Cumulus Purchases Q101, Will Return To Original Alternative Format

By Lisa White in News on Jan 3, 2014 7:00PM

Dust off those Dr. Martens and bust out the flannel, Q101 is coming home. At least on the FM format front. Cumulus Media, owners of news/talk WLS AM 890 and classic hits WLS FM 94.7 just bought WLUP FM 97.9 and WIQI FM 101.1 from Merlin Media. And, as Robert Feder reports, are returning Q101 to their previous alternative format. Feder has the statement John Dickey, executive vice president and co-chief operating officer of Cumulus, gave to Inside Radio:

“The addition of WKQX and WLUP will add two legendary radio brands to the two legendary radio brands Cumulus already owns in Chicago. We are excited to be growing our presence in one of the best media markets in the world.”

Dickey stated there will be no change in the Loop’s current formatting, and that Cumulus plans to migrate WKQX from 87.7 to 101.1 next week, revert it to alternative and drop ‘90s, 2K & Today.’ Cumulus will simulcast it for a month as well. Feder also reports this comment Dickey gave AllAccess.com:

“The support for alternative in that market is huge and these are fabulous signals in the market — and these two acquisitions will improve our situation with the rock format and present a great opportunity. That puts Cumulus in a pretty significant place with a rock presence in that market and nationally too. Yes, it could lend itself to a national rock brand. That and sports go hand in hand.”

Yes, because when we think of alternative rock our brain immediately associates the word “sports!” with it. It remains unseen what the future for the current online version of Q101 holds and if any familiar faces will return with the change in format since the news of the purchase is still so fresh. In many ways it is a strange and somewhat sad roundabout way Q101 has came back around to where it all ended just a few years ago. We’ll continue to watch the somewhat bumpy path the once beloved Chicago station marches down. At least we look forward to remembering where to tune the dial if we want some Smashing Pumpkins or Rage Against the Machine next time we’re driving in a car.