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WLS
CHICAGO IL
AM BROADCAST
890.0 kHz
RADIO LICENSE HOLDINGS LLC
780 Johnson Ferry Road
Suite 500
Atlanta GA 30342
4049490700
Facility ID: 73227
Licensed
HD Radio digital hybrid
View Public File
Correspondence
Enforcement History
FRN: 0023190655
  
This record has been enhanced by the REC Radio History Project. Pre-1932 data has been manually entered by REC based on FRC Radio Service Bulletins. Click here to learn more.
This record has been enhanced by the REC Radio History Project. Pre-1980 data has been manually entered by REC based on information from FCC History Cards. Click here to learn more.
History Grid View - Return to Classic View
Radio Service Bulletins
Estimated Date   Callsign Frequency Daytime Power Nighttime Power   Location  
05/01/1924 New station WLS 870 500500   CHICAGO IL  
SEARS, ROEBUCK & CO.
02/02/1925 WLS 870 500500   CHICAGO IL  
11/02/1925 WLS 870 15001500   CRETE IL  
01/30/1926 WLS 870 50005000   CRETE IL  
04/30/1927 WLS 870 50005000   CRETE (CHICAGO) IL  
05/31/1927 WLS 870 50005000   CRETE (CHICAGO) IL  
11/30/1928 WLS 870 50005000   CRETE (CHICAGO) IL  
AGRICULTURAL BROADCASTING CO.
02/28/1929 WLS 870 50005000   CRETE (CHICAGO) IL  
ON LIST
03/31/1931 WLS 870 2500025000   DOWNERS GROVE IL  
LOC 41-44-35 88-00-30//50000 EXPERIMENTALLY
Construction Permits and Licenses
Date Field File Number Application
Type		 Application
Status		 Status
Date		 Permit
Expires		 kHz Daytime Power Nighttime Power Schedule or
Time Share		 Antenna
Mode		 Facility
Type
04/12/1927 4-S-B-577 License to Cover Granted 04/21/1927 870 5000 5000 Unlimited NonDirectional Main
REQ 870KC, 5KW - WILLING TO SHARE WITH WCBD.
04/12/1927 4-S-B-577 License to Cover Granted 06/01/1927 870 5000 5000 WCBD NonDirectional Main
12/05/1928 4-P-B-437 Minor Modification Superceded 04/23/1929 870 100000 100000 WCBD NonDirectional Main
CP TO USE AS MANY HRS BET 7PM AND 12PM AS COMMISSION WILL GRANT INC. POWER TO 100 KW
04/23/1929 4-P-B-437 Minor Modification Permit Cancelled 10/07/1929 870 25000 25000 WENR-WBCN NonDirectional Main
25KW WITH 25KW ADDED EXPRIMENTALLY. DIVIDES WENR-WBCN, WLS TO USE FIVE-SEVENTHS TIME. APPL CANCELLED BY GRANTING OF 4-ML-B-763
01/07/1930 4-MP-B-46 CP Extension Permit Cancelled 02/03/1930 870 25000 25000 WENR-WBCN NonDirectional Main
APPL CANCELLED BY GRANTING OF 4-ML-B-763 030631
04/30/1930 4-MP-B-78 CP Extension Permit Cancelled 06/06/1930 870 25000 25000 WENR-WBCN NonDirectional Main
CANCELLED BY GRANTING OF 4-ML-B-763 030831
06/20/1930 4-MP-B-117 CP Extension Permit Cancelled 09/05/1930 11/06/1930 870 25000 25000 WENR-WBCN NonDirectional Main
APPL CANCELLED BY GRANTING OF 4-ML-B-763 030631
10/30/1930 4-MP-B-146 CP Extension Permit Cancelled 01/06/1931 02/06/1931 870 25000 25000 WENR-WBCN NonDirectional Main
APPL CANCELLED BY GRANTING OF 4-ML-B-763 030631
02/06/1931 4-MP-B-177 CP Extension Permit Cancelled 03/06/1931 870 25000 25000 WENR-WBCN NonDirectional Main
APPL CANCELLED BY GRANTING OF 4-ML-B-763
02/16/1931 4-ML-B-577 Modify License Granted 07/07/1931 870 50000 50000 WENR-WBCN NonDirectional Main
INCREASE POWER FROM 5KW TO 50KW TO BE USED ON WENR-WBCN'S TRANSMITTER ON 870KC (REVISED SITE COORDS FROM RSB)
07/14/1932 4-ML-B-1032 License to Cover-Aux Granted 08/05/1932 870 30000 30000 WENR-WBCN NonDirectional Auxiliary
USE AUX OF WENR-WBCN AS AUX FOR WLS
10/15/1937 B4-P-1966 Minor Modification Granted 03/01/1938 05/01/1938 870 50000 50000 WENR NonDirectional Main
06/16/1938 B4-MP-673 CP Extension Granted 07/11/1938 02/06/1939 870 50000 50000 WENR NonDirectional Main
B4-P-1966
11/04/1938 B4-L-877 License to Cover-Aux Granted 11/21/1938 870 50000 50000 WENR NonDirectional Auxiliary
LIC TO USE WENR'S T (RCA 150-B-1) AS AUX
11/22/1938 B4-L-881 License to Cover Granted 11/22/1938 870 50000 50000 WENR NonDirectional Main
B4-P-1966
09/27/1939 B4-Z-206 Direct Measurement Granted 10/30/1939 870 50000 50000 WENR NonDirectional Main
01/02/1951 BZ-3252 Direct Measurement Granted 01/15/1951 890 50000 50000 WENR NonDirectional Main
10/14/1955 BP-10143 Auxiliary Permit Granted 10/26/1955 06/26/1956 890 5000 5000 Unlimited NonDirectional Auxiliary
12/16/1955 BL-6019 License to Cover-Aux Granted 02/02/1956 890 5000 5000 Unlimited NonDirectional Auxiliary
BP-10143
07/24/1959 BP-13200 Minor Modification Granted 08/14/1959 04/14/1960 890 50000 50000 Unlimited NonDirectional Main
INSTALL NEW T GE BT-50A
12/10/1959 BL-7769 License to Cover Granted 03/22/1961 890 50000 50000 Unlimited NonDirectional Main
BP-13200
08/21/1963 BP-15988 Auxiliary Permit Granted 10/15/1963 06/15/1964 890 5000 5000 Unlimited NonDirectional Auxiliary
INSTALL AUX T, ANTENNA AND GROUND SYSTEM AT 183RD ST & ROUTE 45, TINLEY PARK IL
03/31/1964 BL-10572 License to Cover-Aux Granted 09/25/1964 890 5000 5000 Unlimited NonDirectional Auxiliary
BP-15988
04/23/1970 BP-18767 Auxiliary Permit Granted 05/21/1970 01/21/1971 890 10000 10000 Unlimited NonDirectional Auxiliary
NEW AUX T GATES BC-10E
11/11/1970 BL-12818 License to Cover-Aux Granted 10/06/1971 890 10000 10000 Unlimited NonDirectional Auxiliary
BP-18767
03/29/1973 BP-19383 Minor Modification Permit Cancelled 04/23/1973 890 50000 50000 Unlimited NonDirectional Main
INSTALL NEW T GATES MW-50//042674 FORFEITED
03/31/1975 BP- Minor Modification Application Returned 01/30/1976 890 50000 50000 Unlimited NonDirectional Main
APRET REQ OF ATTY
07/17/1979 BZ-19790717AB Direct Measurement Granted 11/30/1979 890 50000 50000 Unlimited NonDirectional Main
07/31/1986 BL-19860731AL License to Cover Granted 09/02/1986 890 50000 50000 NonDirectional Main
TO LICENSE ANTENNA AS AN AUXILIARY ANTENNA.
Assignment of Licenses and Permits
Date Field File Number Assignor Assignee Application
Status		 Status
Date
10/25/1928 4-A-B-15 SEARS, ROEBUCK & CO. AGRICULTURAL BROADCASTING CO. Granted 11/11/1928
02/10/1954 BAL-1725 AGRICULTURAL BROADCASTING CO. WLS, INC. Granted 03/10/1954
06/13/1986 BAL-19860613KN Granted 06/27/1986
VOL AL FROM WLS, INC. TO WLS-AM HOLDING COMPANY, INC. FORM 316 AUX DAVID R. ANDERSON,ATTY.
02/09/2006 BAL-20060209ADZ WLS, INC. RADIO LICENSE HOLDING XI, LLC Granted 02/16/2006
Voluntary Assignment of License From: WLS, INC. To: RADIO LICENSE HOLDING XI, LLC Form 316
12/22/2009 BAL-20091222ALM RADIO LICENSE HOLDING XI, LLC RADIO LICENSE HOLDING XI, LLC, DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION Granted 12/30/2009
Involuntary Assignment of License From: RADIO LICENSE HOLDING XI, LLC To: RADIO LICENSE HOLDING XI, LLC, DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION Form 316
05/04/2010 BAL-20100504ALD RADIO LICENSE HOLDING XI, LLC, DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION RADIO LICENSE HOLDING XI, LLC Granted 05/26/2010
Voluntary Assignment of License, as amended From: RADIO LICENSE HOLDING XI, LLC, DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION To: RADIO LICENSE HOLDING XI, LLC Form 316
05/04/2010 BAL-20100504ALD RADIO LICENSE HOLDING XI, LLC, DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION RADIO LICENSE HOLDING XI, LLC Superceded 05/25/2010
Voluntary Assignment of License From: RADIO LICENSE HOLDING XI, LLC, DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION To: RADIO LICENSE HOLDING XI, LLC Form 316
11/26/2013 BAL-20131126BCC RADIO LICENSE HOLDING XI, LLC RADIO LICENSE HOLDINGS LLC Granted 12/16/2013
Voluntary Assignment of License From: RADIO LICENSE HOLDING XI, LLC To: RADIO LICENSE HOLDINGS LLC Form 316
Transfer of Control
Date Field File Number Transferor Transferee Application
Status		 SStatus
Date
04/28/1948 BTC-640 BURRIDGE D. BUTLER, DECEASED THOMAS E. MURPHY & JAMES E. EDWARDS, CO-EXECUTORS OF THE WILL OF BURRIDGE D. BUTLER, DECEASED Granted 06/18/1948
08/16/1948 BTC-681 THOMAS E. MURPHY AND JAMES E. EDWARDS, CO-EXECUTORS OF THE WILL OF BURRIDGE D. BUTLER INA H. BUTLER Granted 12/08/1948
05/18/1951 BTC-1123 THOMAS E. MURPHY AND JAMES E. EDWARDS, CO-EXECUTORS OF THE WILL OF BURRIDGE D. BUTLER GUS A. HOLT, FRED W. ORLEMANN, JAMES E. EDWARDS, GEORGE R. COOK, THOMAS E. MURPHY AND ARTHUR C. PAGE, INDIVIDUALL AND AS TRUSTEES OF THE BURRIDGE D. BUTLER MEMORIAL TRUST OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Granted 06/18/1951
11/06/1957 BTC-2655 AGRICULTURAL BROADCASTING COMPANY THE PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING COMPANY Granted 11/29/1957
07/22/1958 BTC-2857 THE PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING COMPANY AMERICAN BROADCASTING-PARAMOUNT THEATRES, INC. Granted 08/04/1958
12/03/1959 BTC-3319 PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO. (50% OWNER OF WLS, INC.) AMERICAN BROADCASTING-PARAMOUNT THEATRES, INC. (ACQUISITION OF POSITIVE CONTROL) Granted 12/29/1959
03/31/1966 BTC-5064 AMERICAN BROADCASTING COMPANIES, INC. AMERICAN BROADCASTING COMPANIES, INC. Granted 12/21/1966
07/01/1985 BTC-19850701KS Granted 11/14/1985
VOLUNTARY TC OF AMERICAN BROADCASTING COMPANIES, INC. FROM ITS STOCKHOLDERS TO CAPITAL CITIES COMMUNICATIONS, INC. THOMAS N. FROHOCK, ATTY(TRANSFEROR'S) STEPHEN A. WEISWASSER, ATTY(TRANSFEREE'S) FORM 315.
08/23/1995 BTC-19950823KZ Granted 02/08/1996
TRANSFER OF CONTROL FROM CAPITAL CITIES/ABC, INC. TO THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY. FORM 315 TRANSFEREE'S ATTY: JOHN H. BEISNER & JOHN E. WELCH., ESQ. TRANSFEROR'S ATTY: JOEL ROSENBLOOM, ESQ. THIS APPLICATION IS GRANTED BY COMMISSION'S M O & O 2-8-96 FCC#96-48
11/13/2003 BTC-20031113AFH DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC. ABC ENTERPRISES, INC. Granted 12/05/2003
Voluntary Transfer of Control From: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC. To: ABC ENTERPRISES, INC. Form 316
02/28/2006 BTC-20060228ALA THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS OF WALT DISNEY CO. & CITADEL BROADCASTING CORP. Granted 03/22/2007
Voluntary Transfer of Control, as amended From: THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY To: SHAREHOLDERS OF WALT DISNEY CO. & CITADEL BROADCASTING CORP. Form 315 Petition to Deny filed 4/3/2006 by Red Wolf Broadcasting Corporation
02/28/2006 BTC-20060228ALA THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS OF WALT DISNEY CO. & CITADEL BROADCASTING CORP. Superceded 03/03/2006
Voluntary Transfer of Control From: THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY To: SHAREHOLDERS OF WALT DISNEY CO. & CITADEL BROADCASTING CORP. Form 315
03/18/2010 BTC-20100318AKN EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS OF CITADEL BROADCASTING CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS OF CITADEL BROADCASTING CORPORATION (AS REORG) Granted 05/26/2010
Voluntary Transfer of Control, as amended From: EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS OF CITADEL BROADCASTING CORPORATION To: SHAREHOLDERS OF CITADEL BROADCASTING CORPORATION (AS REORG) Form 315
03/18/2010 BTC-20100318AKN EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS OF CITADEL BROADCASTING CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS OF CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY, AS REORGANIZED Superceded 05/21/2010
Voluntary Transfer of Control From: EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS OF CITADEL BROADCASTING CORPORATION To: SHAREHOLDERS OF CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY, AS REORGANIZED Form 315
03/31/2011 BTC-20110331AEW SHAREHOLDERS OF CITADEL BROADCASTING CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS OF CUMULUS MEDIA INC. Granted 09/14/2011
Voluntary Transfer of Control, as amended From: SHAREHOLDERS OF CITADEL BROADCASTING CORPORATION To: SHAREHOLDERS OF CUMULUS MEDIA INC. Form 315 Granted Witrh Conditions - MO&O - DA 11-1546
03/31/2011 BTC-20110331AEW SHAREHOLDERS OF CITADEL BROADCASTING CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS OF CUMULUS MEDIA INC. Superceded 06/07/2011
Voluntary Transfer of Control, as amended From: SHAREHOLDERS OF CITADEL BROADCASTING CORPORATION To: SHAREHOLDERS OF CUMULUS MEDIA INC. Form 315
03/31/2011 BTC-20110331AEW SHAREHOLDERS OF CITADEL BROADCASTING CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS OF CUMULUS MEDIA INC. Superceded 04/20/2011
Voluntary Transfer of Control From: SHAREHOLDERS OF CITADEL BROADCASTING CORPORATION To: SHAREHOLDERS OF CUMULUS MEDIA INC. Form 315
03/31/2011 BTC-20110331AEW SHAREHOLDERS OF CITADEL BROADCASTING CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS OF CUMULUS MEDIA INC. Superceded 07/21/2011
Voluntary Transfer of Control, as amended From: SHAREHOLDERS OF CITADEL BROADCASTING CORPORATION To: SHAREHOLDERS OF CUMULUS MEDIA INC. Form 315
Special Temporary Authority (STA) and Experimental and other miscellaneous authorizations
Type Date File Number Remarks Outcome
Chg Main Studio Location 07/07/1930 4-M-B-619 PRAIRIE FARMER BLDG, 1230 W WASHINGTON BL Granted
Special Service Authority 06/24/1932 S-B-577 REBROADCAST 2-WAY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ARMY PLANES AND WLS Granted
Special Service Authority 07/05/1932 S-B-577 REBROADCAST 2-WAY COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN ARMY PLANES AND WLS Granted
Special Service Authority 07/24/1934 S-B-577 TO MAKE FIELD MEASUREMENTS USING 100 WATT PORTABLE TRANS AT FORMER SITE OF TRANS OF WLS FROM 072434-080134 Granted
Special Service Authority 08/04/1937 B4-S-577 WAIVE REG. SIGN-OFF & SIGN-ON ANNOUNCEMENTS MADE DURING CONCERTS ONLY SPONSORED JOINTLY MAYOR KELLY & JAS. C. PETRILLO - 8PM PERIOD 8/4 TO 9/2 PROV. PROPER ANNOUNCEMENT MADE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE AND AFTER CONCERT. Granted
Special Service Authority 09/01/1937 B4-S-577 EXT WAIVE REG REQUIRED SIGN-OFF AND SIGN-ON ANNOUNCEMENTS DURING CONCERTS ONLY SPONSORED JOINTLY BY MAYOR KELLY & JAS C. PETRILLO -8PM 9/3 TO 9/6 PROV. PROPER ANNOUNCEMENT MADE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE & AFTER CONCERT. Granted
Special Service Authority 09/07/1937 B4-S-577 OPER 75W TEST TRANS 870 KC BET HRS 12 MID AND 6AM CST PURPOSE DETERMINING EFFECTIVENESS VARIOUS SITES FOR STATION LOCATION IN OR NEAR COOK CO 9/7 TO 10/6. NO OPR DURING MON. SCHEDULE. Granted
Special Service Authority 01/03/1938 B4-S-577 WAIVE REGULARLY REQUIRED SIGN-OFF AND SIGN-ON ANNOUNCEMENTS DURING PROG. PHILA. SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 8PM 1/3, 10 Granted
Special Service Authority 01/17/1938 B4-S-577 WAIVE REGULARLY REQUIRED SIGN-OFF & SIGN-ON ANNOUNCEMENTS DURING PROG BY PHILA. SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 8PM MONDAY NIGHTS 1/17, 24, 31 Granted
Special Service Authority 01/26/1938 B4-S-577 EXT. WAIVE REG. REQUIRED SIGN-OFF AND SIGN-ON ANNOUNCEMENTS DURING PROG PHILA. SYM. 8PM EST 2/7, 14, 21, 28, 3/7 Granted
Special Service Authority 02/25/1938 B4-S-577 EXT WAIVE REGULARLY REQUIRED SIGN-OFF AND SIGN-ON ANNOUNCEMENTS DURING PROGR BY PHILA. SYMPHONY 8PM EST 3/14, 21, 28, 4/4, 4/11 Granted
Special Service Authority 10/10/1938 B4-S-577 TO USE PRESENT WLS-WENR TRANS FOR AUX PURPOSE DURING PROG. TEST PERIOD, PENDING ACTION ON APPLICATION Granted
Special Service Authority 07/11/1940 B4-S-577 REBR TRANSMISSIONS RECORDED FROM BOONE COUNTY POLICE RADIO SYSTEM FROM 11:45 TO 12:15PM ON 7/11/40 Granted
Special Service Authority 06/12/1941 B4-S-577 TO OPER SPEC LAB TRANSMITTER AS RELAY B/C STA ON 37980 KC WITH 1/2 W TO RECORD ON GROUND & REBOADCAST OVER WLS THE HUMAN VOICE & RATE OF HEART BEAT & OTHER SCIENTIFIC DATA DURING FREE FALL IN AIR PRIOR TO OPENING OF PARACHUTE, 6-12-41 TO 7-11-41 Granted
Chg Remote Control Point 05/04/1964 BRC-1861 20 N WACHER DR, KEMPER INSURANCE BLDG Granted
Chg Remote Control Point 05/04/1964 BRC-1972 20 N WACKER DR, KEMPER INSURANCE BLDG. (WBKB-TV TRANSMITTER LOCATION) Granted
Chg Remote Control Point 09/02/1964 BRC-2522 360 N MICHIGAN AV, CHICAGO IL Granted
Chg Remote Control Point 09/02/1964 BRC-2521 360 N MICHIGAN AV, CHICAGO IL Granted
Emerg Broadcast System 05/25/1972 EBSA-
Additional notes
Date Type Remarks Outcome
03/24/1941 NARBA Reallocation
11/06/1942 Order 107
07/10/1945 Order 107A
11/24/1967 National Defense Auth
10/16/1971 National Defense Auth
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