Reviewed by Peter Berk, President and Chief Media Strategist, Berk Marketing · Last updated 5 September 2026
A Brief Introduction
WBBM – News Radio 780 is a Chicago radio station owned by Audacy, Inc., which acquired the former CBS Radio stations in 2017. The station broadcasts at a frequency of 780 kHz over the Chicago metropolitan area and carries a news format.
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The station’s history goes back in the media archives to 1924, when brothers Ralph and Leslie Atlass founded the station. The broadcast site obtained its license on 31 January 1924, at which time it was assigned 1330 kHz in broadcast frequency. It also acquired its call letters, WBBM. That designation changed to the slogan, “We Broadcast Better Music,” as time progressed and the format changed.
Media Home of the Chicago Bears
WBBM has enjoyed a news theme since the late 60s. Before then, from 1964 to 1968, it was considered a news-talk broadcast medium. From 2000 through the 2022 season the radio station was the flagship for the Chicago Bears, and it has also broadcast games for the Chicago Blackhawks and the White Sox; the Bears moved to ESPN 1000 from 2023. The station has ranked among the top stations in the Chicago market for years.
Up-to-Date News and Weather
The company is well-recognized for its news updates and traffic and weather on the eights. It plays broadcast host to the Chicago Air and Water Show that is held in the middle part of August annually too. At that time, news anchors report on the flying stunts of airplanes over the city’s lakefront.
A Good Choice for Advertising your Company or Business
The news radio station’s website draws substantial traffic in its own right. Its skywave-type signal can reach as far as Salt Lake in the west too. Indeed, the radio station is the station to choose for running advertising if you are a company or business that needs to expand your customer base.
Direct Response Advertising
Talk to Berk Marketing and obtain the details on how you can run economical radio advertising on stations like WBBM in Chicago. They can negotiate media spots for you that are both affordable and effective in obtaining the extra business and brand recognition needed for a better ROI.
Reliable Results
Take the time out to discuss the services offered by Berk Marketing as third-party media buyers. If you want to obtain the best returns for your marketing and promotions efforts, then utilizing the media services of an intermediary like Berk Marketing is the most affordable approach toward securing the premium advertising spots for your business or organization.
To Advertise on WBBM call Berk Marketing Radio & TV at 866-747-4707
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Berk Marketing represents advertisers, not radio stations or media companies.