Chicago Radio: Happy 100-Years to WLS-AM

Cumulus Media's News/Talk station WLS-AM 890 celebrated 100 years on-air Friday. On April 12, 1924, at 6:00pm, an experiment in radio took to the airwaves and “W-L-S, The Sears-Roebuck Station, Chicago!” was live on-air. 100 years later, the station looks back to honor those who made 890 WLS-AM what it is today. What started as a station for farmers evolved into the epicenter for rock ‘n’ roll in the 60s and 70s and for the past 30 years, has been the home for news and talk in Chicago.

WLS-AM 890 will air a two-part 100 anniversary special on Saturday, April 13th and on Sunday, April 14th, from 4:00pm-8:00pm each day, hosted by Jeff Davis.

Marv Nyren, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Chicago, said: “WLS is bigger than a destination on your radio dial – it’s a Chicago institution and treasure. 100 years ago, radio was simply sound communication via radio waves but there's nothing simple about the impact of WLS on Chicago. WLS has been a neighbor, a friend, and a mentor for people in Chicagoland. It's been a place where people can go for entertainment and information - and it’s been a companion to the biggest moments in history. We are excited to usher in WLS-AM’s next 100 years with Chicago’s best audio content on-air, online, on-demand, and onsite.”

Stephanie Tichenor, Program Director, 890 WLS-AM, commented: "We are not bound by physical limits. WLS is on your phone, your smart speakers, in your car, and on your desktop. Our signal only grows in this digital world, and we will continue to grow and evolve thanks to our amazing team. Please join us in wishing the Big 89 a Happy 100th Birthday and here's to the next century of WLS, radio, and Chicago!”

🎧For more information or to stream WLS-AM 890, visit: https://www.wlsam.com/.

🎧WLS Makes Radio History: HERE