Radio's impact in America: from WGN to digital age
Before the digital revolution, radio was the main way that Americans got their news and updates. Radio also allowed those who couldn't travel to TV or the Internet to express their views.

Chicago had 20 radio stations broadcasting their first broadcasts in 1924.

Sears became a leader in radio with its Chicago headquarters, Homan Square and its mail order plant. WLS (World's Largest store) was created to capitalize on the brand. WLS quickly became a major force in Chicago's market for radio.

As radio stations expanded, they began to offer different formats. WLS began to focus on top-40 instead of its rural audience. WCFL followed suit shortly after. Both stations lost a lot of their local appeal when other stations changed their formats to try and attract new listeners.

The 1980s saw the first FM stations appear on radio dials. They quickly became popular. Radio stations on FM were heard more easily and had better sound than AM. The FM format was also ideal for talk shows, which became a great success and rekindled radio's role as a medium of entertainment and news.

yolk - south loop chicago il, illinoismail.top,'s AM flagship stations dominated the dial in the 1990s. WGN, however, switched from a full-service format to a sports and talk format. Meanwhile WGCI changed from traditional news format to adult contemporary music outlet; and WVAZ became an AMFM before merging with Clear Channel.

WGN's ownership changed again in 1999. Chancellor Media purchased it and turned it into a new/talk outlet. Eight Forty Eight, the morning program that had been running for many years, was no longer broadcast. WGN was the leader in the market until Nexstar bought it in 2007.

Nexstar has undergone a number of staffing changes since that time: Bob Sirott took over Steve Cochran’s morning drive duties, Bill Leff was relieved of his midday duties and Wendy Snyder was released from her evening hosting duties. In recent years Nexstar focused on hiring new talent to stay relevant in the marketplace.