Windy City
| former_callsigns =
| owner = Newsweb Corporation
| licensee = WNDZ LLC
| sister_stations =
| webcast =
| website =
| affiliations =
}}
WNDZ (750 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station broadcasting a Classic Hits 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.[https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?sr=Y&s=C&call=wndz&nav=home Radio-Locator.com/WNDZ]
Programming
Now running a music format, WNDZ had previously been a brokered programming station, where hosts pay for their time on the air and may advertise their products and services or seek donations.
History
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. The business office and studios were located in Lansing, Illinois. They are currently on Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago.{{Cite web|url=http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Wndz-Am.Main.Studio.773-767-1000|title = WNDZ-Am Main Studio}} The station originally aired a mixture of Contemporary Christian with some ethnic programming."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/Chicago_Magazine/Chicago-1991-Spring.pdf WNDZ AM 750]", Radio Chicago, Spring 1991. p. 46. Retrieved July 11, 2018. In 1992, the station was sold to Douglas Broadcasting, for $2 million.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1994/B-Radio-AL-MT-BC-YB-1994-B&W.pdf Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1994], Broadcasting & Cable, 1994. p. B-128. Retrieved July 12, 2018.Unmacht, Robert. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1992-02.pdf Proposed Station Transfers]", The M-Street Journal. February 10, 1992. p. 4. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
In 1994, the station joined Douglas Broadcasting's new AsiaOne network.Borzillo, Carrie. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=XQgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA102 Asian Network Debuts]", Billboard, July 2, 1994. p. 102. Retrieved July 12, 2018.Nidetz, Steve. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/10/12/mendtes-5-emmys-giving-his-critics-plenty-to-ponder/ Mendte's 5 Emmys Giving His Critics Plenty To Ponder]", Chicago Tribune, October 12, 1994. Retrieved July 12, 2018. In 1997, the station's power was increased to 5,000 watts.Unmacht, Robert; McCrummen, Pat (1998). [https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/1998/AL-MT-M-Street-8-1998.pdf The M-Street Radio Directory]. p. 234. Retrieved July 12, 2018.[http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=250497 Application Search Details], fcc.gov. Retrieved July 12, 2018. In late May 1998, the station switched from brokered programming to the motivational "Personal Achievement Radio" network, which moved from WYPA 820."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1998-06.pdf Format Changes & Updates]", The M-Street Journal. June 10, 1998. Vol. 15 No. 23. p. 1. Retrieved July 12, 2018.Kirk, Jim. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/06/02/spanish-language-network-may-buy-wypa/ Spanish-language Network May Buy WYPA]", Chicago Tribune, June 2, 1998. Retrieved July 12, 2018. Later that year, the station was purchased by Z-Spanish Radio."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1998-07.pdf Elsewhere]", The M-Street Journal. July 1, 1998. Vol. 15 No. 26. p. 9. Retrieved July 12, 2018.Kirk, Jim. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/07/07/mickey-conquers-wtaq-in-radio-cat-and-mouse/ Mickey Conquers WTAQ In Radio Cat And Mouse]", Chicago Tribune, July 7, 1998. Retrieved July 12, 2018. In 2000, Z-Spanish Radio was acquired by Entravision Communications."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Ratings-Directories/30th/R&R-30-Anniversary.pdf Signs of the Times]", Radio & Records, 30th Anniversary Issue. 2003. p. 113. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
In 2004, Entravision Communications sold the station to Newsweb Corporation, along with 99.9 FM WRZA, for $24 million.Jacobson, Adam. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-01-23.pdf Entravision Exits Windy City]", Radio & Records, January 23, 2004. p. 4. Retrieved July 10, 2018.Lazaroff, Leon. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/07/27/democratic-donor-plans-to-purchase-3-stations/ Democratic donor plans to purchase 3 stations]", Chicago Tribune, July 27, 2004. Retrieved July 10, 2018. In 2007, the station's power was increased to 15,000 watts.[http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1183337 Application Search Details], fcc.gov. Retrieved July 12, 2018."[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=101057308&qnum=5120©num=1&exhcnum=1 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. The station has featured brokered programming for most of its history.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{AM station data|73316|WNDZ}}
{{Northwest Indiana Radio}}
{{Daytime-only radio stations in Indiana}}