WZSR

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WZSR
WZSR station logo.png
CityWoodstock, Illinois
Broadcast areaNorthwest Suburban Chicago
BrandingStar 105.5
SloganYour Music Variety
Frequency105.5 MHz
First air dateApril 1, 1968 (as WSTK)[1]
FormatHot AC
ERP1,600 watts
HAAT173 meters (568 ft)
ClassA
Facility ID53505
Transmitter coordinates42°15′34.00″N 88°21′45.00″W / 42.2594444°N 88.3625000°W / 42.2594444; -88.3625000
Callsign meaningW Z StaR
Former callsignsWSTK (1968-1974)[2]
WXRD (1974-1984)[2]
WXET (1984-1988)[3]
WAIT-FM (1988-1991)[3]
AffiliationsDial Global
OwnerAlpha Media
Sister stationsWCCQ, WERV-FM, WIIL, WJOL, WKRS, WSSR, WXLC
WebcastListen Live
Websitestar105.com

WZSR (105.5 FM, "Star 105.5") is a radio station broadcasting a hot adult contemporary format. Licensed to Woodstock, Illinois, United States, it serves Chicago's northwest suburbs. The station is currently owned by Peter Handy, through licensee Matrix Broadcasting, LLC. The station's studios are located behind McHenry County College in Crystal Lake.

History[edit]

WSTK[edit]

The station began broadcasting April 1, 1968, and held the call sign WSTK.[1] It was owned by Angelo Joseph Salvi.[2][4] WSTK initially aired middle of the road (MOR) and country music.[4][5] By 1971, the station was airing a country music format full time.[1] The station was taken silent in 1973.[2]

WXRD[edit]

In 1974, the station was sold to Mal Bellairs for $95,000 and returned to the air, with its call sign changed to WXRD.[4][2][6] WXRD simulcast AM 850 WIVS in the morning and aired a progressive rock format branded "The Crossroads" the remainder of the day.[4][7][8] By 1980, the station had switched to a MOR format.[9]

In 1981, Bellairs sold the station, along with AM 850 WIVS, to Katy Communications for $838,000.[4][10] In the early 1980s, the station relocated their WXRD studios from Woodstock to Crystal Lake and aired a top 40 format.[11] WXRD was an affiliate of American Top 40 with Casey Kasem during its top 40 years.[12] By 1984, the station had switched to an adult contemporary format.[13]

WXET[edit]

On April 7, 1984, the station's call sign was changed to WXET.[3] WXET aired an adult contemporary format and was branded "Lite Hits 105.5".[14][15][16] Throughout its time, WXET also carries McHenry County high school sports games, along with sports reports with Joe Aguilar. WXET also broadcasts special events across McHenry County, its own 50’s show broadcast every Saturday from 6:30-8:00 PM, and the city of Marengo’s Federal Savings show “Making your finances fit” every Monday through Friday at 7:50 AM. In November 1988, the station was sold to Crystal Lake Radio LP and managed by Vento Companies of Bethesda, Maryland, along with AM 850 WAIT, for $1.6 million.[17]

WAIT-FM[edit]

On November 14, 1988, the station's call sign was changed to WAIT-FM.[3] WAIT-FM simulcast AM 850 WAIT mornings, while classic rock from the 1960s and 1970s aired the rest of the day.[18][19][20] The change according to the Northwest Herald of WAIT-FM made many changes. At the time, the studios on 300 Commerce Drive moved to 8600 Route 14 in Crystal Lake near the McHenry County College, and the station eliminated the Satellite Music Network and changed its format to include live disc jockeys such as their popular morning show “Malloy in the Morning” with Kevin Malloy of Chicago each weekday morning. By late 1990, WAIT-FM had adopted an adult contemporary format.[21] In 1991, the station was sold to Pride Communications, along with AM 850 WAIT, for $2.2 million.[22][23]

WZSR[edit]

On October 4, 1991, the station's call sign was changed to WZSR, and the station was branded "Star 105.5", airing an adult contemporary format.[3][24]

In October 2000, NextMedia Group purchased Pride Communications' nine radio stations, including WZSR, for approximately $57 million.[25][26] In 2014, the station was sold to Matrix Broadcasting LLC.[27][28][29]

In April 2019, WZSR was sold to Alpha Media due to Matrix Broadcasting's bankruptcy back in March 2018.[30][31]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c 1971 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1971. p. B-68. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e History Cards for WZSR, fcc.gov. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e Call Sign History, fcc.gov. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e Ghrist, John R. (1996). Valley Voices: A Radio History. Crossroads Communications. p. 142-147.
  5. ^ 1969 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1969. p. D-57. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  6. ^ "Ownership changes", Broadcasting. December 17, 1973. p. 66. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  7. ^ "News & Notes: ESPN 1000; Pete McMurray; Dick Biondi; Bob Stern; Kevin Manno; Tribune Media; Tronc; Gregory Pratt; More", Chicagoland Radio and Media. March 7, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  8. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1975, Broadcasting, 1975. p. C-61. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  9. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1980, Broadcasting, 1980. p. C-73. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  10. ^ "Changing Hands", Broadcasting. August 10, 1981. p. 62. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  11. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1983, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1983. p. B-79. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  12. ^ "American Top 40 1983 03 12 List", Internet Archive. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  13. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1984, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1984. p. B-85. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  14. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1985, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1985. p. B-88. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  15. ^ Chicago Radio Guide. Vol. 1, No. 1. May 1985. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  16. ^ Chicagoland Radio Waves, MediaTies. Summer 1988. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  17. ^ "Ownership Changes", Broadcasting & Cable. March 21, 1988. p. 70. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  18. ^ "WAIT FM 105.5", Radio Chicago. Fall 1989. p. 30. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  19. ^ Chicagoland Radio Waves, MediaTies. Spring-Summer 1989. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  20. ^ "Chicago Area Radio Stations", Chicago Tribune. March 24, 1989. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  21. ^ "Radio Station Index By Format", Radio Chicago. Fall 1990. p. 3. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  22. ^ Lauer, Paula. "Worth the WAIT: After over a year of negotiations...", Chicago Tribune. September 22, 1991. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  23. ^ "Ownership Changes", Broadcasting. p. 62-63. June 24, 1991. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  24. ^ Kening, Dan. "Talk O' the Towns", Chicago Tribune. November 3, 1991. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  25. ^ Kirk, Jim. "Suburban Radio Signals Scooped Up By Colorado's Nextmedia Group", Chicago Tribune. July 04, 2000. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  26. ^ "Combos", Broadcasting & Cable. July 9, 2000. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  27. ^ Feder, Robert. "NextMedia buyer embraces local approach", RobertFeder.com. October 10, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  28. ^ Public Notice Comment – BALH-20131024AMW, fcc.gov. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  29. ^ Application Search Details – BALH-20131024AMW, fcc.gov. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  30. ^ Venta, Lance. "Alpha Matrix Sell Pair In Suburban Chicago", Radio Insight. February 11, 2019. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  31. ^ "Deal To Transfer WYSO/Dayton From Antioch College To Independent Ownership Filed With FCC", All Access Music Group. April 9, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2019.

External links[edit]


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