For a century, it has served the Midwest with one of the station’s biggest AM radio signals. From the 1960s through the mid-1980s, it was one of the world’s most-listened-to Top 40 radio stations. Today, it is a Cumulus Media spoken word property that’s celebrating its 100th birthday.
WLS-AM 890 in Chicago debuted on April 12, 1924, at 6pm. It took its call letters from the phrase “World’s Largest Store,” referring to Sears-Roebuck.
On Saturday (4/13) and Sunday, a two-part 100th anniversary special was placed on the lineup, for 4pm-8pm Central. It is hosted by Jeff Davis.
What started as a station for farmers evolved into the epicenter for rock ‘n’ roll in the 1960s and 1970s.
For the past 30 years, has been a home for news and talk programming in Chicago, competing against other longtime big-signal AMs: WBBM-AM and WGN-AM.
Marv Nyren, Vice President/Market Manager for Cumulus Media in Chicago, commented, “WLS is bigger than a destination on your radio dial. It’s a Chicago institution and treasure. Some 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.”
WLS Program Director Stephanie Tichenor added, “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!”
