AM Changes
CBS Radio News 780 WBBM Chicago has applied to vacate its tower site of the last 75 years and co-locate at the site of sister Sports “670 The Score” WSCR and SBS’ “La Ley 107.9” WLEY-FM Aurora.
From its new location WBBM will drop from 50kW day/night to 35kW day/42kW night but with the taller tower should come close to duplicating its current coverage. With WBBM’s simulcast partner 105.9 WCFS Elmwood Park being the home to most of its in-market listening it is doubtful most WBBM listeners even notice the change.
WBBM currently operates from a 55 acre site adjacent to the intersection of Interstate 290 and Illinois 390 in Itasca IL. Likely valued in the tens or hundreds of millions this is not the first time the station has sought a potential move. In 1988, the adjacent Roselle Village sought to annex 22 acres for WBBM to build a 680 foot tower so that Hamilton Partners could purchase the current property to build a mixed-use business park.
Continue reading for info on a suburban Boston FM seeking three boosters to improve its coverage in the city, a Bakersfield FM move-in attempt, and the regular rundown of translator applications, dismissals, and call letter changes.