About Chicago's Progressive Talk
Chicago's Progressive Talk believes that a blue city and a blue state deserve a Progressive Talk radio station that is entertaining, informative, irreverent and chock full of smart, funny shows with a progressive perspective.
We are one of the last independently owned radio stations in the country. Because we are not part of a conglomerate, our hosts have the freedom to speak their minds… and speak they do.
We commit to providing you an alternative to the status quo of talk radio and to providing our advertisers with an effective and results oriented product.
Where can I hear Chicago's Progressive Talk?
Chicago's Progressive Talk can be heard in the Following Places:820-AM- From Sunrise to Sunset...CLICK HERE for monthly broadcast hours.
From 5am - 9pm Chicago's Progressive Talk can be heard on the following FM Frequencies:
92.5 FM- Covering the Western Suburbs and Northwestern IL
92.7 FM- Covering the Northern Suburbs, Northwestern IL and Southern WI
99.9 FM- Covering the Southern Suburbs and Northwest IN
You can also listen to Chicago's Progressive Talk 24hrs/day...CLICK HERE to launch live stream!
When will the station be able to broadcast 24/7?
WCPT-AM is a "Daytimer" radio station, meaning that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) dictates the time we sign on and sign off each day. We are required by law to follow this schedule.
The rules regarding radio stations go back to 1934 when there were far fewer radio stations in the country than there are today. "Daytimers" share signals with the very first, 50,000 watt, clear channel stations (not to be confused with the company, Clear Channel) that went on air in the 1920s. WCPT-AM, for instance, is on the same frequency as WBAP in Dallas Texas. We both broadcast at 820-AM. For a long time, the FCC “protected” stations like WBAP, prohibiting anyone from broadcasting on the same signal during any time of the day - no matter how geographically distant they were.
Some years ago, however, The FCC decided to allow geographically distant stations to use these signals - but only during the day. These "heritage" stations are still protected at night - when their signals are the largest. That's why, if you turn on 820-AM at night, you may hear a Dallas Stars hockey game on WBAP-AM.
On the FM side, we will continue to air Dance Factory Radio from 9pm-5am...for more information...CLICK HERE
Will WCPT-AM eventually be able to broadcast 24/7?
Not likely. Even though there are almost 10,000 radio stations in the United States today, the FCC still adheres to the 1934 guidelines when there were less than 750. All of the clear channel stations are owned by big corporations... enough said.
What about buying a 24-hour signal?
The only way to become a twenty-four hour station would be to buy one of the few AM stations in Chicago that can broadcast 24/7. However all of those stations are owned by large corporations. Our recent expansion to the FM signals now allows us to reach the entire Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin and Northwest Indiana areas with extended hours.
