wcia 3 champaign, wicd 15 champaign, wand 17 decatur, wics 20 Springfield, week 25 peoria, whoi 19 peoria, wmbd 31 peoria, wyyz 43 Bloomington, wbln, wtvh, wirl, wrau, wtvp, wdan, classic tv, central Illinois tv, radio, automation, Jimmy Kimmel, Nexstar Media Group, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Television News
Welcome to Central Illinois' On-Line Broadcast Museum. This website documents in detail the history of each of the viewable TV stations, past and present, across mid-Illinois in text, photos, and videos, as well as each station's current status. This site also includes local radio history and automated analog formats, again told in pictures, videos, and text.
Note that this website displays best on a full-size monitor, desktop, or laptop computer. If you're watching on your mobile phone, the mobile phone view has been replaced by the desktop view throughout this site. You can zoom in on the page if needed. Also, you may have to sign in to YouTube to view some videos. Some browsers do not allow some embedded videos to play, so click on the "YouTube" logo on the video to view it from YouTube.
Doug Quick
Radio/TV Broadcaster/
Historian, Author, Webmaster
complete
bio available here.
My 16-year-old grandson, Pete, and I are stopping along the 1931 section of US-66 near Auburn, IL
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
“Norlyn Willard Dossey: The Last Broadcast Pioneer”
This video spotlights the contribution of Norlyn Dossey of Danville, Illinois. He was one of the engineers and operators at WDAN-TV, Channel 24 in Danville during its construction in 1953. That makes the Danville station one of the heritage stations across Mid-Illinois that went on the air in 1953. Mr. Dossey, at the age of 102, is the last surviving person involved in the building of WDAN-TV.
In this video, he reflects on his life as a Marine Corps veteran during World War II, earning a Purple Heart in 1945. He returned to the Danville area for a while before moving to Cleveland, Ohio, to work on developing an FM station. He wanted to move into television, and when he learned that one was being approved for construction in Danville, near his hometown, he returned to take part in that massive project.
I also include details and pictures from those early days at WDAN-TV, including Mr. Dossey’s memories of local TV productions and a recap of the many ABC programs that aired on the station. He also talks about the station changing hands and losing its hometown identity in Danville.
This video is also posted on the History of WDAN-TV page on this site.
Featured Videos
Featured Video 1960s “Oldies”
Here through September 4th, at the Museum, we journey back with video “oldies” from 1957 through 1970.
I start with a short segment from “The Jack Benny Show” featuring Mel Blanc (the voice of hundreds of cartoon characters and other sound effects). It’s hilarious! Then a video about the life and almost death of Mel Blanc, a documentary called “Mel Blanc the Man of a Thousand Voices.”
From 1961, watch a montage of 37 shows from the 1961-62 season on ABC. Then we go to CBS for a 1963 episode of “Route 66” with Martin Milner and Glen Corbett. Those of you with connections to St. Petersburg, Florida might recognize some of the scenery from that episode.
Long before he was a starship captain on “Star Trek,” William Shatner once played a soon-to-be Indiana doctor in this episode of “Alcoa Premiere Theater,” an anthology series hosted by Fred Astiar. It also co-stars a future Shiloh Ranch owner on “The Virginian,” and another co-star would be a captain of the US Cavalry, a single father living in Mayberry, host of a variety show called “Wow,” and a family member of “Mama’s Family.” Guess who?
Music lovers will appreciate two installments of “American Bandstand.” Just check the fashions for each one, just 5 years apart. It’s quite a change!
Then a pristine installment of “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” from 1968! Great guests and a wild night, from several days after a tragic national event.
I wrap up the videos with a preview show featuring ABC's programming for the upcoming 1970-71 season, narrated by one of my favorite voice-over artists, William Schallert.
For the Classic Radio Videos/Audio, I’m giving you three samples of the same automated radio format that aired on Mid-Illinois radio stations back in the 1970s. I’ve been receiving several e-mails from website visitors with questions about the Drake-Chenault radio formats. So I went through the files and picked airchecks from WDBR, WLRW, WWTO, WBNQ, WHTT, WKDQ-FM, and WIL-FM. Hear them and notice the similarities.
Classic Television
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Jack Benny Program Segment (1957) Mel Blanc
Mel Blanc was heard on the Jack Benny Radio Shows during the 1940s and 50s, and here he’s a guest on a TV show in 1957. Besides doing voices for over 5,000 cartoons, mostly with Warner Brothers Animation, he did voices for Hanna-Barbera in his later years. In all, he had more than 400 unique voices!
He was a regular on “The Jack Benny Program,” doing the sound effects for Benny’s '26 Maxwell (automobile), Benny’s guard bear Carmichael, and Benny’s pet parrot Polly. During the 1950s, he was working on over 15 radio series while doing a variety of voices for supporting roles. He even had his own radio series, “The Mel Blanc Show,” in which he played the shy owner of a repair shop with his young cousin “Zookie.”
Jack Benny and Mel Blanc from the video segment above, 1957.
(YouTube screen grab)
This clip features the talents of Mel Blanc with Jack Benny, in which it’s obviously difficult for Jack to keep a straight face. This clip, within a “Jack Benny Program,” would have aired on WCIA, WTVH, WTHI, KHQA, and either KWK or KMOX (channel 4).
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Mel Blanc, the Man of a Thousand Voices-Documentary
Not many people know this story about Mel Blanc that begins with the details of his auto accident in 1961 that nearly killed him. This 2007 biography tells that story and profiles his life and career. For those of you who hold classic radio announcers and television voice-over artists in high esteem, like me, you’ll enjoy seeing many faces of those we’ve heard, but not often seen.
So, we’re taking the time to salute one of the greats in the voice business. Enjoy the story of Mel Blanc.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
37 ABC Shows from the Fall of 1961
See the shows that appeared on ABC in 1961 in order from Sunday through Saturday. Look for the number of actors who appeared on these shows and later became superstars!
Check out possible links between actors in later years, for example Leslie Neilson was a guest on one series, while Robert Stack played Eliot Ness on “The Untouchables.” Both actors were in the 1979 hit comedy “Airplane.”
Note the number of Warner Brothers series airing on ABC at the time. They included “Maverick,” “Lawman,” “The Cheyenne Show,” “Surfside Six,” “The Bugs Bunny Show,” “Hawaiian Eye,” “77 Sunset Strip,” and “The Roaring 20s.”
These would have been seen on the central Illinois ABC affiliates at the time: WTVP, WTVH, and KTVI.
Click on any graphic to see information on each and use arrows to scroll through the selection of shows from the 1961-62 season of ABC.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Route 66 (1963) episode: "But What Do You Do in March?"
“Route 66” is one of my favorite series of all time. When you watch any episode of this series, I recommend going to the closing credits first to see where the episode was shot, then using Google Earth to revisit all the locations used as background. The entire series was shot on locations throughout the United States. “Route 66” starred Martin Milner (as Tod Stiles), with his original co-star being George Maharis (Buz Murdock). He was later replaced by Glenn Corbett (Linc Case), who is in this 1963 installment.
“But What Do You Do in March?” was shot at and around Tampa, Florida. It’s known that many of the landmarks shown here still exist. One of the most intriguing parts of this series is, aside from the fictional drama of the storylines, the look and feel of what life was really like during the era from 1960 to 1964.
(Martin Milner and Glenn Corbett, stars of "Route 66," taking some leisure time in Florida." Keep in mind that US Route 66 didn't even run anywhere near Florida!
(YouTube screen grab)
In my opinion, it’s unfortunate that the series was shot in monochrome (black and white) instead of color, and I’m a big fan of back and white. Even though the monochrome probably helps convey the mood of each episode's drama, it would have been even better to see each location's scenery in color.
The music of Nelson Riddle filled the show, especially with the jazz melody that really gives one the feeling of driving down the highway. “The Theme from Route 66” was a mediocre hit for Nelson Riddle, reaching #30 on the Billboard Top 100. He previously had a number one hit in 1955 with “Lisbon Antiqua,” and lesser hits with “Port Au Prince” and “Theme From ‘The Proud Ones’” both from 1956. It’s surprising that “The Route 66 Theme” is probably one of his best-known releases, still well known 60 years later!
“Route 66” was a rare youth-oriented series on CBS, as the network had a reputation for being the one your parents and grandparents watched more.
Does anyone remember the 1993 revival series “Route 66”? It only ran for four episodes, but starred two young actors; one of the characters was the abandoned son of Buz Murdock, who left the old Corvette when his father died. One major flaw in this premise is that Tod Stiles actually owned the car! So, how did Buz get the car, especially when he left the series before its end?
This aired on NBC during June of 1993. The only potentially good thing about this revival was that the music was by Warren Zevon.
The original “Route 66” aired throughout mid-Illinois on WCIA, WMBD-TV, KHQA, WTHI-TV, and KMOX-TV.
WCIA Fall Promo 1981
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Alcoa Premiere Presents: “Million Dollar Hospital” (1963) ABC William Shatner
This was an installment of “Alcoa Premiere” airing on ABC Thursday night at 9 (CT). Fred Astaire hosted the anthology series, but this one episode featured a large number of future TV stars who would appear on all three networks and even in movies in the 60s and 70s. There’s even one actor with a central Illinois connection.
The story begins in Chicago, when Dr. William Grant (played by William Shatner), working at Cook County Hospital, decides to change careers. He sees an ad for a “million-dollar hospital” that’s for sale in Indiana; he investigates.
He is surprised to find not a huge hospital but a small rural hospital run by Dr. Logan (played by Charles Bickford, later in “The Virginian”).
William Shatner stars in the Alcoa Theater presentation of "Million Dollar Hospital."
(YouTube screen grab)
The supporting cast and what they were or would be best known for, includes: Reta Shaw (from “The Betty White Show” in 1958; “The Ann Southern Show” in 1958-59; and later in “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” in 1968-70); Nancy Rennick (from “Kentucky Jones” in 1964-65); Arthur Batanides (from “Star Trek” 1966); John Banner (later in “Hogan’s Heroes” 1965-71); Brooke Bundy (later “Days of Our Lives” 70s); Arte Johnson (University of Illinois Alum, "Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In” 1968-71); and Ken Berry (“F-Troop,” “Mayberry R.F.D” and “Mama’s Family”).
The episode was directed by Hershel Daugherty, who was born in 1910 in Lauramie Township, just southeast of Lafayette, in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. He also directed at least one episode of “Star Trek” in 1966 and an episode of “Mission: Impossible” also in 1966.
This hour-long TV episode aired on April 18, 1963, and would have been seen throughout mid-Illinois on WTVP, WTVH, and KTVI.
WCIA Fall Promo 1981
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
American Bandstand (1964) Dick Clark
This complete installment of “American Bandstand” goes back to December 12, 1964. It’s difficult to explain the popularity and influence of “Bandstand” to today’s young people. First of all, how teens acted, how they dressed, how they socialized, how they danced, and the music they listened to were all on national display each week.
When “Bandstand” premiered, it also led to many local “Bandstand” copies being produced and broadcast on TV stations around the country, and central Illinois saw one at almost every TV station that had a studio large enough to accommodate a group of dancing teenagers. To see more on the local dance shows, click here.
From the 1950s through the 1980s, the influence of “Bandstand” can’t be understated. After all, it was the only TV series that showed real teenagers being teenagers. Dick Clark’s interactions with the dancers/audience were priceless, and sometimes shocking even to “America’s Oldest Teenager.”
The musical guests on this December 12, 1964 episode include Neil Sedaka and Freddie “Boom Boom” Cannon, who recently passed away earlier in August 2026. "Bandstand" would have been seen throughout mid-Illinois on ABC stations WTVP, WTVH, and KTVI.
Dick Clark as he appeared in the video above from December of 1964 on "American Bandstand."
(YouTube screen grab)
A few of the dancers from the video above on "American Bandstand."
(YouTube screen grab)
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
American Bandstand (1969) Dick Clark
This is nearly a complete episode of “American Bandstand,” the teenage dance show that began in Philadelphia in the early 1950s, then went national in 1956, where it continued on ABC on weekday and Saturday afternoons through the 1980s.
This one installment from August 2, 1969 comes from what I consider the golden era of television, music, fashion, hairstyles, and me being a high school freshman.
The only thing missing from this YouTube post is the number one song of the week, “My Cherie Amour” by Stevie Wonder. Unfortunately, the song is blocked on YouTube.
"Bandstand" was broadcast in color by 1966, but what you see here is a black-and-white kinescope (filmed in black and white from an actual TV screen as it was being recorded in color for network broadcast on videotape). It would have been seen throughout mid-Illinois on WAND, WIRL, and KTVI. It was broadcast a couple of weeks before WJJY-TV in Jacksonville, IL signed on for the first time. More on that station below.
See more about “American Bandstand” on this website by clicking here.
Dick Clark as he appeared in the video above from August of 1969 on "American Bandstand."
(YouTube screen grab)
A few of the dancers from the video above on "American Bandstand."
(YouTube screen grab)
WCIA Fall Promo 1981
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1968) NBC original broadcast
This is from an era when NBC either destroyed “The Tonight Show” videos or temporarily rerecorded them to reuse the expensive 2-inch videotapes. “The Tonight Show” recordings were not archived until 1972. Many are saved at the Paily Center for Media Research within the Museum of Television and Radio in New York. The official website, johnnycarson.com, offers many clips and shows and handles licensing for them. Episodes are now also available on the Johnny Carson TV streaming channel and Antenna TV.
The VTR used was very similar to this one. This appears to be an RCA TR-70 Video Tape Recorder.
(YouTube screen grab)
Every once in a while, a recording of a classic show long thought lost comes to light. This time it’s an installment of “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” from June 19, 1968.
Evidently, this particular show was recorded directly off of the NBC network coaxial feed by an NBC affiliate, probably using an RCA TR-4 or a TR-70 2-inch Video Tape Recorder/Player. The reason for the recording is unknown, but it's great that we have it!
WICD had such a recorder in the production area when I started there in 1994. Several years later, it was dismantled and sold to a collector, so I have to assume it’s still out there somewhere.
Another note on this particular show: it aired on June 19th, within a couple of weeks after the assassination of Robert Kennedy, which occurred on June 5, 1968.
This would have been seen throughout mid-Illinois on WICS, WEEK, WICD, WWTO, WGEM, and KSD-TV.
Johnny Carson as seen on "The Tonight Show" video above from 1968.
(YouTube screen grab)
WCIA Fall Promo 1981
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
1970 Fall Preview Special (1970) ABC
I admit, I was a big fan of ABC. While other boys my age were into sports and cheered on their favorite teams, I cheered on ABC. I remember checking the TV ratings whenever I could find them in print; it was sometimes the reason for a visit to the library.
I became a big fan in the early 60s, when I found that most of my favorite shows were on ABC. By the late 1960s, ABC's promotional efforts were outstanding. Most generic network promos featured rock music, or at least contemporary themes. Many shows were aimed at 18-34 year-old viewers. You’ll see a few in this 30-minute 1970 season premiere show.
"Let's Get Together" was the theme for the 1970-74 season on ABC.
(YouTube screen grab)
Another thing about the ABC promos from the 1970s was the use of William Schallert as the voice-over announcer. His voice was perfect for this. His warm, smooth delivery was outstanding and really kept with the overall theme of the promos. You might remember Williams Schallert as the dad on “The Patty Duke Show” and as a character actor on dozens of sitcoms and dramas over the years.
ABC also had the lead on the use of network graphics. Starting in the late 1960s with the “ABC Movie of the Week” opening graphic (similar to the “2001: A Space Odyssey” graphics). The artistic use of these graphics carried over into all of the ABC graphics of the time.
William Schallert was the voice-over announcer for most of the preview show video above.
(YouTube screen grab)
Look for the salute to Quinn Martin and his successful string of TV hits from his early days with “The Untouchables.” Also, check out the news promo for ABC News headed by main anchor Frank Reynolds.
The most popular shows that season from ABC included: Number one overall “Marcus Welby M.D.,” “ABC Movie of the Week.” “The FBI,” “The Mod Squad,” “The Smith Family,” and the “ABC Sunday Night Movie.” Honorable mentions: “The Odd Couple,” “The Brady Bunch,” “The Partridge Family,” and “That Girl.”
The top 3 shows of the 1970-71 season are: “Marcus Welby M.D.(ABC), “The Flip Wilson Show(NBC), and “Here’s Lucy(CBS).
Those ABC shows were seen throughout mid-Illinois on WAND (17), WJJY (14), WIRL (19), and KTVI (2).
By the way, if you're wondering about the ABC station listed above, WJJY-TV, here is an ID card for the short-lived station licensed to Jacksonville, IL. For more details, visit the History of WJJY by clicking here.
WCIA Fall Promo 1981
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
TV Time Capsule
August 2026
August 20-26, 1955
So what’s so important about 1955? The year brought many firsts, such as the first appearance (in Illinois) of what would become a major worldwide fast-food chain, a popular toothpaste brand, the first TV remote, quite a few classic movies, many TV shows you still watch today, Disneyland opened, a major up-and-coming Indiana film star was killed, and see what everyday life was like! Plus, what popular mid-1980s movie time-traveled to 1955! You’ll see all of that, plus a full week of local TV from the August 20-26, 1955 issue of TV Guide™, along with videos of some of the programs shown that week. It’s a blockbuster Time Capsule!!
Click on the TV Guide™ picture left to see for yourself!
Classic Radio
Click on the image to watch the video on this website.
WIL Radio-St. Louis (1963) Ron Lundy
Here is Ron Lundy, jocking at WIL before his big move to WABC in New York soon after.
WIL didn’t reach much of central Illinois, but it did have ties to it. In 1957, WIL was purchased by the Balaban Brothers, Harry and Elmer, who also were part-owners of Springfield’s WICS, Champaign’s WCHU and Danville’s WICD television stations.
WIL was one of the country's original popular music stations (pre-Top 40). Under the ownership of the Balabans, the station would lose its leading position in the ratings when Storz Broadcasting’s KXOK would take the popular music crown for St. Louis for at least 15 years. The Balabans would sell the station to Lin Broadcasting in 1967. Lin was the owner of WTVP (later WAND), Channel 17, Decatur, from 1964 to around 2000.
WIL would flip formats to news in the early 60s, before flipping back to country. In 1974, the FM station changed its format and call letters from KFMS to WIL-FM to broadcast the automated “Great American Country” format from Drake-Chenault. (See automated formats on this site). The AM would remain a live-formatted country station. After success as a country station through the mid-1980s, Lin would sell the stations to Heritage Media.
In the early 90s, the station would change its call letters to WRTH, the previous call letters of 590-AM in Wood River, Illinois. It would broadcast a satellite-delivered format from Unistar that featured music from the 40s through the 60s.
Sinclair Broadcast Group would purchase the Heritage Media stations, including 1430-AM (the former WIL), WIL-FM, and KDNL, Channel 30, for $630 million in 1997. Emmis Communications would purchase Sinclair's six St. Louis radio stations during the Summer of 1999 for $220 million. However, Sinclair would hold on to KDNL, Channel 30, which it still owns today, and would lose its ABC network affiliation at the end of August.
After a disastrous run of other owners, the original WIL(AM) went through several call letter changes, eventually becoming KZQZ, and it played oldies. On March 20, 2020, the FCC revoked the station’s license after finding a convicted felon controlled it. The owners continued to operate illegally until the St. Louis Post-Dispatch resumed its investigation of the station and published findings confirming it was illegal.
The Drake-Chenault
Stations Across Mid-Illinois of the 1970s
In the late 1960s, a company called Drake-Chenault, formed by Top 40 DJ/programmer Bill Drake and broadcast owner Gene Chenault, began to develop automated radio formats with a more contemporary sound. By the early 1970s, formats like “Hit Parade”, which included more MOR standards alongside selected contemporary songs that fit the tastes of those up to 50 years old, had emerged. Later, “Solid Gold” was created to mix contemporary top 40 with more “oldies” from the late 1950s to the present. It seems that every mid-market in the country had a Drake-Chenault programmed station, and some in central Illinois did as well. What I'm featuring here are examples of broadcasts using the Drake-Chenault format on stations heard in at least parts of Mid-Illinois.
To see and hear more about the Drake-Chenault formats and other automated format companies, go to the Automated Radio Formats page on this site.
Click on the image to watch the video on this website.
WDBR (1972) Drake-Chenault “Solid Gold”
This was during the first year of WDBR, 103.7FM, Springfield. The station had just switched to the automated format “Solid Gold” from Drake-Chenault. Listen to the voices of Bob Taylor, Rich Styles, Coley Cowen, and Dave Anderson, along with voices identifying the songs provided by D-C. This is one of my earliest airchecks of WDBR, from December of 1972. The station began airing "Solid Gold" on January 14, 1972. It would begin a station-produced automated talk track "adult CHR" format in 1973.
Discover more about the History of WDBR here.
When WDBR signed on January 14, 1972, the staton aired the Drake-Chenault 50 hour rockumentary "The History of Rock and Roll." It aired from Noon, January 14 through 1am on January 17, 1972.
(Doug Quick Collection)
Click on the image to watch the video on this website.
WLRW (1974) Drake-Chenault “Solid Gold”
WLRW was airing in the same “Solid Gold” format, but on a less-than-desirable IGM Automation system. This air check is from October 17, 1974.
To see what the IGM automation system and the studios looked like during the era, check out WLRW's history here.
Click on the image to watch the video on this website.
WBNQ (1976) Drake-Chenault "XT-40"
WBNQ in Bloomington aired "Solid Gold" and "XT-40," probably the longest, from 1974 into the early 80s, when it went to a live CHR format.
This air check was recorded during the 8 am hour on August 16th, 1976. The station was using the Drake-Chenault XT-40 format.
To see and hear more from WBNQ, click here.
Click on the image to watch the video on this website.
WWTO (1973) Drake-Chenault “Solid Gold”
This air check was recorded on August 3, 1973. The voice-over for Bell’s Men's Clothing Store and other announcements was voiced by the station owner at the time, Paul Carnegie. To see more about WWTO click here.
KGRS (1976) Drake-Chenault "XT-40"
This recording of KGRS is from April 15,1976 broadcasting the Drake-Chenault XT-40 format from a Harris Automation system. See more about KGRS by clicking here.
Click on the image to watch the video on this website.
WHTT (1976) Drake-Chenault "Contempo 300"
This aircheck is a bit scratchy because it was recorded 73 miles from its transmitter. The transmitter is located near Moline, Illinois, and this was recorded from the 12th floor of Higgins Hall at Western Illinois University in what is believed to be from February 1977.
The station was running the automated format Contempo 300 from Drake-Chenault Productions. It's currently known as WXLP(FM), a classic rock station for the Quad Cities. It operates at 50,000 watts from a tower 500 feet above average terrain.
WKDQ (1977) Drake-Chenault "XT-40"
This short aircheck features only two songs, but an extended commercial set that includes more than just a few commercials. Several political ads, a weathercast, and the Drake-Chenault XT-40 format. It's believed to be from May of 1977. It was recorded from Taylorville, IL.
It's not a great example of any Drake-Chenault format, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime anomaly of an FM station reaching over 150 miles! It's unknown what kind of automation system they used, but you'll hear a cart tape problem later in the air check. I like the jingle package that I heard near the very end of the recording.
I will say, though, the station broke every rule in the D-C guidebook for running the format! Way too many commercials in the spot set!
Drake-Chenault "Great American Country as aired on WIL-FM
I don't have an actual aircheck of WIL-FM airing the Drake-Chenault "Great American Country, but this is the demo for the format using WIL-FM as the sample station. This is from the 1976 demo from Drake-Chenault. See more about Drake-Chenault by clicking here.
Announcing...
I’m now associated with a new radio consulting company called “Open-Source Radio Group.” Their website states: “At Open-Source Radio Group, we believe in the power of open, flexible radio formats that give stations the freedom to create unique sounds without constraints. Our professionally programmed music formats are tailored to local markets, blending familiarity and innovation to connect with listeners.”
My association focused on developing a mass appeal format for radio listeners whom contemporary music formats have left behind. “Doug Quick’s Golden Classics” is available to small-market, low-power, and large-to-medium-market radio stations with HD channels and offers stations ultimate program flexibility, with 100% of the commercial time going to the station. Each format is available in three service tiers. It offers a station an automation-ready, custom, personality-driven format with music from the mid-60s, 70s, and early 80s. For more information, click on the logos above.
So, what does Doug Quick's Golden Classics sound like? Click on the Video above for a sample!
Latest Sample
Recorded July 5, 2026
This is a two-hour sample of "Golden Classics" with complete songs, and only the commercials are edited out. The call letters and the radio station are for demonstration purposes only and does not exist.
The Weather for
East Central Illinois
will appear here soon.
Click on the NWS logo above to get the Lincoln, IL site and/or
click on the links below the logo for the latest weather story and current radar view of Mid-Illinois.
Support the National Weather Service! Contact your Congressional Representatives
CBS News when it was honored and respected as the jewel of the "Tiffaney network" and featured America's most trusted man, Walter Cronkite. It appears that's no longer the case.
PLease SUBSCRIBE to my
YouTube Channel
Click on the picture above of my Facebook Channel Home Page and click on the Subscribe button like the one below.
New Stuff at the Museum
Select Area Radio Stations Page
POSTED 2026-0803
Thanks to Tim Brown who sharred some newspaper ads about the very early days of WDBR, I've now added them including story about the change over to "Solid Gold" in January 1972 and a couple of ads about WDBR. Check them out, along with another "mystery" photo from WDBR. Look for it there, and if you know anything about it, please let me know!
"New" old airchecks added for WDBR, WBNQ and WLRW to Select Area Radio Station page.
POSTED 2026-0807
I found some newer airechecks from the three area radio stations and added them to the selection of my airchecks from the 1970s and 80s.
Updated the History of WICS 1953-1966 page
POSTED 2026-0811
I added additional videos and replaced one obsolete link to a video. Also there were rearranging of sections to clarify the time line of events.
Latest TV
Radio
Headlines
Cumulus Media Layoffs Continue Affecting Central Illinois Radio Stations
POSTED 2026-0811
"radioInsight.com" reports that layoffs are continuing at Cumulus Media. In Mid-Illinois the company owns and operates the following Bloomington-Normal stations:
WBNQ(101.5FM) Contimpoary Hits, WBWN(104.1FM) Country
WJBC 1230AM/102.1FM) News/Talk
WJEZ (98.9FM) Classic Hits
and the following Peoria market stations:
WFYR (97.3FM) Country
WGLO (95.5FM) Classic Rock
WIXO (105.7FM) Active Rock
WVEL (1140AM)- Urban Gospel
WZPW (92.3FM) Rhythm Contempoary
One well publisized layoff includes long-time morning WBNQ personality Susan Saunders whose final broadcast will take place on August 28th.
ABC Reported to Switch Affiliation from Sinclair's KDNL to Gray Media's KDTL-LD Channel 32.1.
POSTED 2026-0723
UPDATED 2026-0725
Deadline.com has reported that ABC is leaving Sinclair's KDNL, Channel 30 and moving to Gray Media's virtual channel 32.1 on September 1st.
Here's where it gets confusing. Instead of 32.1 coming from the signal of KDTL-LD on 32.1, it will come from KMOV's stronger transmitter on a digital signal identified as 32.1. That will bring the new ABC station the same coverage area of KMOV, Channel 4-CBS.
To clear up any confusion, visit St. Louis TV Today on this site.
KMOV-TV will provide locally produced newscasts, something that has not been a feature of KDNL since 1995, with newscasts being produced by KSDK-TV until 2001, before relying on a locally produced "news" alternative called "The Allman Report" an extension of a local conservative radio show described as having a "debate-driven format." It continued through 2018 when the host was involved in a controversial social media post.
KDNL has been said to be the lowest rated ABC affiliate in the country. What Sinclair plans to do with the station remains unannounced.
Audacy Sells St. Louis Radio Group to Hoffman Media Group Which Also Owns a Number of Illinois Newspapers
UPDATED 2026-0813
Audacy is selling its large group of radio stations in St. Louis to the Hoffmann Media Group, part of HF Companies of Winnetka, Illinois. HF Companies describes itself as “a multi-vertical, family-owned company and a multi-generational family business.” They recently obtained the NHL team, the Pittsburgh Penguins. They also own several publications, including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The media company also recently purchased Lee Enterprises, a publisher of over 120 newspapers including the following in Illinois:
The Bloomington Pantagraph
The Decatur Herald/Review
The Mattoon-Charleston Journal Gazette/Times-Courier
The Quad Cities Dispatch
Rock Island Argus
The St. Louis radio stations that are involved in the sale include:
WFUN(FM) “96.3 R&B”
KFTK(FM) “97.1 FM Talk
KYKY(FM) “Y-98”
KEZK(FM) “102.5 Adult Contemp”
KMOX AM/FM “News Talk 1120AM and 104.1FM”
K254CR/KEZK-HD2 “Hot 98.7”
The sale is pending FCC approval.
Layoffs at IHeart Media Affects Many On-Air Jobs and Other Positions
POSTED 2026-0625
iHeart Media is reportedly laying off dozens of on-air positions across its 860 stations in 160 markets, controlling over 21% of the U.S. radio market! The company has been in bankruptcy since 2019. With the current downturn in radio revenue due to shifts in listening behavior and reduced ad revenue amid increased competition from other audio sources, the company is struggling to meet its sales and profit goals.
It was in April that IHeart laid off many management and sales positions. Now, many well-known veteran air personalities have found themselves without a job. There have been reports that large portions of the air staff and other personnel at some stations have been affected by these layoffs. The company calls them “job impacts.”
iHeart Media does not own any radio stations that broadcast to Central Illinois, although many are streamed on the iHeart national streaming service.
From the St. Louis Market, IHeart stations include: KLOU(103.3FM), KSD(93.7FM). From Indianapolis, the IHeart stations include WFBQ(94.7FM). From Chicago their owned stations include WCHI(95.5FM), WGCI(107.5FM), WKSC(103.5FM), WLIT(93.9FM) and WVAZ(102.7FM). This list is by no means complete.
READ MY LATEST BLOG ON THIS SUBJECT.
The Nexstar-Tegna Merger is Still Pending...
UPDATE 2026-0813
Nexstar was recently reprimanded by a federal judge for placing several of its own company officials onto several boards of directors for Tegna, Inc. Even though the merger deal worth over $6-billion was approved, there are still several antitrust lawsuits that have been filed to hood up the final closing of the sale. There are also injuctions in affect that are requiring the companies to be operated separately in the meantime.
Nexstar currently owns/operates the TV stations WICA and WCIX (Champaign, IL) WMBD-TV and WYZZ (Peoria-Bloomington, IL) WTVO and WQRF (Rockford), WHBF-TV and KLJB(Quad Cities), WTTV, WTTK, and WXIN(Indianapolis), KPLR-TV and KTVI (St. Louis, MO).
Tegna currently owns/operates the TV stations WQAD (Quad Cities), KSDK-TV (St. Louis) and WTHR, WALV-CD (Indianapolis).
One local historical note is that Tegna is the new name for the former Gannet Publishing's ownership of stations that go back into the 1950s.
The second TV station that went on the air in the former Gannet company was Danville's WDAN-TV! The company sold the station in 1960. To see more about the History of WDAN-TV, click here.
READ MY LATEST BLOG ON THIS SUBJECT.
More Mega Merger Issues between Scripps TV and INYO Stations
UPDATED 2026-0617 The issues with mega mergers among television broadcast groups continue, with one being called out by the Internet and Television Association (NCTA-National Cable Television Association). The association has filed comments with the FCC concerning the merger of E.W. Scripps and INYO Broadcast Holdings, a group of 23 TV stations that includes WIPX, Channel 63, and WCLJ-TV, Channel 42, in Indianapolis.
FCC Plans to Auction FM Radio Construction Permits to
Perspective Radio Owners
POSTED 2026-0512
The Federal Communications Commission plans to auction FM radio construction permits beginning in February 2027.
“Auction 114 would make available for bidding construction permits for vacant FM radio channels,” it said in the announcement.
It will offer 132 CPs, including 99 not previously offered; 33 of them were offered at auction before but unsold.
Most are Class A or Class C; there is a Class B1 in Illinois. That is for 96.9FM licensed to Mattoon, IL. Save your money, though, the bidding begins at $25,000.
WICS and WICD Changing Owners Again
UPDATED 2026-0813
The application also includes details on the continuation of the "shared services agreement" with GoCom Media in the operation of WRSP, WCCU, and WBUI.
Others in original sale included ones in Hannibal, MO-Quincy IL (KHQA), Kirksville, MO-Ottumwa, IA (KTVO). That sale to Rincon was reported to total $29.5 million.
Compare that to the most recent announcement of the sale being $116.5 million for the Springfield and Champaign stations and many others located in Memphis, TN; Omak-Okanogan, Washington; Milwaukee, Wi; Lincoln, NE; Prosser, WA; Sandpoint, ID; Colville, WA; Cape Girardeau, MO; Grangeville, ID; Pendleton, OR; Spokane, WA; Lewiston, ID; New Bedford, MA; Yuma, AZ; Richland, WA; Yakima, WA; Coeur D’Alene, ID; Tulsa, OK; and Paducah, KY. The sale also includes a number of translator stations that rebroadcast the main stations owned by Rincon to hard to reach areas in the Rockies.
The purchaser is Community News Media LLC. It’s website states that it is “a leading multimedia company providing local news and information through a wide range of print, digital, and radio products...”
The local newspapers owned by Community News Media in our region include the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette, The Iroquois Times-Republic (Watseka, IL), Piatt County (Monticello, IL) Journal-Republican, and Fountain County Neighbor (Covington, IN).
Local radio stations owned by Community News Media include: WDWS (AM-FM), WHMS (FM), Champaign, IL; WKIO (FM), Monticello, IL; WDAN (AM), WDNL (FM), WRHK (FM), Danville, IL, WSOY (AM) and (FM), WDZ (AM), WDZQ (FM).
This purchase of the Rincon TV stations by Community News Media, LLC, appears to be the first venture into television for the company.
The ownership change is pending FCC approval.
Now Streaming Nationally
Click on the image above to listen to MeTVFM. It's the popular music companion to MeTV, Memorable Entertainment Television, America’s #1 all classic television network. Launched at 87.7FM in late February, 2015, MeTVFM features a unique mix of timeless and memorable music incorporating a wide variety of classic hits, deep tracks and softer sounds spanning several decades of popular music.
Previously on Videos of the Week...
If you've missed any of the "Videos of the Week" or "Classic Radio" recordings, you'll find them here. Unfortunately, there's no written narrative to go along with each. You have to visit each week for that.
Red Skelton Show (1951) CBS First Show
CBS News (1952) Douglas Edwards with the News
I Love Lucy (1953) Segment “At the Chocolate Factory”
Stars in the Eye (1952) CBS Special
Television City Tour-Part 1 (1953) CBS Edward R. Murrow
Television City Tour-Part 2 (1953) CBS
Jack Benny Show (1953) Guest: Marilyn Monroe
CBS Morning Show-first segment (1954) CBS Host: Jack Paar
See It Now (1954) CBS Edward R. Murrow
American Masters (1990) PBS Edward R. Murrow
The Bob Crosby Show (1955) CBS - Special Retrospective by Musicom
A Visit to CBS Color Television (1954) for affiliates only
Gunsmoke (1955) John Wayne’s Introduction
Andy Griffith Show (1962) CBS segment Ep 1
The Beverly Hillbillies (1963) CBS Clampetts in Court
Newsflash (1963) CBS Kennedy Assassination
CBS News Capsule (1963) CBS News Capsule
CBS Evening News (1963) CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite
The Dick Van Dyke Show (1965) CBS Season 5 Ep 1
CBS News (1968) Walter Cronkite Calls for US to leave Vietnam
CBS News (1968) Walter Cronkite/Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination Report
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1969) CBS The Never-Aired Episode
The Smothers Brothers Show Cancellation Press Conference (1969)
Classic Radio
CBS News-Chicago (2016) CBS Radio Signs off after 100 years
The Ruggles (1950) ABC “Charlie’s Promotion”
Danny Thomas Show (1961) CBS Guest: Bill Dana
Bachelor Father (1957) CBS Pilot Show
My Mother the Car (1965) NBC Pilot
The Second Hundred Years (1967) ABC
Nanny and the Professor (1970) ABC Pilot
All in the Family (1971) CBS Pilot
The Smith Family (1971) ABC Pilot
CLASSIC RADIO
KXOK (1966) William A. Hopkins
WIRL (1976) Robyn Weaver and the Early Birds
The Lawrence Welk Show (1962) ABC
The Hollywood Palace (1965) ABC Season Opener in Color
The Red Skelton Show (1970) CBS
That Girl (1971) ABC Final Show
The Midnight Special (1973) NBC
The Dana Carvey Show (1996) ABC
The Howard Stern Show (2016) SiriusXM Dana Carvey
Top 50 Best Hanna-Barbera Opening Themes
KSLQ, 98.1FM St. Louis (1980) Phillips and Wall
KXOK, 630AM St. Louis (1980) Phil Duncan
KHTR, 103.3FM St. Louis (1984) Bob Scott, Bobby Day, John Frost, Craig Roberts, Lori Thompson
KWK, 1380AM, 106.5FM St Louis (1980) Beau Raines
KADI, 96.3FM (1986) Chip St James
KRJY-FM 96.3FM St. Louis (1993) Johnny King
Jack Benny Program Segment (1957) Mel Blanc
Mel Blanc the Man of a Thousand Voices-Documentary
37 ABC Shows from the Fall of 1961
Route 66 (1963) But What Do You Do in March?
Alcoa Premiere Presents:
“Million Dollar Hospital” (1963) ABC William Shatner
American Bandstand (1964) Dick Clark
American Bandstand (1969) Dick Clark
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1968) NBC original broadcast
Classic Radio
WIL Radio-St. Louis (1963) Ron Lundy
Other selections include those on Select Area Radio Stations from
WDBR, WLRW, WBNQ, WWTO, and KGRS
WHTT (1976) Drake-Chenault "Contempo 300"
WKDQ-FM (1977) Drake-Chenault
"XT-40"
Demo for Great American Country on WIL-FM
Next Regular Update Comes September 4
To be announced
Get some History of all of these Mid-Illinois Radio stations and others under Radio History on the main menu bar above and here by choosing:
Remembering CBS Radio News
launched in 1927 under William S. Paley layed the foundation for the Columbia Broadcasting System.
The network officially signed off on May 22, 2026 by its parent company Paramount, that eliminated all the staff and distribution to 700 radio affiliate stations.
Danville had a full powered TV station from 1953-1967. Get the History of this ill-fated TV station and why it is no longer a part of the Mid-Illinois TV landscape Plus, more artifacts are now a a permanent part of Central Illinois' On-Line Broadcast Museum. Get the entire story by going to the History of WDAN-TV.
Central Illinois On-Line Broadcast Museum and dougquick.com supports the work of the St. Louis Media History Foundation.
Visit their website at:
National Academy
of Television Arts
and Sciences
Mid-America Chapter
Silver Circle Award
Winner 2013
Doug Quick, the 2017
Medium market TV
Best TV News Anchor Sliver Dome Award from the Illinois Broadcasters Association
for his work with WCCU-TV
