Chicago Area Radio: Tim Richards Named PD At Free Country

Alpha Media Chicago recently made an exciting move in the broadcasting industry. They rebranded their legacy Country station, WCCQ, as Free Country 98.3. But that’s not all—the station is now also broadcasting on a second signal at 102.3, providing wider coverage for Country music fans in the Chicagoland area.

Tim Richards

Joining the newly created Free Country team is veteran programmer and consultant Tim Richards as the Content Director. Richards remarked, "The opportunity to lead the content strategy for Free Country Chicago while continuing my work with KUPL and the Smith Richards Collective is incredibly exciting."

Phil Becker, EVP of Content for Alpha Media, emphasized the unique advantages of radio in today’s media landscape. He highlighted that radio is completely free—free to listen, free to win, and free to subscribe. While streaming services and tech companies charge for music and content, Free Country at 98.3 and 102.3 is dedicated to providing Country music and fan experiences to Chicagoans at no cost. "With Tim's leadership, we're poised to create a unified and robust Country music experience for our listeners."