About WCPT
WCPT 820 AM believes that a blue city and a blue state deserve a Progressive Talk radio station that is entertaining, informative, irreverent and chock full of smart, funny shows with a progressive perspective.
We are one of the last independently owned radio stations in the country. Because we are not part of a conglomerate, our hosts have the freedom to speak their minds… and speak they do.
We commit to providing you an alternative to the status quo of talk radio and to providing our advertisers with an effective and results oriented product.
WCPT STATION HOURS
When will the station be able to broadcast 24/7?
WCPT is a "Daytimer" radio station, meaning that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) dictates the time we sign on and sign off each day. We are required by law to follow this schedule.
The rules regarding radio stations go back to 1934 when there were far fewer radio stations in the country than there are today. "Daytimers" share signals with the very first, 50,000 watt, clear channel stations (not to be confused with the company, Clear Channel) that went on air in the 1920s. WCPT, for instance, is on the same frequency as WBAP in Dallas Texas. We both broadcast at 820-AM. For a long time, the FCC “protected” stations like WBAP, prohibiting anyone from broadcasting on the same signal during any time of the day - no matter how geographically distant they were.
Some years ago, however, The FCC decided to allow geographically distant stations to use these signals - but only during the day. These "heritage" stations are still protected at night - when their signals are the largest. That's why, if you turn on 820-AM at night, you may hear a Dallas Stars hockey game on WBAP-AM.
Will WCPT eventually be able to broadcast 24/7?
Not likely. Even though there are almost 10,000 radio stations in the United States today, the FCC still adheres to the 1934 guidelines when there were less than 750. All of the clear channel stations are owned by big corporations... enough said.
What about buying a 24-hour signal?
The only way to become a twenty-four hour station would be to buy one of the few AM stations in Chicago that can broadcast 24/7. However all of those stations are owned by large corporations. At least our recent move from 850-AM to 820-AM now allows us to reach the entire Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin and Northwest Indiana areas during the daytime.
