WDRV

Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates {{#if:Template:Has short description | |Template:Main other}}{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template otherTemplate:Main other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox radio station with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|showblankpositional=y| above | acma_bsl | affiliations | airdate | alt | anatel_id | area | branding | callsign | callsign_meaning | caption | child | city | class | coordinates | country | embed_header | embedded | erp | facility_id | format | former_callsigns | former_frequencies | former_names | founded | frequency | frequencies | haat | image | image_alt | image_size | image_upright | language | languages | last_airdate | licensee | licensing_authority | logo | logo_alt | logo_caption | logo_size | logo_upright | name | network | operator | owner | power | rds | repeater | repeaters | sister_stations | subchannels | translator | translators | webcast | website }} WDRV (97.1 FM, "The Drive") is a commercial radio station licensed to serve Chicago, Illinois. The station is owned by Hubbard Broadcasting and airs a classic rock format. Its studios were originally located in the John Hancock Center.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On May 11, 2018, WDRV moved into all new, state-of-the-art, digital studios in Chicago's Prudential Plaza. WDRV's antenna is located atop the Aon Center.<ref name="fccdata">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The station's programming is simulcast on sister station 96.9 WWDV in Zion, Illinois.

WDRV uses HD Radio and broadcasts a classic rock format branded as "Deep Tracks" on its HD2 subchannel.<ref name="deeptracks">Template:Cite news</ref>

History

WNIB

Early history

WNIB was founded and built by Bill Florian.<ref name="Shen"/><ref name="BillFlorian">Goldsborough, Bob. "Bill Florian, founder of classical radio station WNIB, dies at 84", Chicago Tribune. December 18, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2019.</ref> The call letters stood for Northern Illinois Broadcasting.<ref name="Shen"/><ref name="BillFlorian"/> The station began broadcasting on July 9, 1955, and had the slogan "Chicago's FM Voice of Variety."<ref name="Shen"/> It primarily broadcast jazz, show tunes, and easy listening music.<ref name="Shen"/>

Bill Gershon was among the first announcers.<ref name="Shen"/> Among the other announcers in the early years were Bill Plante,<ref name="BillFlorian"/> who went on to become a fixture at CBS News, Marty Robinson and Don Tait,<ref name="TWTD7895">TWTD Archive — July 8, 1995, Speaking of Radio. Retrieved February 17, 2019.</ref><ref name="BillFlorian"/> both of whom later worked for WFMT, and Ken Alexander, who later worked for WAIT 820, but later returned to WNIB.<ref>"Ken Alexander's Radio Recollections", Nostalgia Digest. bruceduffie.com. Retrieved February 18, 2019.</ref>

Programming and personalities

Gershon had the idea of playing classical music Sunday evenings and stated, "Classical music wasn't part of our programming at first, since most other FM stations aired lots of classical music, especially WFMT and WEFM. But I told Bill we should make use of the 12 records we had in the library. He said, 'All right. Just don't have any of that ivory-tower stuff here.'"<ref name="Shen"/> By early 1957 Gershon had left the station, but classical music's presence at the station was expanded, though Florian said that it was a tough sell.<ref name="Shen"/>

Sonia Atzeff, a graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago, was hired as program director in 1958, and she steered WNIB's programming toward a classical music format.<ref name="Shen"/><ref name="BCYearbook1959">1959 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1959. p. B-143. Retrieved February 20, 2019.</ref> As a classical station, WNIB would later be branded "Classical 97".<ref name="RadioWaves">Chicagoland Radio Waves, MediaTies. Summer 1988/Spring-Summer 1989. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Sonia Atzeff and Bill Florian were married in 1967, and Sonia later became general manager of the station, a position she held until its sale in 2001.<ref name="BillFlorian"/><ref name="BCYearbook1979">Broadcasting Yearbook 1979, Broadcasting, 1979. p. C-64. Retrieved February 20, 2019.</ref><ref>"Soothing sounds go silent", The Times of Northwest Indiana. February 11, 2001. Retrieved February 17, 2019.</ref>

Ron Ray began as a part-time announcer on WNIB in 1968.<ref name="Grier">Grier, Lita. "Remembering Ron Ray", WNIB Program Guide. bruceduffie.com. Retrieved February 19, 2019.</ref> Working concurrently at 105.9 WXFM, Ray pre-recorded his announcements.<ref name="Grier"/> In 1977, Ray began working full-time at WNIB as program director.<ref name="Grier"/> Live classical hosts on WNIB over the years included Fred Heft, Jay Andres, Bruce Duffie, Carl Grapentine, Scott Thomas, and Obie Yadgar.<ref name="Mahany">Mahany, Barbara. "This Is About a Wild and Crazy Man + His Wife + Their 'Mom and Pop' Radio Station Which Became 1 in Classical Music in the Chicago Area", Chicago Tribune. June 23, 1997. Retrieved February 19, 2019.</ref><ref name="Jacobs62397">Jacobs, Jodie. "He's a Broadcasting Classic", Chicago Tribune. January 3, 1999. Retrieved February 19, 2019.</ref><ref name="Winter1991">"WNIB FM 97.1", Radio Chicago. p. 58. Winter 1991. Retrieved February 19, 2019.</ref> Miller Peters was the station's music director in its final years, and also served as a weekend host.<ref name="Mahany"/><ref name="Jacobs62397"/><ref name="Winter1991"/> Syndicated programs included Adventures in Good Music with Karl Haas, which aired Mon–Fri at 7 p.m.<ref name="Winter1991"/>

While classical music was the station's primary focus, for a period, brokered ethnic and religious programming aired in some late night hours.<ref name="Shen"/> The brokered ethnic and religious programming were dropped in the 1980s.<ref name="Haynes">Haynes, V. Dion. "Station WNIB Making Waves With a Classical Success Story", Chicago Tribune. July 25, 1986. Retrieved February 20, 2019.</ref>

Florian, a jazz aficionado, also hired Dick Buckley as a DJ for the station's jazz programming.<ref name="Shen"/><ref>Biro, Nick. "Dealers Swing With Jazz", Billboard. April 28, 1962. p. 12. Retrieved February 18, 2019.</ref> Neil Tesser also hosted a jazz program on WNIB from 1974 to 1976.<ref>"Neil Tesser, WFMT Radio Network. Retrieved February 18, 2019.</ref><ref>Duston, Anne. "Awards to Three For Contributing to Chicago Jazz", Billboard. December 26, 1974. p. 3. Retrieved February 18, 2019.</ref> Blues hosts included Mr. A. and Big Bill Collins.<ref>Seigenthaler, Katherine. "Classic Sounds in the Wee Hours", Chicago Tribune. July 25, 1989. Retrieved February 18, 2019.</ref>

Those Were the Days, a four-hour old-time radio program hosted by Chuck Schaden, aired on WNIB Saturdays from September 6, 1975, until February 10, 2001.<ref name="TWTD7895"/> Dick Lawrence hosted The Dick Lawrence Review, a weekly program on WNIB that featured nostalgic commentary and readings, along with vintage music.<ref>Chicago Radio Guide. Vol. 1, No. 1. May 1985. p. 54. Retrieved January 17, 2019.</ref><ref>Heise, Kenan. "Dick Lawrence, 66; Was Host of WNIB Weekly Radio Show", Chicago Tribune. March 31, 1992. Retrieved February 18, 2019.</ref>

Facilities

WNIB's studios and transmitter were originally located at the Midwest Hotel, at Hamlin and Madison in West Garfield Park.<ref name="Shen"/><ref name="HistoryCards">History Cards for WDRV, fcc.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2019.</ref> Subsequent studio locations for WNIB included 108 N. State St., Riverside Plaza, 25 E. Chestnut St., 12 East Delaware Place, and finally 1140 W. Erie.<ref name="HistoryCards"/><ref name="Jacobs62397"/> In 1968, the station's transmitter was moved to the Civic Opera Building.<ref name="HistoryCards"/> In 1976, WNIB's antenna and transmitter were relocated to the top of the Standard Oil Building.<ref name="HistoryCards"/>

In 1983, the Florians purchased 96.9 WKZN in Zion, Illinois, for $1 million.<ref name="Shen"/> The station's call sign was changed to WNIZ, and it began simulcasting the programming of WNIB.<ref name="Shen"/><ref name="Haynes"/> The following year, WNIB's ERP was increased from 850 watts to 8,400 watts.<ref name="HistoryCards"/><ref>Public Notice Comment – BPH-19831109AI, fcc.gov. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref><ref>Public Notice Comment – BLH-19840515CP, fcc.gov. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref> Its ratings grew significantly in the following years, and by the late 1980s it began to surpass 98.7 WFMT.<ref name="Shen"/><ref name="Haynes"/>

Further history

In 1969, WNIB began publishing a monthly program guide which listed all the music being played each day on the station.<ref>Marsh, Robert C. "FM Scene Information Guide", Chicago Sun-Times. March 30, 1969. Section 3, Page 5. bruceduffie.com. Retrieved February 19, 2019.</ref><ref name="ProgGuide">WNIB Program Guide, bruceduffie.com. Retrieved February 19, 2019.</ref> The inclusion of the label and record number enabled listeners to purchase things they enjoyed hearing, and the subscription price helped keep the station going during the leaner times. The covers at first had details of well-known artworks, and later had original sketches and caricatures by Richard Kimmel and Robert Kameczura.<ref name="ProgGuide"/>

When 99.5 WEFM was sold and abandoned its longtime classical music format in 1978, a portion of its classical music library was donated to WNIB as part of the settlement to permit the station's sale.<ref name="Brenner">Brenner, Daniel L. "Government Regulation of Radio Program Format Changes", University of Pennsylvania Law Review. Volume 127. 1978. Retrieved February 18, 2019.</ref>

WNIB was also famous for having dogs and cats in residence, which were audible at times during announcements.<ref name="Mahany"/><ref name="Shen"/><ref name="BillFlorian"/> The animals were featured in local media, and listeners seemed to enjoy knowing that they were there.<ref name="Mahany"/><ref name="Shen"/><ref name="BillFlorian"/>

In 1999, the media brokerage team of Bob Heymann and Jack Minkow began serious discussions with Bill and Sonia Florian regarding the possible value of WNIB (and WNIZ) in a sale to another Chicago radio station owner. After much deliberation, in 2000 the Florians listed the stations with Heymann and Minkow. There was significant interest from a number of broadcasters with Bonneville International in November 2000 ultimately making the best offer of $165,000,000 cash for the FM licenses, the WNIB transmitter lease at the Standard Oil Building, the studio lease for WNIZ in Zion, Illinois, and the WNIZ transmitter site and tower in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.<ref name="Shen"/><ref>Von Rhein, John. "R.I.P. WNIB", Chicago Tribune. December 10, 2000. Retrieved February 18, 2019.</ref> With the proceeds of the sale, the Florians established the NIB Foundation, which awarded grants to music, dance, environmental, and animal rights causes.<ref name="BillFlorian"/><ref>Feder, Robert. "Robservations: Bill Kurtis lends voice to WGN Radio", RobertFeder.com. December 12, 2016. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref>

After the completion of a final program on February 11, the station was turned off.<ref name="Delacoma">Delacoma, Wynne. "Classical station bows out with class", Chicago Sun-Times. kcstudio.com. February 13, 2001. Retrieved February 19, 2019.</ref> The following day, new owners took the air with a different format.<ref name="Delacoma"/>

Bill Florian died on December 7, 2016, of lung cancer at the age of 84.<ref>Feder, Robert. "Robservations: Bill Kurtis lends voice to WGN Radio", www.robertfeder.com, December 12, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2019.</ref><ref name="BillFlorian"/>

WDRV

On February 12, 2001, 97.1 began to stunt with all day sets from artists such as Barbra Streisand, Garth Brooks, the Beach Boys, Madonna, Pink Floyd, and the Beatles, while its simulcast partner 96.9 WNIZ began simulcasting 101.9 WTMX.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>"Street Talk", Radio & Records. February 16, 2001. p. 30. Retrieved February 20, 2019.</ref> On March 15, 2001, the call sign was changed to WDRV, and the station adopted a classic hits format as "The Drive".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>"Bonneville Goes for a Drive in Chicago", Radio & Records. March 23, 2001. p. 3. Retrieved February 20, 2019.</ref> In 2003, 96.9 in Zion began simulcasting WDRV, and its call sign was changed to WWDV.<ref>"FM News", VHF-UHF Digest. February 2003. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref>

Over the years, The Drive's format evolved into a broad-based classic rock format.<ref>"10 Questions with ... Bob Stroud", All Access Music Group. April 17, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2019.</ref>

Bonneville announced the sale of WDRV and 16 other stations, to Hubbard Broadcasting on January 19, 2011.<ref name=ri-saletohubbard>Template:Cite news</ref> The sale was completed on April 29, 2011.<ref name=ri-hubbardtakeover>Template:Cite news</ref>

On June 27, 2011, WDRV celebrated its 10th anniversary by organizing a free-entrance concert at the Rosemont Theatre by America and headliner Jethro Tull.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Online streaming of the "Deep Tracks" programming broadcast on WDRV's HD2 subchannel was discontinued in October 2013, due to its popularity.<ref name="deeptracks"/> The high amount of traffic to the site made the stream too expensive to maintain, considering the cost of the service, royalty payments and lack of commercials to offset costs.

The station celebrated its 15th anniversary on Friday, May 20, 2016, with a concert at the Rosemont Theater featuring Boston and Jefferson Starship.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

WDRV features The Sherman & Tingle Show (Brian Sherman and Steve Tingle which debuted the morning of October 31, 2016.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The station's current weekday airstaff includes Sherman & Tingle (mornings), Bob Stroud (middays), Janda Lane (afternoons), and Alice Cooper (evenings).

Signal note

WDRV is short-spaced to sister station WWDV (licensed to serve Zion, Illinois) as they operate on adjacent channels and the cities they are licensed to serve are only 40 miles apart.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The minimum distance between two Class B FM radio stations operating on adjacent channels according to current FCC rules is 105 miles.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Both stations use directional antennas to reduce their signals toward each other.<ref name="fccdata"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

External links

• Template:Official website
• Articles, photos and other info about WNIB
• Template:FM station data