WNDZ is a brokered programming station, where hosts pay for their time on the air and may advertise their products and services or seek donations.
History
WNDZ began broadcasting on May 13, 1987, as a daytime-only station, running 2,500 watts, and was owned by Universal Broadcasting, with Rick Schwartz as its first General Manager.[1] The business office and studios were located in Lansing, Illinois.[1] They are currently on Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago.[4] The station originally aired a mixture of religious and ethnic programming.[5] In 1992, the station was sold to Douglas Broadcasting, for $2 million.[6][7]
In 1994, the station joined Douglas Broadcasting's new AsiaOne network.[8][9] In 1997, the station's power was increased to 5,000 watts.[10][11] In late May 1998, the station switched from brokered programming to the motivational "Personal Achievement Radio" network, which moved from WYPA 820.[12][13] Later that year, the station was purchased by Z-Spanish Radio.[14][15] In 2000, Z-Spanish Radio was acquired by Entravision Communications.[16]
In 2004, Entravision Communications sold the station to Newsweb Corporation, along with 99.9 FM WRZA, for $24 million.[17][18] In 2007, the station's power was increased to 15,000 watts.[19][20] The format has remained brokered for most of the station's history.
