| Broadcast area | La Salle/Peru |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1250kHz |
| Branding | FM 98.5 WSPL |
| Programming | |
| Format | Defunct (wasoldies) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WALS,WBZG,WGLC-FM,WIVQ,WSTQ,WYYS | |
| History | |
First air date | September 26,1953 (as WIZZ)[2] |
Last air date | September 1, 2023 (2023-9-1) |
Former call signs | WIZZ (1953–2001)[3] |
Call sign meaning | "Where Streator People Listen" |
| Technical information[4] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 63535 |
| Class | D |
| Power |
|
Transmitter coordinates | 41°09′30″N88°50′13″W / 41.15833°N 88.83694°W /41.15833; -88.83694 |
| Translator(s) | 98.5 W253BX (Streator) |
| Repeater(s) | 106.1 WYYS-HD2 (Streator) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | www.985spl.com/ |
WSPL (1250AM) was an Americanradio station licensed to serve thecommunity ofStreator, Illinois. The station is owned byShaw Media, through licensee Shaw Local Radio Co., after previously being owned by Studstill Media/Mendota Broadcasting, Inc. until April 2023.
The station, established in 1953 as WIZZ, was assigned thecall sign WSPL by theFederal Communications Commission (FCC) on January 25,2001.[2][3]
WSPL aired anoldies format;[5][6] it previously broadcast anews/talk radio format.[7] Local programming on WSPL included amorning drive show, and sports with Illinois Hall of Fame Broadcaster "Big Al" Hauessler, along with atradio show calledThe Swap Shop. Sports broadcasts includedStreator Township High School football and, up until recently, simulcasts ofChicago White Sox baseball andChicago Bulls basketball.[8]
On January 24, 2023, it was announced that Studstill Media had sold WSPL, along with its sister stations, toShaw Media inCrystal Lake, Illinois, for a total of $1.8 million. The sale was under FCC review for just under two months before being finalized on March 23, 2023.[9] Shaw Local Radio officially assumed ownership of WSPL and its sister stations on April 3, 2023.[1] WSPL's 1250 AM facility wentsilent on September 1, 2023;[10] its programming continued ontranslator station W253BX (98.5 FM) and the secondHD Radio channel ofWYYS.
"Cousin Ed" Nowotarski hosted "Polka Party", a livepolka music program, on WSPL for 34 years before retiring from broadcasting in November 2001.[11] Nowotarski died in January 2004.[12]
Shaw Local Radio requested the cancellation of WSPL's license on March 6, 2024;[13] the Federal Communications Commission cancelled it on March 8.[14]