 | |
| Broadcast area | |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 102.7MHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | V103 |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Format | Urban adult contemporary |
| Subchannels | HD2:WMFNsimulcast (Black Information Network) |
| Affiliations | Premiere Networks |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| History | |
First air date | October 17, 1950 (75 years ago) (1950-10-17)[1] |
Former call signs | |
Former frequencies | 102.3 MHz (1950–58)[2] |
Call sign meaning | Slogan of "Variety from A to Z" |
| Technical information[4] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 6588 |
| Class | B |
| ERP |
|
| HAAT | 425 meters (1,394 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 41°53′56″N87°37′23″W / 41.899°N 87.623°W /41.899; -87.623 |
| Repeater | 640 AMWMFNPeotone (HD2) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live (viaiHeartRadio) |
| Website | v103 |
WVAZ (102.7FM, "V103") is anurban adult contemporaryradio station serving theChicago metropolitan area andNorthwest Indiana.Licensed toOak Park, Illinois, WVAZ is owned byiHeartMedia, Inc.. WVAZ carries thenationally syndicated "Steve Harvey Morning Show" and "The Sweat Hotel withKeith Sweat."
WVAZ'sradio studios and offices are located at theIllinois Center complex onMichigan Avenue inDowntown Chicago. It broadcasts from atransmitter atop theJohn Hancock Center. In 2005, WVAZ began broadcasting inIBOCdigital radio, using theHD Radio system fromiBiquity.[5] Its HD2digital subchannel carries theBlack Information Network, which issimulcast market-wide onWMFN (640 AM) inPeotone.
The station began broadcasting October 17, 1950 and held the call sign WOPA-FM.[1][2] It was a sister station to WOPA 1490, the present-dayWEUR.[6] The call letters WOPA stood for theOak Park Arms, a hotel on Oak Park Avenue where the station's studios and transmitter were located.[7][2] The station originally broadcast at 102.3 MHz, and had anERP of 1,000 watts at aHAAT of 250 feet.[2] In 1958, the station's frequency was changed to 102.7 MHz, and its ERP and HAAT were increased to 3,550 watts and 260 feet respectively.[2]
Pervis Spann began his radio career on WOPA in 1959.[8][9]
In 1962, the station's ERP was increased to 8,100 watts, while its HAAT was decreased to 231 feet.[2] In 1965 its ERP was increased to 17,000 watts, and in 1967 its ERP was increased to 50,000 watts.[2]
On May 21, 1967, WOPA-FM began airingprogressive rock Sunday nights.[10] On March 4, 1968, the station began airing a two and a half hour nightly progressive rock program titled "Rock Garden".[11] Another overnight progressive rock program was added in October 1968.[10]
In May 1969, the station's call sign was changed to WGLD.[2] The station adopted anoldies format.[12][13] On January 5, 1970, the station switched to a full time progressive rock format.[14][15]
In 1972, the station's transmitter was moved to theJohn Hancock Center, and its ERP was reduced to 6,000 watts.[2]
In 1973, the station aired a sex talk show hosted by Morgan Moore calledFemme Forum, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.[16][17] The Federal Communications Commission fined the station $2,000 for an episode which dealt with the subject oforal sex, and stated that the show's "titillating, pandering fashion" of the episode's discussions constituted "broadcast obscenity".[16][18] The station's owner, Sonderling Broadcasting, did not appeal the ruling.[18]Femme Forum was dropped from the station shortly thereafter and the station returned to airing an oldies format.[18][7][19]
In 1974, the station's call sign was changed to WBMX, standing for "Black Music EXperience", and the station adopted anurban contemporary format.[2][20][21] The station continued airing an urban contemporary format into the late 1980s.[22][21]
During this era the station helped give rise to a new generation of DJs whose formats brought dance music to Chicago's airwaves. TheHot Mix 5 went on to help define what became known as Chicago House music.
In 1988, the station was sold to Sky Broadcasting for $27 million.[23][24][25][26] Sky Broadcasting was taken over by Broadcasting Partners later that year.[27]
At 5 p.m. on October 18, 1988, the station shifted to anurban adult contemporary format and the station was brandedV103, with its call sign changing to WVAZ.[28][29][30][3]
Broadcasting Partners was acquired by Evergreen Media in 1995, which in turn merged with Chancellor Broadcasting in 1997.[31][32] Chancellor restructured as AMFM, Inc. in 1999, and in 2000 merged withClear Channel Communications.[33][34]
In March 2009, WVAZ replaced theTom Joyner Morning Show withThe Steve Harvey Morning Show, which moved from 107.5WGCI-FM.[35] WVAZ had been the largest affiliate by market size to carry theTom Joyner Morning Show.[35]