WILS
Encyclopedia
WILS is a radio station
located in Lansing, Michigan
broadcasting a news-talk format.
Until October 2006, WILS aired ABC Radio's satellite-delivered adult standards
/MOR music package known as "Timeless Classics
" (formerly "Stardust"). The station had had this format since the early 1990s and was quite successful in the ratings with it. The Timeless Favorites format moved to sister WXLA
1180 AM after that station was purchased by MacDonald Broadcasting; WILS and WXLA essentially simulcast each other with separate IDs and imaging until WILS changed to its current "More Compelling Talk Radio" format.
On January 25, 2008, WILS turned on their new Windsor Township transmitter and became the most powerful AM station in Lansing. The new daytime signal covers all of mid-Michigan including Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Mt. Pleasant, and Jackson, and can be heard as far south as Bryan, Ohio
. The new night power and footprint provides improved coverage in the Lansing area.
The local programming focuses on local issues and personalities, including business, culture/entertainment, sports, education and politics/government. Politically the programs match the community's generally progressive electoral history.
Other talk programs on the station are nationally syndicated, hosted by Laura Ingraham
, Neal Boortz
, Dennis Miller
, Lars Larson
and Jerry Doyle.
WILS was a popular Top 40 music station in Lansing during the 1960s and 1970s, becoming an adult contemporary station in the '80s, and enjoying success as an Urban Contemporary
station in the late 80's and early 90's. The station switched briefly to a Country music
format (simulcast with WILS-FM) in 1992, and then flipped to Adult Standards
in 1993. One popular WILS personality during the '60s Top 40 era was John Records Landecker
, who later went on to great popularity at WLS
in Chicago and CFTR
in Toronto.
Tom O'Toole, another popular Chicago radio personality, worked at WILS from 1969-1971. He left Lansing for 101 WRIF, Detroit, and later WLUP, 97.9 "The Loop" in Chicago. He currently does Weekends on True Oldies 94.7 WLS FM in Chicago.
WILS-AM was a fully staffed live radio station until January 17, 1984, when the station switched to mostly automation (the original automated format was Drake-Chenault's "Hitparade", a Big Band/Nostalgia format). Since then, the station has programmed a mix of automated, satellite and live programming.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
located in Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
broadcasting a news-talk format.
Until October 2006, WILS aired ABC Radio's satellite-delivered adult standards
Adult standards
Adult standards is a North American radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations.Adult standards is aimed at "mature" adults, meaning mainly those persons over 50 years of age, but it is mostly targeted for senior citizens...
/MOR music package known as "Timeless Classics
Timeless (radio network)
Timeless was a 24-hour satellite music service of Citadel Media . It has distributed a mix of soft oldies and adult standards to radio stations around the USA...
" (formerly "Stardust"). The station had had this format since the early 1990s and was quite successful in the ratings with it. The Timeless Favorites format moved to sister WXLA
WXLA
WXLA is a commercial AM radio station located in Dimondale, a suburb of Lansing, Michigan. The station broadcasts on 1180 kHz with 10,000 watts during most daytime hours. During the two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset it cuts back to 2,000 watts...
1180 AM after that station was purchased by MacDonald Broadcasting; WILS and WXLA essentially simulcast each other with separate IDs and imaging until WILS changed to its current "More Compelling Talk Radio" format.
On January 25, 2008, WILS turned on their new Windsor Township transmitter and became the most powerful AM station in Lansing. The new daytime signal covers all of mid-Michigan including Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Mt. Pleasant, and Jackson, and can be heard as far south as Bryan, Ohio
Bryan, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,333 people, 3,528 households, and 2,155 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,821.7 people per square mile . There were 3,733 housing units at an average density of 816.1 per square mile...
. The new night power and footprint provides improved coverage in the Lansing area.
The local programming focuses on local issues and personalities, including business, culture/entertainment, sports, education and politics/government. Politically the programs match the community's generally progressive electoral history.
Other talk programs on the station are nationally syndicated, hosted by Laura Ingraham
Laura Ingraham
Laura Anne Ingraham is an American radio host, author, and conservative political commentator. Her nationally syndicated talk show, The Laura Ingraham Show, airs throughout the United States on Talk Radio Network...
, Neal Boortz
Neal Boortz
Neal A. Boortz, Jr. is an American Libertarian radio host, author, and political commentator. His nationally syndicated talk show, The Neal Boortz Show, airs throughout the United States on Dial Global . It is ranked seventh in overall listeners, with 4.25+ million per week...
, Dennis Miller
Dennis Miller
Dennis Miller is an American stand-up comedian, political commentator, actor, sports commentator, and television and radio personality. He is known for his critical assessments laced with pop culture references...
, Lars Larson
Lars Larson
Lars Larson is a conservative U.S. talk radio show host based in Oregon. Larson hosts a national talk radio show, which as of 2009 is syndicated by Compass Media Networks...
and Jerry Doyle.
WILS was a popular Top 40 music station in Lansing during the 1960s and 1970s, becoming an adult contemporary station in the '80s, and enjoying success as an Urban Contemporary
Urban contemporary
Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music...
station in the late 80's and early 90's. The station switched briefly to a Country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
format (simulcast with WILS-FM) in 1992, and then flipped to Adult Standards
Adult standards
Adult standards is a North American radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations.Adult standards is aimed at "mature" adults, meaning mainly those persons over 50 years of age, but it is mostly targeted for senior citizens...
in 1993. One popular WILS personality during the '60s Top 40 era was John Records Landecker
John Landecker
John Records Landecker is a Top40/Oldies disc jockey best known for creating "Boogie Check," "Americana Panorama," and satirical songs and bits based on current events such as "Make a Date with the Watergate," and "Press My Conference." He currently hosts a TKO Radio Networks syndicated weekend...
, who later went on to great popularity at WLS
WLS (AM)
WLS is a Chicago clear-channel AM station on 890 kHz. It uses C-QUAM AM stereo and transmits with 50,000 watts from transmitter and towers on the south edge of Tinley Park, Illinois....
in Chicago and CFTR
CFTR (AM)
CFTR, broadcasting under the brand 680News, is an all-news radio station based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which broadcasts live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 680 kHz on the AM dial...
in Toronto.
Tom O'Toole, another popular Chicago radio personality, worked at WILS from 1969-1971. He left Lansing for 101 WRIF, Detroit, and later WLUP, 97.9 "The Loop" in Chicago. He currently does Weekends on True Oldies 94.7 WLS FM in Chicago.
WILS-AM was a fully staffed live radio station until January 17, 1984, when the station switched to mostly automation (the original automated format was Drake-Chenault's "Hitparade", a Big Band/Nostalgia format). Since then, the station has programmed a mix of automated, satellite and live programming.