WPPN
Encyclopedia
WPPN is an FM radio station
licensed to Des Plaines
, Illinois
that targets the Chicago metropolitan area. WPPN broadcasts on 106.7 MHz with a Spanish
AC format.
Due to WPPN's 50,000 watt transmitter and Northern Suburb location, it can be heard through much of the Rockford and Southern Wisconsin area.
format. By the mid-1980s, the station took on the syndicated Z-Rock format and the call letters WZRC. In 1987, the station took on a smooth jazz format as WTWV, "The Wave", until it was sold to Salem Media, an ancestor of today's Salem Communications
, in 1989.
Upon acquiring the station, Salem flipped the station to a Christian Contemporary Music format, using the WYLL
call letters. However, the format was short lived, as Salem began selling half of the day to Christian ministries
in 1990. By 1991, music was heard only in afternoons, and in 1992 the remaining music was eliminated entirely, other than a short block on Saturday afternoons.
In 1993, local Christian talk shows was added during middays and afternoons. By this point, the format had entirely become what the radio industry would consider "Christian Talk and Teaching". They also ran 3-4 hour blocks of satellite Contemporary Christian music overnights.
The religious talk format continued on WYLL until 2000. In 2000, Salem acquired WXRT-AM 1160, a powerful signal formerly known as WJJD, which had been used by former owner Infinity to simulcast 93.1 WXRT
following the move of WSCR
to 670 AM. Salem moved the Christian talk programming of WYLL to WXRT-AM, which soon received the WYLL call letters, which remain to this day.
With the move of WYLL to 1160, the 106.7 frequency became a clean slate for a new format. Salem utilized the frequency to bring Christian Contemporary Music back to Chicago. The new station was known as WZFS, "106.7 The Fish", and launched with "40 Days and 40 Nights" of commercial free music. "The Fish" branding, which Salem used for new Christian Contemporary stations, was also used in such markets as Atlanta, on WFSH-FM
104.7, and Los Angeles
, on 95.9 KFSH-FM
.
However, "The Fish" was never a huge success in Chicago. There are many possible reasons for the failure of WZFS, which could include the presence of numerous non-commercial CCM stations, including K-Love affiliate 94.3 WJKL, the weakness of the 106.7 signal in Chicago
's southern suburbs, and the fact that the majority of Chicago area Christians
are Catholic
, not Protestant, the denomination toward which "The Fish" stations are targeted.
By 2004, Salem had set most of its expansion hopes on a network of secular conservative
talk stations. Affiliates in typically liberal markets, such as 1150 WTTT
in Boston
, saw little or no ratings progress, but enabled Salem to charge more for national advertisements.
At the same time, Univision Radio wanted Salem's 106.7 signal in Chicago. Univision offered to trade KOBT 100.7 in Houston
(now KKHT-FM
), KHCK 1480 in Dallas
(now KNIT
), KOSL-FM 94.3 in Sacramento
(now KLMG
), and 560 WIND
in Chicago, in exchange for WZFS and KSFB 100.7 (now KVVZ
) in San Francisco. Salem agreed.
So, at midnight on November 1, 2004, Salem took control of 560 WIND, where the conservative talk format was launched. At the same time, Univision took control of WZFS. After a few minutes of fumbling around on air, a new Spanish
-language Adult Contemporary format debuted on the frequency, as WPPN, "Pasion 106.7".
Pasion took fire in the ratings, and pulled far better ratings initially than WZFS, beating some of Chicago's full-signalled stations. However, by summer 2005, the station was beginning to lose steam in the ratings, although the ratings were still better than those of WZFS.
As the one-year anniversary of WPPN approached, Univision tweaked the music blend of WPPN, but let the name and the personalities of Pasion in place. The station aired a unique blend of Spanish oldies music, although the format mirrors that of an English-language Jack FM
station due to the idea of variety in the music.
On January 28, 2009 at midnight WVIV, its sister station changed its format to Spanish oldies. WPPN then followed suit by changing formats to Spanish CHR.
On July 1, 2011, WPPN changed their format back to Spanish adult contemporary, branded as "Pasion 106.7", while the previous "La Kalle" format moved to WVIV 103.1 FM/WVIX 93.5 FM.
Chris Haris, who did a package for several CCM-formatted stations as a one-time deal, resang the same package for WZFS. WZFS had the package in January 2002, and used it until its format to Spanish AC in 2004.
Cody Merryman is going to fill Chris's shoes in the near future, but will create a brand-new logo for WZFS.
This time, WZFS will have the dial point taken off the frequency sing, and it will be known as "106-7, The Fish." The package will have constant updates from now on as well.
"Mega 95.5" and English Top 40 station WKSC
"103.5 Kiss FM"
. They run Spanish Rock music on their HD-2 station under the name "Planeta Rock - Solamente Rock en Espanol" (Planet Rock - Only Rock in Spanish).
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
licensed to Des Plaines
Des Plaines, Illinois
Des Plaines is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It has adopted the official nickname of "City of Destiny." As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 58,720. It is a suburb of Chicago, and is next to O'Hare International Airport...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
that targets the Chicago metropolitan area. WPPN broadcasts on 106.7 MHz with a Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
AC format.
Due to WPPN's 50,000 watt transmitter and Northern Suburb location, it can be heard through much of the Rockford and Southern Wisconsin area.
History
The Des Plaines-licensed 106.7 signed on as locally owned WYEN in 1971. Initially, the station aired an Adult StandardsAdult standards
Adult standards is a North American radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations.Adult standards is aimed at "mature" adults, meaning mainly those persons over 50 years of age, but it is mostly targeted for senior citizens...
format. By the mid-1980s, the station took on the syndicated Z-Rock format and the call letters WZRC. In 1987, the station took on a smooth jazz format as WTWV, "The Wave", until it was sold to Salem Media, an ancestor of today's Salem Communications
Salem Communications
Salem Communications is a U.S. radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, and magazine and book publisher specializing in evangelical Christian and conservative political talk radio. It owns 99 commercial radio stations, 65 of which are in the top 25 markets. Salem is the fifth largest U.S....
, in 1989.
Upon acquiring the station, Salem flipped the station to a Christian Contemporary Music format, using the WYLL
WYLL
WYLL 1160 is a "Christian Talk & Teaching" radio station located in Chicago and owned by Salem Communications. The station runs features, preaching, and other religious programs. Ministries may also buy time for programming. WYLL additionally produces a couple hours of local call-in shows every...
call letters. However, the format was short lived, as Salem began selling half of the day to Christian ministries
Christian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
in 1990. By 1991, music was heard only in afternoons, and in 1992 the remaining music was eliminated entirely, other than a short block on Saturday afternoons.
In 1993, local Christian talk shows was added during middays and afternoons. By this point, the format had entirely become what the radio industry would consider "Christian Talk and Teaching". They also ran 3-4 hour blocks of satellite Contemporary Christian music overnights.
The religious talk format continued on WYLL until 2000. In 2000, Salem acquired WXRT-AM 1160, a powerful signal formerly known as WJJD, which had been used by former owner Infinity to simulcast 93.1 WXRT
WXRT
WXRT, also known as WXRT 93.1, XRT, and 93-XRT is a AAA radio station in Chicago, Illinois. For many years their slogan has been "Chicago's Finest Rock". WXRT is a primary sponsor of the Chicago nonprofit Rock For Kids.-History:...
following the move of WSCR
WSCR
WSCR is a sports radio station in the Chicago, Illinois radio market. The station is owned by CBS Radio and transmits on 670 kHz on the AM dial. Its transmitter is located just off Army Trail Road in Bloomingdale, which is a western suburb of Chicago. It is known as "The Score," and has been on...
to 670 AM. Salem moved the Christian talk programming of WYLL to WXRT-AM, which soon received the WYLL call letters, which remain to this day.
With the move of WYLL to 1160, the 106.7 frequency became a clean slate for a new format. Salem utilized the frequency to bring Christian Contemporary Music back to Chicago. The new station was known as WZFS, "106.7 The Fish", and launched with "40 Days and 40 Nights" of commercial free music. "The Fish" branding, which Salem used for new Christian Contemporary stations, was also used in such markets as Atlanta, on WFSH-FM
WFSH-FM
Called "104.7 the Fish", WFSH-FM is an FM radio station in Atlanta, Georgia broadcasting at 104.7 MHz. The station format is called "Safe For The Whole Family", a hybrid of Christian pop and clean secular music with a mainstream feel...
104.7, and Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, on 95.9 KFSH-FM
KFSH-FM
KFSH-FM is a radio station in the Los Angeles metropolitan area broadcasting on the FM dial at 95.9 mHz with a contemporary Christian music format full time. It is owned by Salem Communications and is known as "The Fish"...
.
However, "The Fish" was never a huge success in Chicago. There are many possible reasons for the failure of WZFS, which could include the presence of numerous non-commercial CCM stations, including K-Love affiliate 94.3 WJKL, the weakness of the 106.7 signal in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
's southern suburbs, and the fact that the majority of Chicago area Christians
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
are Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
, not Protestant, the denomination toward which "The Fish" stations are targeted.
By 2004, Salem had set most of its expansion hopes on a network of secular conservative
Social conservatism
Social Conservatism is primarily a political, and usually morally influenced, ideology that focuses on the preservation of what are seen as traditional values. Social conservatism is a form of authoritarianism often associated with the position that the federal government should have a greater role...
talk stations. Affiliates in typically liberal markets, such as 1150 WTTT
WTTT
WWDJ is a radio station broadcasting an Spanish Christian format. Licensed to Boston, Massachusetts, it serves the Boston metropolitan area. The station is currently owned by Salem Communications.- History :...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, saw little or no ratings progress, but enabled Salem to charge more for national advertisements.
At the same time, Univision Radio wanted Salem's 106.7 signal in Chicago. Univision offered to trade KOBT 100.7 in Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
(now KKHT-FM
KKHT-FM
KKHT-FM is a Christian talk and teaching radio station in Houston, Texas, licensed to Winnie, Texas, USA. The station is currently owned by Salem Media of Illinois, LLC and features programing from Salem Communications....
), KHCK 1480 in Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
(now KNIT
KNIT (AM)
KNIT is a licensed but silent radio station].-Wonderful K-Box:The station now known as KNIT signed on as KGKO in 1953, playing pop music and jazz. In 1958, KGKO changed calls to KBOX and adopted a Top 40 format to compete with Gordon McLendon's top-rated 1190 KLIF. Future WABC staple Dan Ingram...
), KOSL-FM 94.3 in Sacramento
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
(now KLMG
KLMG
KGRB is a radio station broadcasting a Regional Mexican music format. Licensed to Jackson, California, USA, it serves the Sacramento, California, area. The station is currently owned by Adelante Media Group, LLC.-History:...
), and 560 WIND
WIND (AM)
WIND "AM 560" is a radio station based in Chicago, Illinois, broadcasting its talk radio format on 560 kHz.Its current owner is Salem Media, a company specializing primarily in Christian radio...
in Chicago, in exchange for WZFS and KSFB 100.7 (now KVVZ
KVVZ
KVVZ is a radio station broadcasting a Latin Pop format. Licensed to San Rafael, California, USA, it serves the San Francisco area. The station is currently owned by Univision Radio License Corporation. Between 2001 and 2003 KVVZ was KSFB Contemporary Christian 100.7 The Bridge...
) in San Francisco. Salem agreed.
So, at midnight on November 1, 2004, Salem took control of 560 WIND, where the conservative talk format was launched. At the same time, Univision took control of WZFS. After a few minutes of fumbling around on air, a new Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
-language Adult Contemporary format debuted on the frequency, as WPPN, "Pasion 106.7".
Pasion took fire in the ratings, and pulled far better ratings initially than WZFS, beating some of Chicago's full-signalled stations. However, by summer 2005, the station was beginning to lose steam in the ratings, although the ratings were still better than those of WZFS.
As the one-year anniversary of WPPN approached, Univision tweaked the music blend of WPPN, but let the name and the personalities of Pasion in place. The station aired a unique blend of Spanish oldies music, although the format mirrors that of an English-language Jack FM
Jack FM
JACK FM is the alternative name and on-air brand of 60 radio stations in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia. Jack stations play a mix of 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s hits with some current hot adult contemporary singles. Jack's slogan "playing what we want" can also be...
station due to the idea of variety in the music.
On January 28, 2009 at midnight WVIV, its sister station changed its format to Spanish oldies. WPPN then followed suit by changing formats to Spanish CHR.
On July 1, 2011, WPPN changed their format back to Spanish adult contemporary, branded as "Pasion 106.7", while the previous "La Kalle" format moved to WVIV 103.1 FM/WVIX 93.5 FM.
WZFS jingles
After WZFS launched its CCM format in 1997, they did not have jingles yet. In October 2000, WZFS got GMI's Lite AC package. It only lasted a year and a half before purchasing a package from a well known producer in Nashville.Chris Haris, who did a package for several CCM-formatted stations as a one-time deal, resang the same package for WZFS. WZFS had the package in January 2002, and used it until its format to Spanish AC in 2004.
Cody Merryman is going to fill Chris's shoes in the near future, but will create a brand-new logo for WZFS.
This time, WZFS will have the dial point taken off the frequency sing, and it will be known as "106-7, The Fish." The package will have constant updates from now on as well.
Competitors
WPPN competes with Spanish Pop station WNUAWNUA
WNUA is a Spanish Pop radio station located in Chicago, Illinois, owned and operated by Clear Channel Communications and branded as Mega 95.5.-History:...
"Mega 95.5" and English Top 40 station WKSC
WKSC
WKSC-FM is a Top 40 radio station serving the Chicago area. They are owned by Clear Channel Communications. The station is known as "103-5 KISS FM" or simply "103-5". WKSC's main competition is WBBM-FM "B96".-1950s - 1973:...
"103.5 Kiss FM"
HD Radio
WPPN also transmits in HD RadioHD Radio
HD Radio, which originally stood for "Hybrid Digital", is the trademark for iBiquity's in-band on-channel digital radio technology used by AM and FM radio stations to transmit audio and data via a digital signal in conjunction with their analog signals...
. They run Spanish Rock music on their HD-2 station under the name "Planeta Rock - Solamente Rock en Espanol" (Planet Rock - Only Rock in Spanish).