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| |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Chicago metropolitan area |
| Frequency | 720 kHz |
| Branding | 720 WGN |
| Programming | |
| Format | Talk radio |
| Affiliations | |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | |
| WGN-TV | |
| History | |
First air date | May 19, 1922[1] |
Former call signs |
|
Call sign meaning | "World's Greatest Newspaper" (Chicago Tribune slogan) |
| Technical information[2] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 72114 |
| Class | A |
| Power | 50,000 watts |
Transmitter coordinates | |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | |
| Website | wgnradio |
WGN (720 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station in Chicago, Illinois, featuring a talk radio format. WGN's studios are in the Chicago Loop, while the transmitter is in Elk Grove Village. WGN also features broadcasts of Chicago Blackhawks hockey and Northwestern University football and basketball.
Since 2022, WGN is the only radio station owned by Nexstar Media Group, which primarily owns television stations. It was founded in 1922 as WDAP. In 1924 it was acquired Tribune Media, which also owned the Chicago Tribune, whose "World's Greatest Newspaper" slogan served as the basis for the WGN call sign, and later the call sign of a television superstation, too.
WGN is a clear channel, Class A station, broadcasting with the maximum power of 50,000 watts, and using a non-directional antenna. During daytime hours, near-perfect ground conductivity gives WGN at least secondary coverage to almost two-thirds of Illinois (as far south as Springfield) as well as large slices of Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Iowa. During nighttime skywave hours, with a good radio, it is audible over most of the Eastern and Central United States and Central Canada. The station also streams its programming on its website and supplies podcasts as well. WGN was previously responsible for the activation of the Chicago metropolitan area Emergency Alert System when hazardous weather alerts, disaster area declarations, and child abductions are issued; this is currently handled by WLS.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
wgngold-1920swas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Facility Technical Data for WGN". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.