WXRT

File:Chicago Bike to Work Day Rally 2011 (5852625563).jpg

WXRT plays a very broad range of music in a format known as AAA/Triple-A (Adult album alternative). With a playlist of more than 5,000 songs from wide-ranging genres including blues, reggae, folk-rock, pop, and rock and roll, WXRT is considered a pioneer in the format.Caro, Mark. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-11-16-9711160422-story.html Radiodaze]", Chicago Tribune. November 16, 1997. Retrieved February 1, 2019.Nidetz, Steve. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-03-22-9403220040-story.html Rest of the Country Finally Catching Up With WXRT]", Chicago Tribune. March 22, 1994. Retrieved February 5, 2019. WXRT is well known for several locally produced, original programs such as Saturday Morning Flashback hosted by Frank E. Lee, Johnny Mars, and Annalisa on a rotating basis, Breakfast with the Beatles hosted by Terri Hemmert,Hageman, William. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/living/ct-xpm-2014-02-23-ct-remarkable-terri-hemmert-20140223-story.html Terri Hemmert, WXRT deejay]", Chicago Tribune. February 23, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2019. and the Lin's Bin essay series by longtime morning host Lin Brehmer, which ran from 2002 until 2022, shortly before Brehmer's death.{{cite web|url=https://abc7chicago.com/lin-brehmer-wxrt-radio-news-chicago-cancer/12728021/ |title=Lin Brehmer death: WXRT radio pays tribute to radio personality who died after cancer battle |access-date=September 11, 2023|date=January 24, 2023}}

Local music show "Local Anesthetic", hosted by Richard Milne, aired its final show on December 24, 2017.Feder, Robert. "[https://www.robertfeder.com/2017/09/25/robservations-wycc-gets-reprieve-november-24/ Robservations: WYCC gets reprieve to November 24]", Robert Feder. September 25, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2019. The final "Jazz Transfusion" hosted by Barry Winograd aired February 4, 2018, marking the end of more than four decades of the program.Feder, Robert. "[https://www.robertfeder.com/2018/02/01/robservations-wxrt-unplugs-jazz-transfusion-43-years/ Robservations: WXRT unplugs 'Jazz Transfusion' after 43 years]", Robert Feder. February 1, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2019. WXRT introduced several popular specialty programs in recent years. 'All Vinyl Saturday' began in 2016 to celebrate Record Store Day by playing individual songs and entire album sides non-stop for 12 hours. The albums selected to be played are from the personal record collections of DJs Marty Lennartz, Frank E. Lee, Annalisa, Johnny Mars, Andy Chanley, Emma Mac, and Don Davis. Due to "All Vinyl Saturdays" popularity, the feature is presented 3 to 4 times a year.

WFJL – (standing for Frank J. Lewis) went on the air on May 22, 1949. WFJL operated as a non-commercial station by Lewis College of Science and Technology (previous name of Lewis College, now Lewis University).[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1955/Radio-AL-MT-1955-BC-YB.pdf 1955 Broadcasting Yearbook–Marketbook], Broadcasting, 1955. p. 128. Retrieved February 2, 2019. The station's license was cancelled in 1956."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1956/1956-08-27-BC.pdf Existing FM Stations]", Broadcasting – Telecasting. August 27, 1956. p. 116. Retrieved February 2, 2019. WFJL, under the leadership of Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop Most Rev. Bernard J. Sheil, D.D., of the Archdiocese of Chicago and general manager Jerry Keefe, radio format consisted of religious,{{cite web|url=http://www.jjonz.us/RadioLogs/pagesnfiles/logs_files/1940s/1949/49_08aug/%5Bc%5D49-08-24-%28Wed%29.pdf |title= Radio-TV Programs for today| access-date=September 11, 2023}} educational, news, talk, and CYO Boxing. WFJL's facilities were located at the Lincoln Tower Building, 75 East Wacker Drive in Chicago, {{convert|600|ft|m}}{{cite book|title=Popular Mechanics|date=March 1911|publisher=Hearst Magazines|issn=0032-4558|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_At4DAAAAMBAJ|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_At4DAAAAMBAJ/page/n207 114]|access-date=June 4, 2015}} above ground and had an effective radiated power of 29,000 watts. The station was sold to Louis Lee and callsign was changed to WSBC-FM.

The station began broadcasting March 15, 1960, holding the call sign WSBC-FM. The station's studios and transmitter were located at the West Town State Bank Building at 2400 W. Madison in Chicago, and it had an ERP of 27,500 watts.[https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=83871 History Cards for WXRT], fcc.gov. Retrieved February 1, 2019. WSBC-FM featured a variety of musical programming, including classical,"[https://books.google.com/books?id=aCAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA14 BMW News Editor Takes to Airwaves]", Billboard. September 18, 1961. p. 14. Retrieved February 3, 2019. jazz,Bundy, June. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=JyEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA37 Vox Jox]", Billboard. February 13, 1961. p. 37. Retrieved February 3, 2019."[https://books.google.com/books?id=FCAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA55 Music as Written]", Billboard. October 24, 1960. p. 55. Retrieved February 3, 2019."[https://books.google.com/books?id=xyAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA8 Music as Written]", Billboard. November 6, 1961. p. 8. Retrieved February 3, 2019. folk,"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1961/1961-02-20-BC.pdf FM Units Double in Two Year Period]", Broadcasting. February 20, 1961. p. 82. Retrieved February 16, 2019. and popular music shows,"[https://books.google.com/books?id=dCAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA10 Norma Rivers at Quid]", Billboard. September 25, 1961. p. 4. Retrieved February 3, 2019. and simulcast some of the ethnic programming of its sister station 1240 WSBC, when the shared-time station was on the air. The station was owned by Louie Lee.Wyman, Bill. "[https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/wxrt-sold-down-the-river/Content?oid=886877 WXRT: Sold Down the River?]", Chicago Reader. March 9, 1995. Retrieved February 2, 2019. In 1962, its ERP was increased to 55,000 watts.

File:Former studios of WSCR and WXRT.jpg

In 1963, the station's call sign was changed to WXRT. The station increasingly aired ethnic programming."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1965/Billboard%201965-10-16.pdf Stations By Format]", Billboard. October 16, 1965. p. 63. Retrieved February 3, 2019."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1966/Billboard%201966-11-19.pdf Stations By Format]", Billboard. November 19, 1966. p. 40. Retrieved February 3, 2019.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1972/B-1%20YB%201972%20All-11.pdf 1972 Broadcasting Yearbook], Broadcasting, 1972. p. B-62. Retrieved February 3, 2019. In 1971, WXRT's studios and transmitter were moved to 4949 West Belmont Ave., where it operated with an ERP of 50,000 watts at a HAAT of 500 feet. In 1981, the station's transmitter was moved to the John Hancock Center.[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/comment.pl?Application_id=18304&File_number=BPH-19800310AK Public Notice Comment – BPH-19800310AK], fcc.gov. Retrieved February 1, 2019.[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/comment.pl?Application_id=34458&File_number=BLH-19810930AF Public Notice Comment – BLH-19810930AF], fcc.gov. Retrieved February 1, 2019.

The format as it exists today began in August 1972 as a nighttime-only freeform rock experiment, while a variety of ethnic programming continued to air during the daytime hours.Neumer, Alison. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2002-10-30-0210310120-story.html WXRT still going strong at age 30]", Chicago Tribune. October 30, 2002. Retrieved February 1, 2019."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive%20R&R/R&R-AOR-Story.pdf Looking Back]", The AOR Story. Radio & Records. 1978. p. 9. Retrieved February 5, 2019. The part-time progressive rock format was started by Don Bridges, who soon brought in Mitch Michaels and a bit later John Platt, Seth Mason, and Bob Schulman. Norm Winer served as program director from 1979 through 2016.Stutz, Colin. "[https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6897383/dj-norm-winer-quits-wxrt-chicago-cbs-after-37-years Norm Winer Quits WXRT Chicago After 37 Years]", Billboard. March 2, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2019.Feder, Robert. "[http://www.robertfeder.com/2016/01/13/norm-winer-moves-to-new-role-at-xrt/ Norm Winer moves to new role at 'XRT]", RobertFeder.com. January 13, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2019."[http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/8248-norm-winer-launches-consultancy-joins-business-incubator-2112-as-mentor Norm Winer Launches Consultancy & Joins Business Incubator 2112 as Mentor]", Chicagoland Radio and Media. June 13, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2019. Greg Solk was named program director in 2017. Laura Duncan joined as Program Director in 2021.

The format's hours were gradually expanded, and on April 26, 1976, it began airing 24 hours a day.Wyman, Bill. "[https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/wxrt-so-many-records-so-little-time/Content?oid=876653 So Many Records, So Little Time?]", Chicago Reader. November 15, 1990. Retrieved February 5, 2019. The station was branded "Chicago's Fine Rock Station" and later "Chicago's Finest Rock".[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 February 4, 2019. In the 1980s, the station heavily played music from the new wave, synthpop, and alternative rock groups of that era. By the 1990s, the station's format was considered adult album alternative. The station's offices and studios were located at 4949 West Belmont Ave. on the northwest side of Chicago until 2008, when it was relocated to the NBC Tower in downtown Chicago.Rosenthal, Phil. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2008-02-08-0802070929-story.html Some static expected as 'XRT leaves home]", Chicago Tribune. February 8, 2008. Retrieved February 2, 2019. On March 16, 2010, it was again relocated to the Prudential Plaza.

In 1995, Danny Lee, son of the station's original owner Louie Lee, sold the station to Westinghouse for $44 million.Nidetz, Steve. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-03-02-9503020171-story.html Group W Buy May Alter Score in Radio]", Chicago Tribune. March 2, 1995. Retrieved February 2, 2019. Shortly thereafter, Westinghouse would acquire CBS and Infinity Radio, with the company changing its name to CBS Corp."[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-02-06-fi-25879-story.html Westinghouse to Change Name to CBS After Spinoff]", Bloomberg News. Los Angeles Times. February 6, 1997. Retrieved February 2, 2019. The Infinity name was retained for its radio division. CBS and Viacom would merge in 2000."[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-and-viacom-complete-merger/ CBS And Viacom Complete Merger]", CBS News. May 4, 2000. Retrieved February 2, 2019. In December 2005, Infinity Radio officially became CBS Radio in anticipation of the CBS/Viacom split up."[https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/15/business/media/infinity-broadcasting-to-become-cbs-radio.html Infinity Broadcasting to Become CBS Radio]", Bloomberg News. The New York Times. December 15, 2005. Retrieved February 2, 2019.

On February 2, 2017, CBS Radio announced it would merge with Entercom.Venta, Lance. "[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/116299/cbs-radio-to-merge-with-entercom/ CBS Radio to Merge with Entercom]", Radio Insight. February 2, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2019. The merger was approved on November 9, 2017, and was consummated on November 17.{{cite web|url=http://www.entercom.com/entercom-receives-fcc-approval-for-merger-with-cbs-radio|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111164038/http://www.entercom.com/entercom-receives-fcc-approval-for-merger-with-cbs-radio|title=Entercom Receives FCC Approval For Merger With CBS Radio|publisher=Entercom|date=November 2, 2017|access-date=February 2, 2019|archive-date=November 11, 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Venta|first=Lance|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/121072/entercom-completes-cbs-radio-merger/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118222152/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/121072/entercom-completes-cbs-radio-merger/|title=Entercom Completes CBS Radio Merger|work=Radio Insight|date=November 17, 2017|access-date=February 2, 2019|archive-date=November 18, 2017}}

WXRT has performed numerous April Fools' Day jokes, dating back to the 1970s.Jacob, Mark; Benzkofer, Stephan. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/10things-aprilfoolsday-032810-story.html 10 things you might not know about April Fools' Day]", Chicago Tribune. March 28, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2019. In 1982, the station promoted "Mayor Jane Byrne April Fool Fest" on Navy Pier, promising live performances by multiple artists, some of whom were dead. Hundreds of people showed up to the then-derelict and padlocked Navy Pier, believing that the festival was real.{{Cite magazine|last=DiMauro|first=Phil|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Record-World/80s/82/Record-World-1982-04-10.pdf|title=Duped in Chicago|magazine=Record World|date=April 10, 1982|page=24|access-date=December 12, 2020}}

In 1998, WXRT stated that it was now a subsidiary of Playboy Enterprises. The station said it was now "True Adult Radio", and that its call sign was changed to WXXXRT.

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.audacy.com/wxrt}}
• {{FM station data|16853|WXRT}}

{{Chicago Radio}}

{{Entercom}}

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XRT

Category:Alternative rock radio stations in the United States

Category:Radio stations established in 1960

Category:1960 establishments in Illinois

Category:Audacy, Inc. radio stations