WKKD (AM)

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
CityAurora, Illinois
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

Early history

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

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

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

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

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

Viva 1580

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

CNN Headline News

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

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

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
  1. 1961-62 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1961-1962. p. B-51. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  2. Application Search Details - BLSTA-20090109ASX, fcc.gov. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  3. History Cards for WKKD, fcc.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  4. 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. Ghrist, John R. (1996). Valley Voices: A Radio History. Crossroads Communications. p. 106-107.
  11. "WKKD Local Rate Card #7", WKKD. August 1, 1970. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  12. 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. "WKKD AM 1580", Radio Chicago. Fall 1989. p. 18. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  25. 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.
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