WXES
| |
| Frequency | 1110 kHz |
|---|---|
| Programming | |
| Language | Spanish |
| Format | Catholic radio |
| Network | ESNE Radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | El Sembrador Ministries |
| History | |
First air date | July 28, 1926 |
Former call signs | WMBI (1926–2021) |
Former frequencies | 1080 kHz (1928–1941) |
Call sign meaning | "El Sembrador" (The Sower) |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| 65972 | |
| Class | D |
| Power | 4,200 watts (days only) |
Transmitter coordinates | 41°55′41″N 88°0′25″W / 41.92806°N 88.00694°W |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Website | esneradio |
WXES (1110 AM) is a noncommercial radio station licensed to Chicago, Illinois, United States, that operates during the datime hours only. It carries Spanish-language Catholic programming, owned and operated by ESNE Radio via El Sembrador Ministries.
The station's transmitter is off North Palazzo Drive near West Moorland Avenue in Addison, Illinois.
History
[edit]The station signed on the air on July 28, 1926. Its original call sign was WMBI, which stood for the Moody Bible Institute.[2] The station originally broadcast at 1080 kHz, sharing time with WCBD.[2] WMBI's frequency was changed to 1110 kHz in March 1941, as a result of the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA).[2] For 95 years, the station was operated by Moody Bible, originally broadcasting English-language Christian programming.
For decades, WMBI, like many major Chicago stations, could be heard in much of West Michigan; indeed, it had substantial listenership in that region, as far east as Grand Rapids. However, as more stations signed on in West Michigan, WMBI was crowded out.[3][4]
In 1960, Moody Bible added an FM station at 90.1 MHz, WMBI-FM. At first, the two stations simulcast their programming, but over time the FM station developed its own programming. WMBI 1110 switched to a Spanish-language Christian format on February 6, 2012, making it the first full-time format of its kind on analog radio in Chicago.[5] In 2019, Moody announced it intended to sell the station.[6]
In 2021, El Sembrador Ministries acquired 1110 WMBI and a permit for an FM translator, W292GB at 106.3 FM. The price tag was $1.6 million. ESNE Radio already aired part-time on WNDZ in Portage, Indiana.[7] The transaction was consummated on July 13, 2021. On July 19, the station's call sign was changed to WXES.[8]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WXES". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- 1 2 3 "History Cards for WXES (WMBI)". Federal Communications Commission. (Guide to reading History Cards)
- ↑ Rouech, Chris (December 2, 1987). "Christian radio station plans February debut". The Grand Rapids Press. Grand Rapids, Michigan. p. 3. Retrieved February 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Butler, Ruth (January 20, 1989). "New Christian radio station kicks off with Moody programs". The Grand Rapids Press. Grand Rapids, Michigan. p. D6. Retrieved February 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "WMBI-AM launches Spanish-speaking Christian station". Radio & Television Business Report. February 6, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ↑ Feder, Robert (July 16, 2019). "Robservations: Moody Bible Institute selling AM radio stations". Robert Feder. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
- ↑ Venta, Lance (March 31, 2021). "El Sembrador Ministries Enters Chicago". RadioInsight. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ↑ Call Sign History, fcc.gov. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
External links
[edit]- Facility details for Facility ID 65972 (WXES) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WXES in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
