View source for WCHI-FM

{{short description|Mainstream rock radio station in Chicago}}
{{Infobox radio station
| city                = [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]]
| country             = US
| name                = WCHI-FM
| logo                = WEBG_Rock955Chi.jpg
| logo_size           = 150px
| area                = [[Chicago metropolitan area]]
| frequency           = {{Frequency|95.5|[[Hertz#SI multiples|MHz]]}} {{HD Radio}}
| branding            = Rock 95.5
| language            = [[English language|English]]
| format              = [[Mainstream rock]]
| subchannels         = {{ubl|HD2: Big 95.5 HD2 ([[country music]])}}
| owner               = [[iHeartMedia]]
| licensee            = iHM Licenses, LLC
| sister_stations     = {{hlist|[[WGCI-FM]]|[[WGRB]]|[[WKSC-FM]]|[[WLIT-FM]]|[[WVAZ]]|[[WVON]]}}
| airdate             = {{Start date and age|1959|03|09|p=y|br=yes}}<ref name="BCYearbook1971">''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1971/B-1-Radio-YB-1971.pdf 1971 Broadcasting Yearbook]'', [[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]], 1971. p. B-60. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref>
| former_callsigns    = {{ubl|WDHF (1959–1976)<ref name="HistoryCards"/>|WMET (1976<ref name="HistoryCards"/>–1986)|WRXR (1986–1987)|WNUA (1987–2015)|WEBG (2015–2020)}}
| callsign_meaning    = Chicago
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| facility_id         = 53971
| class               = B
| erp                 = {{ubl|{{val|5300|u=[[watt]]s|fmt=commas}} (analog)|{{val|212|u=watts|fmt=commas}} (digital)}}
| haat                = {{convert|425|m|ft|sp=us}}
| coordinates         = {{coord|41.899|N|87.623|W|type:landmark_region:US-IL_source:FCC|display=inline,title}}
| webcast             = {{ubl|{{iHeartRadio|rock-955-857}}|{{listenlive|https://www.iheart.com/live/big-955-8731}} (HD2)}}
| website             = {{ubl|{{url|https://rock955chi.iheart.com/}}|{{url|https://big955chicago.iheart.com/}} (HD2)}}
}}
'''WCHI-FM''' (95.5&nbsp;[[Hertz|MHz]]) is a [[mainstream rock]] formatted [[radio station]] located in [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]], owned and operated by [[iHeartMedia]]. WCHI-FM has studios located at the [[Illinois Center]] complex on [[Michigan Avenue (Chicago)|Michigan Avenue]] in [[Downtown Chicago]], and it broadcasts from a 5.3 [[kilowatt|kW]] transmitter based atop [[John Hancock Center]].
WCHI-FM broadcasts three channels in the [[HD Radio]] format.<ref>http://hdradio.com/station_guides/widget.php?id=4 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916101138/http://hdradio.com/station_guides/widget.php?id=4 |date=2016-09-16 }} HD Radio Guide for Chicago</ref>
==History==
The station began broadcasting on March 9, [[1959 in radio|1959]] as WDHF, owned by [[High fidelity|Hi-Fi systems]] and record store owner James deHaan.<ref name="BCYearbook1971"/><ref name="Ghrist">Ghrist, John R. (1996). ''Valley Voices: A Radio History''. Crossroads Communications. p. 284-285.</ref> Its call sign stood for deHaan Hi-Fi.<ref name="Ghrist"/> The station operated out of deHaan's store in the [[Evergreen Plaza]] in [[Evergreen Park, Illinois]].<ref name="Ghrist"/><ref name="HistoryCards">[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=82065 History Cards for WCHI-FM], fcc.gov. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref> Its transmitter and tower was in [[Oak Lawn, Illinois|Oak Lawn]], at 97th and Central.<ref name="HistoryCards"/> WDHF's studios and deHaan's record store moved to 102nd and Western Avenue in Chicago, in 1961.<ref name="HistoryCards"/>
In 1964, WDHF was sold to Federal Broadcasting Corporation for $200,000.<ref name="HistoryCards"/><ref name="BC121663">"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1963/1963-12-16-BC.pdf Changing hands]", ''[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]''. December 16, 1963. p. 70. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref> Controlling interest in Federal Broadcasting was owned by comedian [[Bob Newhart]].<ref name="BC121663"/> Its studios were moved to [[Chicago Loop|the Loop]], at 108 N. State St.<ref name="HistoryCards"/> In 1966, WDHF was sold to the National Science Network for $427,000.<ref name="BC41866">"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1966/1966-04-18-BC.pdf Changing hands]", ''[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]''. April 18, 1966. p. 48. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref> In 1971, the station's transmitter was moved to the [[John Hancock Center]] on the [[Near North Side, Chicago|Near North Side]] of Chicago.<ref name="HistoryCards"/> Under deHaan's, Newhart's and the National Science Network's ownership, WDHF aired an [[easy listening]]/[[big band]] format.<ref name="Ghrist"/><ref>"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1965/Billboard%201965-10-16.pdf Stations By Format]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. October 16, 1965. p. 62. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref><ref>"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1966/Billboard%201966-11-19.pdf Stations By Format]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. November 19, 1966. p. 38. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref><ref>Duston, Anne. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=3ycEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA22 WCLR-FM Clarions 'Clear Sound' MOR as Others Probe Rock Chance]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. April 14, 1973. p. 22. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref>
In 1973, the station was sold to [[Metromedia]] for $2.75 million and it adopted an [[adult contemporary]] format.<ref>"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1973/1973-03-19-BC.pdf An even dozen for Metromedia]", ''[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]''. March 19, 1973. p. 53. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref><ref>Hannigan, Ingrid. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=AgkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32 Roberts Revamps WDHF-FM: Using Mature 'Top 100' Pitch]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. October 6, 1973. p. 32. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref> The following year, WDHF adopted a [[top 40]] format. During this era, WDHF was the local broadcaster of the weekly syndicated program [[American Top 40]].<ref>"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1975/Billboard%201975-05-03.pdf American Top 40 Is Moving Alot of Burgers in Waterloo]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. May 3, 1975. p. 23. Retrieved February 25, 2019.</ref> Jim Channell, known on the air as "Captain Whammo", was a DJ on the station during its top 40 years.<ref>"[https://www.sntradio.com/jim-channell/ Classic Christian Gold, Saturdays at Noon EST on SnT Radio.com]", SnT Radio.com. Retrieved February 25, 2019.</ref><ref>"[http://www.chicagoradioandmedia.com/multimedia/audio/2478-wdhf-fms-captain-whammo-jingle-springsummer-1976 WDHF-FM's Captain Whammo Jingle - Spring/Summer 1976]", ''Chicagoland Radio and Media''. May 7, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2019.</ref><ref>[[Eric Zorn|Zorn, Eric]]. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-03-04-8501120776-story.html Deejay's Fate Was Etched in Concrete]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. March 4, 1985. Retrieved February 25, 2019.</ref>
On December 1, 1976, the station's call letters were changed to WMET, while retaining its top 40 format.<ref name="HistoryCards"/><ref>"[http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/multimedia/audio/7020-wdhf-changes-to-wmet-12-01-76 WDHF Changes To WMET - 12/01/76]", ''Chicagoland Radio and Media''. December 1, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2019.</ref> In 1979, Metromedia flipped WMET to an [[Album oriented rock|AOR]] format.<ref>"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1979/Billboard%201979-04-21.pdf Top 40 Fading at WMET-FM]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. April 21, 1979. p. 18. Retrieved February 25, 2019.</ref> In 1982, WMET was sold to [[Doubleday Broadcasting]] for $9.5 million.<ref>"[https://books.google.com/books?id=aSQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT2 Doubleday Buys WMET Chicago for 9.5 Million]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. September 4, 1982. p. 3. Retrieved February 25, 2019.</ref>
On January 11, 1985, at 3 p.m., WMET switched to an adult contemporary format.<ref name="Zorn11485">[[Eric Zorn|Zorn, Eric]]. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-01-14-8501030647-story.html WMET's Advertising Prank More Than Enough]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. January 14, 1985. Retrieved February 25, 2019.</ref> As a promotional stunt, in the days leading up to the format change the station periodically interrupted the rock programming with static and a man's voice stating "enough is enough".<ref name="Zorn11485"/> Ratings were poor under the new format, and the station was sold to Flint Chicago Associates for $12.5 million in early 1986.<ref>[[Eric Zorn|Zorn, Eric]]. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-09-19-8503030760-story.html Soft Rock Format a Losing Proposition, So WMET Owner Decides To]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. September 19, 1985. Retrieved February 25, 2019.</ref><ref>"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-04-28.pdf On April 14, 1986 Flint Chicago Associates, Inc. Finalized their $12,500,000 acquisition of WMET-FM Chicago, Illinois from Doubleday Broadcasting, Inc.]", ''[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]''. April 28, 1986. p. 95. Retrieved February 25, 2019.</ref>
In May 1986, the station's call sign was changed to WRXR, and it adopted an early version of what would later become the [[adult hits]] format (described as "Male Adult Contemporary" by station management), with a playlist featuring artists like [[The Beach Boys]], [[The Doobie Brothers]], [[ZZ Top]] and [[Sade (singer)|Sade]].<ref>"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1980s/1986/RR-1986-05-02.pdf WMET Now 'Male AC' WRXR]", ''[[Radio & Records]]''. May 2, 1986. p. 3. Retrieved February 25, 2019.</ref> In 1987, WRXR was sold to Pyramid Broadcasting for $15 million.<ref>"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-03-02.pdf Changing Hands]", ''[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]''. March 2, 1987. p. 72. Retrieved February 25, 2019.</ref>
===Smooth jazz era===
[[File:WNUA logo early 2000s.jpg|thumb|235px|WNUA's logo as a smooth jazz station]]
On August 3, 1987, the station's call letters were changed to WNUA and the station adopted a format which featured [[new-age music]] and [[smooth jazz]], along with music from [[R&B]] and [[rock music|rock]] artists that were compatible with the station's sound.<ref>"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1980s/1987/R&R-1987-07-24-I.pdf Chicago Enters New Age With WNUA]", ''[[Radio & Records]]''. July 24, 1987. p. 1. Retrieved February 26, 2019.</ref><ref name="Alexander">Alexander, Katina. "[https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/tune-in-turn-down-cool-out-third-grade-romance-going-to-california/Content?oid=871078 Tune In, Turn Down, Cool Out; Third-Grade Romance; Going to California]", ''[[Chicago Reader]]''. September 03, 1987. Retrieved February 26, 2019.</ref><ref name="Freeman8187">Freeman, Kim. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-08-01.pdf Vox Jox]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. August 1, 1987. p. 15. Retrieved February 26, 2019.</ref><ref name="Freeman91987">Freeman, Kim. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-09-19.pdf Vox Jox]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. September 19, 1987. p. 15. Retrieved February 26, 2019.</ref><ref>[[Robert Feder|Feder, Robert]]. "[https://www.timeout.com/chicago/tv/punching-up-the-news-gilmer-joins-wbez-bloggers Punching Up the News: Gilmer joins WBEZ bloggers]", ''[[Time Out Chicago]]''. August 1, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2019.</ref> WNUA's original slogan was "Music For a New Age", and New Age was the source of the station's call letters.<ref name="RadioWaves">''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/City-Magazines-Misc/Chicagoland-Radio-Waves-Two-Issues.pdf Chicagoland Radio Waves]'', MediaTies. Summer 1988/Spring-Summer 1989. Retrieved February 26, 2019.</ref><ref name="Alexander"/><ref name="Freeman8187"/> By 1989, the station's slogan was "Smooth Rock, Smooth Jazz".<ref name="RadioWaves"/><ref name="Reich7598">Reich, Howard. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-07-05-9807050387-story.html WNUA's Success With 'Smooth Jazz' Is Based on a Simple Idea]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. July 5, 1998. Retrieved February 26, 2019.</ref> "Smooth Rock" would later be dropped from its slogan.<ref name="Reich7598"/> As a smooth jazz station, WNUA was a major pioneer in the format.<ref name="Rosenthal52209">[[Phil Rosenthal|Rosenthal, Phil]]. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2009-05-22-0905220111-story.html WNUA swings to Spanish format]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. May 22, 2009. Retrieved February 25, 2019.</ref><ref>Archer, Carol. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2007/RR-2007-08-17.pdf Three Signals, 20 Amazing Years; The Honorable Histories Behind WNUA/Chicago, KKSF/San Francisco and WNWV Cleveland]", ''[[Radio & Records]]''. August 17, 2007. p. 12-13. Retrieved February 27, 2019.</ref>
In 1995, the station's owner, Pyramid Communications, was acquired by Evergreen Media.<ref>Stark, Phyllis. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=yQsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA114 Evergreen Signs Deal to Purchase Pyramid; Julie Kahn Exits Shamrock's KNEW/KSAN]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. July 29, 1995. p. 114. Retrieved February 26, 2019.</ref> In 1997, Evergreen merged with Chancellor Broadcasting.<ref>Peers, Martin. "[https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/viacom-radio-signs-off-1117436106/ Viacom Radio Signs Off]", ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''. February 18, 1997. Retrieved February 26, 2019.</ref> Chancellor merged with Capstar and restructured as AMFM, Inc. in 1999, and in 2000 merged with [[iHeartMedia|Clear Channel Communications]] making WNUA a Clear Channel station.<ref>"[https://adage.com/article/news/chancellor-amfm/25277/ Chancellor to Become AMFM Inc.]", ''[[AdAge]]''. May 20, 1999. Retrieved February 26, 2019.</ref><ref>"[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-aug-30-fi-12696-story.html Clear Channel-AMFM Merger Gets Approval]", [[Associated Press]]. ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. August 30, 2000. Retrieved February 26, 2019.</ref>
WNUA was the home of the now-defunct [[Ramsey Lewis]] morning show, and it was also where he recorded his syndicated show, ''Legends of Jazz'' (which showcased the music of instrumentalists [[Charlie Parker]], [[Oscar Peterson]] and [[Miles Davis]], as well as vocalists [[Louis Armstrong]], [[Billie Holiday]] and [[Ella Fitzgerald]]) for distribution to other [[smooth jazz]] stations across the nation.<ref>Harrington, Richard. "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2006/05/19/a-jazz-legend-nurtures-his-gospel-roots/12cfee5e-c04c-4eb2-a3d5-0a277ac71985/ A Jazz Legend Nurtures His Gospel Roots]", ''[[Washington Post]]''. May 19, 2006. Retrieved February 26, 2019.</ref><ref>Kirk, Jim. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-10-15-9810150094-story.html Karen Williams Making Smooth Exit From WNUA]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. October 15, 1998. Retrieved February 26, 2019.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wnua.com/onair/program_schedule.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021015001608/http://wnua.com/onair/program_schedule.php|title=Program Schedule|publisher=WNUA|access-date=February 26, 2019|archive-date=October 15, 2002|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The show lived on in Chicago on [[WRME-LD|WLFM-LP]] during that station's run, and later on [[WDCB]].<ref>[[Robert Feder|Feder, Robert]]. "[https://www.robertfeder.com/2014/12/23/wdcb-brings-back-legends-of-jazz-with-ramsey-lewis/ WDCB brings back 'Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis']", RobertFeder.com. December 23, 2014. Retrieved February 26, 2019.</ref><ref>"[https://wdcb.org/program/legends-of-jazz-with-ramsey-lewis Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis]", [[WDCB]]. Retrieved February 26, 2019.</ref> Other on-air staff included Karen Williams, Rick O'Dell, Danae Alexander, [[Dave Koz]], Bill Cochran, Scott Adams, Annie Ashe, Dona Mullen, Glenn Cosby, and Porsche Stevens.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wnua.com/onair/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021015002439/http://wnua.com/onair/|title=On-Air Personalities|publisher=WNUA|access-date=February 27, 2019|archive-date=October 15, 2002|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>"[https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/17755/koz-to-afternoons-alexander-in-nights-on-wnua Koz To Afternoons, Alexander In Nights On WNUA]", ''All Access Music Group''. December 1, 2006. Retrieved February 27, 2019.</ref><ref>"[http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/2804-wnua-smooth-jazz-reunion-party-w-odell-cochran-adams-more WNUA Smooth Jazz Reunion Party w/ O'Dell, Cochran, Adams, More]", ''Chicagoland Radio and Media''. September 26, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2019.</ref><ref>[[Robert Feder|Feder, Robert]]. "[https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-sun-times/20060921/282218006273991 Web streaming keeps 'Real Oldies' spinning]", ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]''. September 21, 2006. Retrieved February 27, 2019.</ref> Rick O'Dell was also program director/music director.<ref>"[https://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/towerticker/2009/01/wnuafms-rick-odell-is-first-of-local-clear-channel-cuts.html WNUA-FM's Rick O'Dell Ousted as Clear Channel Starts Cutting; CEO Confirms Elimination of Around 1,850 Jobs]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. January 20, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2019.</ref><ref>"[http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/features/interviews/6424-crm-interview-rick-o-dell CRM Interview: Rick O'Dell]", ''Chicagoland Radio and Media''. March 24, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2019.</ref>
In late 2006, three [[smooth jazz]] personalities, WNUA's [[Ramsey Lewis]], Annie Ashe, and [[Dave Koz]], were tapped by Broadcast Architecture to syndicate their respective shows on its Smooth Jazz Network.<ref>[[Christopher H. Sterling|Sterling, Christopher H.]]; O'Dell, Cary (2010). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=dmmLAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA385 The Concise Encyclopedia of American Radio]''. [[Routledge]]. p. 385. Retrieved February 27, 2019.</ref><ref>"[https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/15357/wilson-to-host-middays-on-ba-smooth-jazz-network Wilson To Host Middays On BA Smooth Jazz Network]", ''All Access Music Group''. October 6, 2006. Retrieved February 27, 2019.</ref>
WNUA won ''[[Radio & Records]]''{{'}} Smooth Jazz Station of the Year award eight consecutive years, from 1998 to 2005,<ref>Archer, Carol. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2005/RR-2005-07-08.pdf To the Victors Go the Spoils]", ''[[Radio & Records]]''. July 8, 2005. p. 51. Retrieved February 27, 2019.</ref><ref>Hough, Alexander. "[https://chicagoist.com/2009/06/08/welcome_my_beautiful_darling_make.php Chicago Smooth Jazz Ambles On]", ''[[Chicagoist]]''. June 8, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2019.</ref> and was the recipient of the [[Marconi Award]] for [[New adult contemporary|NAC]]/Jazz Station of the Year in 2004.<ref>"[http://www.nab.org/documents/events/awards/marconiAwards/2004Winners.asp 2004 Marconi Radio Award Winners]", [[National Association of Broadcasters]]. Retrieved February 27, 2019.</ref>
===Spanish-language era===
On May 22, 2009, at 9:50&nbsp;a.m., after playing [[Richard Elliot]]'s "Here And Now", WNUA stunted for 5 minutes with a ticking clock and an announcer saying "In _ minutes, 95.5 reaches its big/mega event."<ref name="FCAWNUAMega">"[https://formatchange.com/smooth-jazz-wnua-becomes-mega-95-5/  Smooth Jazz WNUA Becomes Mega 95.5]", Format Change Archive. Retrieved February 28, 2019.</ref> Along with the clock sound, they aired a recap of jingles and moments from its history as WDHF, WMET, WRXR, and WNUA. 95.5 then had a countdown from 10 to 1 switching in the middle from English to Spanish.<ref name="FCAWNUAMega"/> At 9:55&nbsp;a.m., WNUA flipped formats to Spanish [[hot AC]] as ''Mega 95.5''.<ref name="FCAWNUAMega"/><ref>Venta, Lance. "[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/netgnomes/1011/whats-going-on-at-wnua-chicago/ WNUA Chicago Becomes Mega 95.5]", ''Radio Insight''. Retrieved February 28, 2019.</ref><ref name="Rosenthal52209"/> The Smooth Jazz format was picked up a few hours later by television station [[WRME-LD|WLFM-LP]] (Channel 6), whose audio is available on 87.7 FM.<ref>Venta, Lance. "[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/1046/the-l-87-7-wlfm-quickly-fills-chicagos-smooth-jazz-hole/  'The L 87.7' WLFM Quickly Fills Chicago's Smooth Jazz Hole]", ''Radio Insight''. Retrieved February 26, 2019.</ref>
Following lackluster ratings as ''Mega 95.5'', on June 19, 2012, after playing "Creo en Ti" by Mexican rock band [[Reik]], WNUA switched to a [[Regional Mexican]] format known as "El Patrón 95.5" to more directly compete with [[WLEY-FM|WLEY]] and [[WOJO]].<ref>Venta, Lance. "[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/netgnomes/58559/is-something-happening-now-in-chicago/ Mega 95.5 Flips to Regional Mexican]", ''Radio Insight''. Retrieved February 28, 2019.</ref><ref>"[https://formatchange.com/mega-95-5-becomes-el-patron/ Mega 95.5 Becomes El Patrón]", Format Change Archive. Retrieved February 28, 2019.</ref> However, the station's ratings failed to improve; in the December 2014 ratings report for the market, WNUA held a 1.9 share of the market.<ref name="LaunchesBig">Venta, Lance. "[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/91480/iheartmedia-launches-big-95-5-chicago/ iHeartMedia Launches Big 95.5 Chicago]", ''Radio Insight''. January 5, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2019.</ref>
===Big 95.5===
[[File:Big955chicago.png|100px|thumb|"Big 95.5" logo (2015–2020)]]
On January 5, 2015, at 12 p.m., WNUA flipped to [[Country music|country]] as "Big 95.5", giving [[WUSN]] its first local competitor since [[WLS-FM|WKXK]] in 1997.<ref name="LaunchesBig"/><ref>[https://www.robertfeder.com/2015/01/05/new-country-station-debuts-at-95-5-fm/ New country station debuts at 95.5 FM]</ref> The first song on "Big" was ''[[This Is How We Roll]]'' by [[Florida Georgia Line]].<ref name="LaunchesBig"/>
On January 12, 2015, WNUA changed call letters to WEBG to match the "Big" branding. Those call letters were previously used by Orlando, FL sister station WRUM from 2004 to 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.robertfeder.com/2015/01/12/its-out-with-wnua-in-with-webg-at-new-country-big-95-5/|title=It's out with WNUA, in with WEBG at new country Big 95.5|last=Feder|first=Robert|work=RobertFeder.com|date=January 12, 2015|access-date=January 12, 2015}}</ref>
WEBG would serve as the Chicago affiliate of ''[[The Bobby Bones Show]]'', first in evenings on a delay before being moved to mornings in August 2018.<ref>"[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/169834/big-95-5-chicago-moves-bobby-bones-to-mornings/ Big 95.5 Chicago Moves Bobby Bones to Mornings]", ''Radio Insight''. August 6, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2020.</ref>
===Rock 95.5===
While WEBG, unlike many past competitors, was able to put up a fight against WUSN,<ref>[[Robert Feder|Feder, Robert]]. "[https://www.robertfeder.com/2015/04/14/big-95-5-beats-us-99-5-in-country-showdown/ Newcomer Big 95.5 beats US 99.5 in country showdown]", RobertFeder.com. April 14, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2020.</ref> they would still finish behind them, and typically hit a 1 or 2 share in the Nielsen ratings, putting them in the lower echelon of commercial stations in the crowded Chicago market. While the last ratings, released just two days before the format ended, saw a decent upward trend (seeing them tie the July 2020 results with a 2.1 share, up from a 1.7 in June and just .2 points behind WUSN), it was ultimately too little, too late for the "Big" format.<ref>[[Robert Feder|Feder, Robert]]. "[https://www.robertfeder.com/2020/08/03/chicago-radio-ratings-pat-cassidy-keeps-newsradio-top-morning/ Chicago radio ratings: Pat Cassidy keeps Newsradio on top of the morning]", RobertFeder.com. August 3, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.</ref>
On September 3, 2020, at 11 a.m., after playing "[[Happy Trails (song)|Happy Trails]]" by [[Roy Rogers]], WEBG began [[stunting (broadcasting)|stunting]] with music from various genres (the first song being "[[It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)]]" by [[R.E.M.]]), punctuated by liners during the top-of-the-hour [[station identification]] stating "It's going to sound weird here. Keep listening". The country format moved to the HD2 subchannel of the station; the previous smooth jazz format on that subchannel was subsequently moved to a new HD3 subchannel.<ref>"[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/197042/big-95-5-chicago-drops-country-and-begins-stunting/ Big 95.5 Chicago Drops Country and Begins Stunting]", ''Radio Insight''. September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.</ref><ref>"[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/netgnomes/197052/domain-insight-9-3-whats-next-for-95-5-chicago/ Domain Insight 9/3: What's Next for 95.5 Chicago?]", ''Radio Insight''. September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.</ref>
At 5 p.m. that day, after playing "[[The Final Countdown (song)|The Final Countdown]]" by [[Europe (band)|Europe]], WEBG flipped to rock as "Rock 95.5". The first song on "Rock" was "[[Enter Sandman]]" by [[Metallica]]. The format, while playing similar music to what it had during the days of WDHF, WMET, and even WRXR, also features a variety of rock reaching into the 1990s and as far as the late 2000s. The flip positions WEBG between [[Hubbard Broadcasting|Hubbard]]'s [[classic rock]]-formatted [[WDRV]] and [[Cumulus Media|Cumulus]]' [[alternative rock|alternative]]-formatted [[WKQX (FM)|WKQX]], and brings a harder-edged rock station back to the market for the first time since [[WCKL (FM)|WLUP]] was sold and flipped to [[K-Love]] in 2018.<ref>"[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/197042/big-95-5-chicago-drops-country-and-begins-stunting/ Rock 95.5 Chicago Debuts Replacing Big 95.5]", ''Radio Insight''. September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.</ref><ref>[[Robert Feder|Feder, Robert]]. "[https://www.robertfeder.com/2020/09/03/iheartmedia-blows-webgs-country-format-new-rock-95-five/ iHeartMedia blows up WEBG's country format for new 'Rock 95 Five']", RobertFeder.com. August 3, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.</ref> Following the format change, WEBG applied to change its call sign to WCHI-FM; the change took effect on September 14, 2020.<ref name="fcc-callsigns">{{cite web |title=Call Sign History (WCHI-FM) |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=53971&Callsign=WCHI-FM |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |access-date=September 14, 2020}}</ref>
On September 14, 2020, iHeartMedia announced that Angie Taylor from sister station [[WKSC-FM]] would host mornings on WCHI, alongside Abe Kanan.<ref>"[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/197655/angi-taylor-to-host-mornings-on-rock-95-5-chicago/ Angi Taylor To Host Mornings On Rock 95.5 Chicago]", ''RadioInsight''. Retrieved December 12, 2020.</ref>
==HD Radio==
When WNUA signed on HD Radio operations in 2006, the station's HD2 sub-channel aired a traditional jazz format. After the analog/HD1 flipped to "Mega" in 2009, the smooth jazz format was moved to the HD2 sub-channel. From 2012 to 2016, WNUA-HD2 carried [[ESPN Deportes Radio]] programming, which was translated by [[Hillside, Illinois|Hillside]]-licensed W248BB at 97.5 FM, a station owned by the [[Educational Media Foundation]], a frequent collaborator on iHeartMedia's translator operations.<ref>"[http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/2233-espn-deportes-to-also-debut-tomorrow-on-975-fm ESPN Deportes To Also Debut Tomorrow On 97.5 FM]", ''Chicagoland Radio and Media''. January 31, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2019.</ref><ref>"[https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/101768/clear-channel-to-launch-97-5-espn-deportes-chicago Clear Channel To Launch 97.5 ESPN Deportes/Chicago On Wednesday]", ''All Access Music Group''. January 31, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2019.</ref><ref>Villafañe, Veronica. "[https://www.mediamoves.com/2015/11/iheart-chicagos-97-5-fm-drops-espn-deportes.html iHeart Chicago's 97.5 FM drops ESPN Deportes]", ''Media Moves''. November 24, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2018.</ref>
Smooth jazz returned to 95.5's HD2 sub-channel in December 2018. After the flip of WEBG to rock on September 3, 2020, the analog/HD1's previous country format moved to 95.5-HD2.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*{{official website|https://rock955chi.iheart.com/}}
*{{FM station data|53971|WCHI}}
{{Chicago Radio}}
{{iHeartMedia}}
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1959]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Chicago|CHI-FM]]
[[Category:1959 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:IHeartMedia radio stations]]
[[Category:Mainstream rock radio stations in the United States]]