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WRME-LD

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WRME-LD
ATSC 3.0station
Channels
Programming
Affiliations6.1:Jewelry Television
Ownership
Owner
  • Venture Technologies Group
  • (WLFM,LLC)
OperatorWeigel Broadcasting
WTVK,WCHU-LD,WCIU-TV,WWME-CD,WMEU-CD
History
First air date
May 16, 2003(21 years ago)(2003-05-16)
Former call signs
  • W55DF (2003–2006)
  • WLFM-LP (2006–2012)
  • WKQX-LP (2012–2014; 2014)
  • WIQI-LP (2014)
  • WGWG-LP (2014–2015)
  • WRME-LP (2015–2021)
Former channel number(s)
  • Analog:55 (UHF,2003–2007); 6 (VHF, 2007–2021)
Call signmeaning
RadioMeTV
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID128239
ClassLD
ERP3kW
HAAT385.1 m (1,263 ft)
Transmitter coordinates41°53′56.1″N87°37′23.2″W/ 41.898917°N 87.623111°W/41.898917; -87.623111
Links
Public license information
Radio station information
Broadcast areaChicago metro area
Frequency87.7MHz
Branding87.7 MeTVFM
Programming
Format
Technical information
ClassA
Repeater(s)99.1-2WMYX-HD2(Milwaukee)
Links
WebcastListen live(viaAudacy)
Websitemetv.fm

WRME-LD(channel 33) is alow-power television stationinChicago, Illinois,United States, affiliated withJewelry Television.The station's audio channel, transmitting at 87.75MHz(orVHFchannel 6), lies within theFM band;as a result, WRME-LD's audio channeloperates as a radio stationat 87.7FM.Owned by Venture Technologies Group and operated under alocal marketing agreement(LMA) byWeigel Broadcasting,the station airs asoft adult contemporary/oldiesformat via the 87.75 MHz audio channel under the brand87.7 MeTV FM,abrand extensionof Weigel'sMeTVtelevision network. The WRME-LD studios are co-located with Weigel's headquarters in Chicago'sGreektownneighborhood, while thetransmitterresides atop theJohn Hancock Center.

Because of the station's low-power status, WRME-LD is not subject to the FCC'seducational and informational programmingrequirements, allowing a full 24/7 format without interruption for other programming. In November 2019, the station (as WRME-LP) began airing news and weather updates fromWBBM-TV(channel 2) during the morning and afternoondrive times.[2]

After the 2009 digital television transition for full-power stations, WRME-LP became one of several such "Franken-FM"stations that were actually analog TV stations on channel 6; the video signal aired unrelated material to the audio, including a loop of weather and traffic information. When low-power stations were required to transition to digital, Venture Technologies Group obtained special temporary authority to convert the station toATSC 3.0Next Gen TV and also maintain an analog audio signal on 87.7 FM. The ATSC 3.0 channel occupies the lower 5.509 MHz of the 6 MHz channel.

Officially, the secondHD Radiochannel ofAudacy-ownedWMYX-FMinMilwaukee,Wisconsinis a repeater of WRME-LD's audio signal, and both stations identify together as "WRME-LD, Chicago and WMYX-FM-HD2, Milwaukee". The WMYX-HD2 signal also carried by theAudacy app,which is available throughout the United States and on its website.

History[edit]

Move to Channel 6[edit]

When the station firstsigned onthe air in 2003, it broadcast on Channel 55 using thecall signW55DF. It later moved to Channel 6 because ofQualcomm'sMediaFLOservice expanding to the Chicago area. Its programming once consisted ofinfomercials,home shopping services,MTV Tr3s,andAzteca América.It became WLFM-LP in 2006.

On March 9, 2009, Venture announced that it signed letters of intent to lease out their Channel 6 signals on both WLFM-LP andKSFV-CAinLos Angeles'sSan Fernando Valley,which would pave the way for the launching adanceformat on the stations. Programming was to have begun under that format June 1, 2009, and be patterned after Mega Media'sNew York CityoutletWNYZ-LPand be branded asPulse 87.

In the interim, on April 1, 2009, Channel 6 switched to analternative countrymusic format as "The L." One month later, Venture announced it would not pursue the deal with Mega Media.[3]Channel 6 continued with the alt-country format until a format change in Chicago opened a new opportunity.

Smooth Jazz[edit]

On May 22, 2009,WNUA(95.5 FM) dropped itssmooth jazzsound for Spanishcontemporary music.That afternoon, Channel 6 immediately picked up the abandoned format, becoming anaffiliateof the Broadcast Architecture Smooth Jazz Network, and adopting the name "87.7 Chicago's Smooth Jazz." Channel 6 originally broadcast still photographs of Chicago and Jazz musicians on its video signal, since all television licensees are still required to transmit video while on air. In the summer of 2011, Channel 6 began airing traffic maps and a weather scroll on its video signal.

Initially, WLFM's smooth jazz format consisted of round-the-clock programming from the Broadcast Architecture Smooth Jazz Network. But later on the station added two local weekday hosts, both veterans WNUADJs:midday host Rick O'Dell (also the station's program director) and evening personality Loni Taylor. In addition, channel 6 featured syndicated shows fromKenny G,Mindi Abair,Dave RamseyandDave Kozalong with local specialty shows, such as Paul Wertico'sWild World of JazzSunday nights at 9 p.m.,The Sounds of Brazil with Scott Adamsheard Saturdays at midnight,The Smooth Jazz Top 20 Countdownwith Allen Kepler,Dinner Partywith Bill Cochran, andSunrise SoundscapesandThe Smooth Jazz Sunday Brunchwith Rick O'Dell. Channel 6 General Manager Pat Kelley had also worked at WNUA.

In July 2009, Channel 6 began simulcasting on a subchannel of WCHU-LD (33.2, mapped tovirtual channel61.2). In June 2011, Channel 6 became available onComcastdigital cable as Channel 877.[4]

In October 2010, WLFM tweaked its format to "Smooth Adult Contemporary" (again using a Broadcast Architecture source). The format was a mix of mainstream and rhythmicadult contemporarytracks with a few smooth jazz instrumentals per hour.

All-News and Alternative Rock[edit]

On April 24, 2012, Merlin Media, LLC, entered into alocal marketing agreement(LMA) with Venture Technologies Group to take over the programming and ad sales for WLFM-LP as of April 30, 2012. Merlin Media was headed by noted radio executiveRandy Michaels.Venture Technologies retained the station's license and ownership. Later on the 24th, Smooth 87.7's Rick O'Dell revealed on the station's website that smooth jazz would be replaced on April 30, 2012. Venture Technologies management termed the LMA with Merlin as a "business decision" based in part on the future status of low-power analog TV stations, whose signals must be turned off or transitioned todigitalby September 2015.[5][6]"Smooth 87.7" ended before midnight on April 29, 2012, withDavid Sanborn's "Chicago Song" the last song played. Afterwards, the station changed over to a simulcast of Merlin'sall-newsstation,WIQI(101.1 FM).[7](Twice-hourly news updates from WIQI were added to WLFM on April 24, Merlin's first noticeable change to the station.)[8]Acall signchange from WLFM-LP to WKQX-LP took effect on May 1, 2012.[9]

The smooth jazz format continued on theHD3subchannel of Merlin'sWLUP-FM(97.9-HD3), which launched on May 3, 2012.[10]Additionally, WLFM-LP alum Rick O'Dell launched an online radio station, SmoothJazzChicago.net, on November 12, 2012.[11][12]The channel was added to the HD2 subchannel ofWTMX(101.9-HD2) in January 2014.[13]

On May 6, 2012, WKQX "Q87.7" ( "Underground. Alternative." ) was launched, with "Satellite" by Chicago bandRise Againstas the first song played. The station, perhaps inspired by its low-FM dial position and its uncertain future ( "Already there are some people maneuvering to shut us down" ), cultivated a hard-edged "outlaw mystique." It targeted a younger audience that may normally listen to music through online sources. A message on the station's website at its launch noted that "older radios won't pick us up... so if someone has a radio that doesn't get 87.7FM, then they just don't get it!"[14]

LMA with Cumulus Media[edit]

On January 3, 2014, Merlin Media announced a local marketing agreement withCumulus Mediathat would have Cumulus take over operations of Merlin-owned 101.1 WIQI and 97.9WLUP-FM.The deal also created an expansion of Cumulus' Chicago operations. The company already owns and operatestalkstationWLS (890 AM)andclassic hitsstationWLS-FM (94.7).[15][16]

In announcing the deal, Cumulus indicated that it would move thealternative rockformat from WKQX-LP to WIQI. The move took place on January 10, 2014, with both 87.7 and 101.1 simulcasting for approximately 30–45 days. Once the simulcast ended, alt-rock remained on 101.1 which re-adopted the WKQX call sign on January 16, 2014.[17]Cumulus' long-term plans for WKQX-LP were initially unclear.

Sports Talk[edit]

Cumulus wrapped up its LMA with WKQX-LP on February 17, 2014.Tribune Broadcastingannounced that it would enter into a local marketing agreement for WKQX-LP as an "FM expansion" for its primary station,WGN(720 AM).[18][19]Venture applied to change the call sign of WKQX-LP to WGWG-LP.

On February 17, 2014, theChicago Tribunereported that WKQX-LP would flip to a WGN-producedsports talkformat known as "The Game."Jonathon Brandmeierhosted its morning show, while WGN'sDavid Kaplanmoved to late-mornings on "The Game."Howard Griffithand Alex Quigley hosted an early afternoon show, with formerWMVPpersonalities Harry Teinowitz and Spike Manton in afternoondrive time,and Mark Carman hosting an evening show. The remaining dayparts featuredNBC Sports Radioprogramming. The Game also served as the alternate station for theChicago Blackhawksduring conflicts with WGN's coverage ofChicago Cubsgames, ending the previous agreement withWIND(AM 560).

The arrangement was initially slated to last through September 2015, the FCC's original deadline for converting low-power television stations to digital broadcasting. But in October 2014, the FCC voted to tentatively delay the low-power digital transition.[20][21]

Until sometime in 2014, the FCC database reflected the station'scity of licenseasRochelle, Illinois,a community inOgle Countylocated south ofRockford.With the new Tribune LMA, the city of license became Chicago. The station's primary signal does not get far beyond Chicago's western suburbs. The station's signal range remains under restriction due to other Channel 6 stations nearby,WITIinMilwaukeeandKWQC-TVinDavenport, Iowa,which had their analog broadcasts on Channel 6 and continue to use that designation for their digital virtual channels.

On November 20, 2014,Robert Federreported that Tribune would discontinueThe Gameon December 31, 2014; Jonathon Brandmeier's program, which was simulcast from Tribune'sInternet radiostation WGN.fm, was also immediately dropped.[22][23]The decision came in response to its low advertising revenue, along with poor ratings. On December 31, 2014, WGWG-LP was changed to an FM simulcast of WGN's talk programming until the end of Tribune's LMA with Venture Technologies Group.[24]

LMA with Weigel Broadcasting[edit]

On December 30, 2014,Weigel Broadcasting,which ownsWCIU-TVand several other low-power TV stations in Chicago, said it would take over WGWG-LP in February 2015. The station marked Weigel's first venture into the radio industry.[25]Weigel assumed control on February 23, 2015, playing a softoldiesformat branded as "MeTV FM." It would serve as abrand extensionof itsMeTVclassic television network, seen locally on another low-power station,WWME-CD.The call letters were changed to WRME-LP.[9][26]

MeTV FM features a broadplaylistof approximately 3,500 songs, mostly from 1960 to 1989, in the soft to mid-tempo range. "Light My Fire"byThe Doorswas noted in 2018 as the hardest rock song on the station's playlist, its inclusion having been extensively debated among station staff.[27]In recent years, the range of records played on WRME has expanded to include those by performers usually considered to be "Album-Oriented Rock"artists.

By May 2017, despite the obstacles posed by its frequency and limited signal, WRME was tied in theNielsen ratingswith its full-power competitorsWJMKandWLS-FMat an audience share of 2.7, putting it 14th in the market. Weigel decided to syndicate the branding and format through a partnership with Envision Networks.[28]By February 2018, WRME had risen to 6th in the market and second in middays.[29]

To maintain the visual requirements of maintaining television service, WRME-LP's video signal displayed a screen layout reminiscent of that used bycable radioserviceMusic Choicemixed withThe Weather Channel's automatedWeatherscanservice. On the top of the screen, the current artist/song title is displayed, with the station logo to the right, while below it, a consistently panning map of theChicago metropolitan areadisplays the latestexpressway travel timesand weather radar conditions for several parts of the region. Finally, along the right side of the screen, a visualstation identificationwith the station's calls is in the bottom right corner, along with a display ad forXfinityand the hour's current featured advertiser.

On July 13, 2021, as a result of the final transition deadline for low-power television stations, WRME-LP converted from analog directly toATSC 3.0,becoming the first Next Gen TV station in Chicago. Its call sign switched to WRME-LD on July 15 to reflect this change, and took the virtual channel of 33. The lone channel broadcast on the television service isJewelry Television,mapped to virtual channel 33.1. MeTV FM audio programming continued to be available in analog on 87.7 FM due to a Special Temporary Authority grant from theFederal Communications Commission(FCC). On July 20, 2023, an FCC "Report and Order" included this station as one of 13"FM6" stationsallowed to continue to operate an FM radio broadcast, as a "ancillary or supplementary" service.[30]

Subchannel[edit]

Subchannels of WRME-LD
Channel Video Aspect Short name Programming
6.1 720p 16:9 JTVHD Jewelry TV

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Facility Technical Data for WRME-LD".Licensing and Management System.Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^"News Bites: Charlamagne Tha God, Delilah, Elvis Duran, CBS News Radio".Insideradio.com.Retrieved2020-07-14.
  3. ^"New York Pulse87 Gains Listeners, While Lease Intent Letters Expire for Stations in Chicago, L.A."RadioWorld.May 1, 2009.RetrievedApril 29,2012.
  4. ^Larz (July 5, 2011)."WLFM/Smooth 87.7 Simulcasting On Comcast/Xfinity Cable Systems".Chicagoland Radio and Media.RetrievedJuly 9,2011.
  5. ^Feder, Robert (April 24, 2012)."Randy rocks Chicago again: Merlin conjures up new alternative".TimeOut Chicago.RetrievedApril 29,2012.
  6. ^"DTV Transition and LPTV - Class A - Translator Stations,from the Federal Communications Commission website
  7. ^"Ridgewood High School Station WRWX-FM Flips to Smooth Jazz,"from Chicagoland Radio & Media, 4/30/2012
  8. ^Larz (April 24, 2012)."Merlin Media Takes Over WLFM-LP; Smooth & News Together".Chicagoland Radio & Media.RetrievedApril 29,2012.
  9. ^ab"Call Sign History".
  10. ^"Smooth Jazz, Alternative Returns to Chicago Air".Radio Online.May 3, 2012.RetrievedMay 6,2012.
  11. ^Feder, Robert (November 12, 2012)."Cue the sax: Rick O'Dell launches SmoothJazzChicago.net".Time Out Chicago.RetrievedDecember 6,2012.
  12. ^"Rick O'Dell Streams Jazz Back To Chicago".All Access Music Group.November 13, 2012.RetrievedDecember 6,2012.
  13. ^Feder, Robert (January 7, 2014)."Rick O'Dell Streams Jazz Back To Chicago".RobertFeder.com.RetrievedJanuary 7,2014.
  14. ^"Merlin Media Returns Modern Rock To Chicago On Q87.7".FMQB.May 7, 2012.RetrievedMay 17,2013.
  15. ^Marek, Lynne (January 4, 2014)."Deal for 'the Loop' gives radio powerhouse bigger reach in Chicago".Crain's Chicago Business.RetrievedFebruary 17,2014.
  16. ^"Cumulus Purchasing All Merlin Media Properties; Alternative Coming Back To 101.1".Chicagoland Radio & Media.January 3, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 17,2014.
  17. ^Venta, Lance (January 10, 2014)."Alternative Returns To 101.1 Chicago".RadioInsight.RetrievedFebruary 17,2014.
  18. ^Feder, Robert (February 14, 2014)."WGN takes over 87.7 FM on Monday".RobertFeder.com.RetrievedFebruary 14,2014.
  19. ^Channick, Robert (February 14, 2014)."WGN launching new FM station Monday".Chicago Tribune.RetrievedFebruary 14,2014.
  20. ^"FCC Proposes Delaying LPTV DTV Transition".Broadcasting and Cable.13 October 2014.Retrieved14 February2015.
  21. ^Channick, Robert (February 17, 2014)."WGN launching FM sports talk station 'The Game'".Chicago Tribune.RetrievedFebruary 17,2014.
  22. ^Feder, Robert (November 20, 2014)."Tribune Media turning off The Game 87.7 FM; dropping Johnny B., Garry Meier".RobertFeder.com.RetrievedDecember 6,2014.
  23. ^Channick, Robert (December 5, 2014)."The Game is ending, but 87.7 FM will keep going".Chicago Tribune.RetrievedDecember 6,2014.
  24. ^Channick, Robert (December 30, 2014)."WGN-AM to simulcast on 87.7 FM beginning Wednesday".Chicago Tribune.RetrievedDecember 30,2014.
  25. ^Feder, Robert (December 30, 2014)."Weigel Broadcasting to become radio active on 87.7 FM".RobertFeder.com.RetrievedDecember 30,2014.
  26. ^Channick, Robert (February 9, 2015)."MeTV launching radio station at 87.7 FM".Chicago Tribune.RetrievedFebruary 9,2015.
  27. ^Channick, Robert."MeTV FM goes from low-power TV station to top-10 Chicago radio station".Chicago Tribune.Retrieved2018-05-13.
  28. ^Feder, Robert (May 25, 2017)."Boomer-friendly Me-TV FM to roll out in national syndication".RobertFeder.com.RetrievedMay 26,2017.
  29. ^Chicago radio ratings: ‘Me-TV FM’ hits it bigger than everRobertFeder.com, March 19, 2018
  30. ^"Fifth Report and Order: In the Matter of Amendment of Parts 73 and 74 of the Commission's Rules to Establish Rules for Digital Low Power Television and Television Translator Stations"(FCC 23-58, MB Docket No. 03-185, Adopted: July 20, 2023, Released: July 20, 2023)

External links[edit]

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