Cumulus Media’s WLS-AM 890 in Chicago Celebrates 100 Years On-Air

CHICAGO, IL — April 12, 2024 — Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) announces that Chicago News/Talk station WLS-AM 890 celebrates 100 years on-air today. On April 12, 1924, at 6:00pm, an experiment in radio took to the airwaves and “W-L-S, The Sears-Roebuck Station, Chicago!” was live on-air. 100 years later, the station looks back to honor those who made 890 WLS-AM what it is today. What started as a station for farmers evolved into the epicenter for rock ‘n’ roll in the 60s and 70s and for the past 30 years, has been the home for news and talk in Chicago.

To kick off the celebration, WLS-AM 890 will air a two-part 100 anniversary special on Saturday, April 13th and on Sunday, April 14th, from 4:00pm-8:00pm each day, hosted by Jeff Davis.

Marv Nyren, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Chicago, said: “WLS is bigger than a destination on your radio dial – it’s a Chicago institution and treasure. 100 years ago, radio was simply sound communication via radio waves but there’s nothing simple about the impact of WLS on Chicago. WLS has been a neighbor, a friend, and a mentor for people in Chicagoland. It’s been a place where people can go for entertainment and information – and it’s been a companion to the biggest moments in history.  We are excited to usher in WLS-AM’s next 100 years with Chicago’s best audio content on-air, online, on-demand, and onsite.”

Stephanie Tichenor, Program Director, 890 WLS-AM, commented: We are not bound by physical limits. WLS is on your phone, your smart speakers, in your car, and on your desktop. Our signal only grows in this digital world, and we will continue to grow and evolve thanks to our amazing team. Please join us in wishing the Big 89 a Happy 100th Birthday and here’s to the next century of WLS, radio, and Chicago!”

For more information or to stream WLS-AM 890, visit: https://www.wlsam.com/.

About Cumulus Media

Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) is an audio-first media company delivering premium content to over a quarter billion people every month — wherever and whenever they want it. Cumulus Media engages listeners with high-quality local programming through 403 owned-and-operated radio stations across 85 markets; delivers nationally-syndicated sports, news, talk, and entertainment programming from iconic brands including the NFL, the NCAA, the Masters, CNN, AP News, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and many other world-class partners across more than 9,800 affiliated stations through Westwood One, the largest audio network in America; and inspires listeners through the Cumulus Podcast Network, its rapidly growing network of original podcasts that are smart, entertaining and thought-provoking. Cumulus Media provides advertisers with personal connections, local impact and national reach through broadcast and on-demand digital, mobile, social, and voice-activated platforms, as well as integrated digital marketing services, powerful influencers, full-service audio solutions, industry-leading research and insights, and live event experiences. Cumulus Media is the only audio media company to provide marketers with local and national advertising performance guarantees. For more information visit www.cumulusmedia.com.

Contact: Lisa Dollinger, Dollinger Strategic Communication for Cumulus Media, 512.633.4084, lisa@dollcomm.com.