WGN (AM)

WGN

Chicago, Illinois United States
Broadcast area	Chicago metropolitan area
Frequency	720 kHz
Branding	720 WGN
Programming
Format	News/talk
Affiliations	Chicago Blackhawks Radio Network NewsNation
Ownership
Owner	Nexstar Media Group (Tribune Media Company)
Sister stations	WGN-TV
History
First air date	May 19, 1922 (102 years ago) (1922-05-19)[1]
Former call signs	WDAP (1922–1924) WGN (1924–1928) WGN-WLIB (1928–1933)
Call sign meaning	"World's Greatest Newspaper" (Chicago Tribune slogan)
Technical information[2]
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	72114
Class	A
Power	50,000 watts
Transmitter coordinates	42°0′42″N 88°2′7″W / 42.01167°N 88.03528°W / 42.01167; -88.03528 (main antenna) 42°0′34″N 88°1′59″W / 42.00944°N 88.03306°W / 42.00944; -88.03306 (auxiliary antenna)
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	WGN 720 live WGN Extra Channel 1 WGN Extra Channel 2
Website	wgnradio.com

WGN (720 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station in Chicago, Illinois, featuring a talk radio format. WGN's studios are in the Chicago Loop, while the transmitter is in Elk Grove Village. WGN also features broadcasts of Chicago Blackhawks hockey and Northwestern University football and basketball.

WGN is the only radio station owned by Nexstar Media Group, which primarily owns television stations. From 1924 to 2014, WGN was owned by Tribune Media, which also owned the Chicago Tribune, whose "World's Greatest Newspaper" slogan served as the basis for the WGN call sign.

WGN is a clear channel, Class A station, broadcasting with the maximum power of 50,000 watts, and using a non-directional antenna. During daytime hours, near-perfect ground conductivity gives WGN at least secondary coverage to almost two-thirds of Illinois (as far south as Springfield) as well as large slices of Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Iowa. During nighttime skywave hours, with a good radio, it is audible over most of the Eastern and Central United States and Central Canada. The station also streams its programming on its website and supplies podcasts as well. WGN is responsible for the activation of the Chicago metropolitan area Emergency Alert System when hazardous weather alerts, disaster area declarations, and child abductions are issued.