WBGX

WBGX (1570 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a Gospel format. Located in Harvey, Illinois, United States, it serves the Chicago area. The station is currently owned by Great Lakes Radio-Chicago, LLC.[4]

WBGX
CityHarvey, Illinois
Broadcast areaChicago, Illinois
Frequency1570 kHz
Slogan"The Big Gospel Express"
Programming
FormatGospel
Ownership
OwnerGreat Lakes Radio-Chicago, LLC
History
First air date
1955[1]
Former call signs
WBEE (1955-1989)[2]
WMNN (1989)[3]
WBEE (1989-2003)[3]
Call sign meaning
Big Gospel Express
Technical information
Facility ID40147
ClassB
Power1,100 watts day
500 watts night
Transmitter coordinates
41°36′14.00″N 87°40′45.00″W
Links
WebcastListen Live
Websitegospel1570.com

WBGX is a locally owned radio station that brokers time to Churches in order to serve the Chicago and South Suburban areas.

History

The station began broadcasting in 1955, and held the call sign WBEE.[2][5] It aired an R&B format, and ran 250 watts during daytime hours only.[5][2] In 1956, its power was increased to 1,000 watts.[2] In 1968, WBEE adopted an all-jazz format.[5] On September 28, 1989, its call sign was changed to WMNN, and it began airing ten minutes of financial news at the top of the hour, as an affiliate of Money Network Radio.[3][6] However, its call sign was changed back to WBEE on November 15, 1989.[3]

In October 2003, Great Lakes Radio purchased the station for $2.2 million from owner Charles Sherrell, and its call sign was changed to WBGX.[7][8][3] The station switched to a gospel music format.[8] During the following months the entire station was rebuilt. A new tower was added to increase power to serve a larger population. A new building on the corner of 60th and S. Michigan Ave was purchased in December 2003, and new studio was built which opened in May 2004. Gospel Industry Specialist Veronica Williams was the only staff member retained.

References
  1. 1971 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1971. p. B-64. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  2. History Cards for WBGX, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  3. Call Sign History, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  4. AM Query Results: WBGX, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  5. Pruter, Robert (1992). Chicago Soul. University of Illinois Press. pp. 16-17. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  6. "WMNN AM 1570", Radio Chicago. p. 44. Winter 1990. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  7. Application Search Details – BAL-20030429ABB, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  8. Reich, Howard. "Jazz radio experiencing yet another death in the family", Chicago Tribune. May 12, 2003. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
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