WDEK

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WDEK 92.5

Broadcast area	DeKalb, Illinois
Branding	NINE FM
Slogan	"We Play Anything!"
Frequency	92.5 WDEK FM (MHz)
Format	Adult hits/AAA
ERP	20,000 Watts
Class	B
Owner	Newsweb Corporation
Website	NINE FM website

WDEK 92.5 FM is a radio station located in DeKalb, Illinois, west of Chicago. They program an adult hits/AAA format, simulcasting with WKIE and WRZA as "Nine FM". WDEK is owned by Newsweb Corporation.

[edit] History

The station 92.5 WDEK was locally owned and operated in DeKalb, Illinois with AM station WLBK since its inception in the 1960s. It could be heard in Rockford, Illinois all the way to the western suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. When they first went on air they had a progressive rock format, attempting to compete with Chicago's WXRT. Later WDEK flipped to Top 40 in the 1990s and became very popular. WDEK competed with Rockford's WZOK.

In 1999 the station's local owners sold WDEK to Big City Radio, which turned the station into part of a trimulcast known as "92.7 Kiss FM", along with 92.7 WKIE in Arlington Heights and 92.7 WKIF in Kankakee. Original plans called for this 20,000 watt station to decrease in power and change frequency to 92.7 to match the other two. The FCC denied this request and the moniker was adjusted to "92 Kiss FM".

On January 12, 2001, Clear Channel flipped it's full-signal WUBT from rhythmic oldies to CHR as WKSC "Kiss 103.5". At that time, they issued a cease and desist order to Big City Radio insisting they stop using the "Kiss FM" moniker. "92 KISS-FM" continued until January 26, 2001 when the three signals flipped to Dance Hits format "Energy 92-7&5". The airstaff and voiceover talent Sean Caldwell reamined intact. While not being the first station to play all dance music, it was the first station to play all Dance Hits.

Energy gained lots of attention via the internet and gained a relatively devoted following in the Chicago area and worldwide via its webcast. Considering their niche format and signal limitations, Energy did was competitive in the ratings and in revenues.

In late 2002, Big City Radio, which had overextended itself in obtaining radio stations, declared bankruptcy and began liquidating its properties. WKIE, WKIF and WDEK were sold to Spanish Broadcasting System and WXXY/WYXX (which had a Mexican music format) to the Hispanic Broadcasting Company. On January 5, 2003, Energy became "Onda 92".

Onda 92 was never successful in the ratings, and SBS had their own financial problems, so in June 2004 the company sold WKIE, WKIF and WDEK to Newsweb Corporation. At midnight on November 22, 2004, Onda signed off, and WDEK and WKIE tested the EAS twice (once for WKIE and once for WDEK) then began playing movie clips, sound effects, and messages saying "Join us at 9 AM". At 9 AM, WDEK and WKIE began simulcasting with its new adult hits/AAA sister station WRZA, aka "Nine FM". WKIF was switched to a full-time simulcast of CNN Headline News.

Nine FM hired former Energy 92.7&5 DJs Kyle Kelly and Luis 2 Live as well as former Energy mixers and other popular Chicago club DJs to host Dance Factory Fridays 10 p.m. - 5 a.m. and Saturdays 8 p.m. - 5 a.m.