View source for WDRV

{{Short description|Classic rock radio station in Chicago}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name                = WDRV
| logo                = WDRV theDrive97.1FM logo.png
| logo_size           = 200px
| city                = [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]]
| country             = US
| area                = [[Chicago metropolitan area]]
| branding            = ''97.1 The Drive''
| frequency           = 97.1 [[Megahertz|MHz]] {{HD Radio}}
| translator          =
| repeater            = See {{section link||Signal note}}
| airdate             = July 9, [[1955 in radio|1955]] (as WNIB)<ref name="Shen">Shen, Ted. "[https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/battle-stations/Content?oid=898670 Battle Stations]", ''[[Chicago Reader]]''. March 11, 1999. Retrieved February 17, 2019.</ref>
| format              = [[Classic rock]]
| subchannels         = HD2: "Deep Tracks" ([[Classic rock]])
| erp                 = {{ubl|8,300 [[watt]]s (analog)|297 watts (digital)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1694199&Service=FD&Form_id=335&Facility_id=49552 |title=FCC 335-FM Digital Notification [WDRV] |date=October 21, 2015 |website=fcc.gov |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |access-date=July 3, 2019}}</ref>}}
| haat                = {{convert|363|m|ft|sp=us}}
| class               = B
| facility_id         = 49552
| coordinates         = {{coord|41|53|6.1|N|87|37|18.2|W|type:landmark_region:US-IL|display=inline,title}}
| callsign_meaning    = "Drive"
| former_callsigns    = {{nowrap|WNIB (1955–2001)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=49552&Callsign=WDRV|title=Call Sign History (WDRV) |website=fcc.gov |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |access-date=July 9, 2017}}</ref>
| affiliations        = 
| owner               = [[Hubbard Broadcasting]]
| licensee            = Chicago FCC License Sub, LLC
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| sister_stations     = [[WTMX]], [[WTBC-FM]], [[WWDV]]
| webcast             = {{URL|http://playerservices.streamtheworld.com/pls/WDRVFMAAC.pls|Listen Live}}
| website             = {{URL|http://wdrv.com}} 
}}
'''WDRV''' (97.1 [[FM broadcasting|FM]], "The Drive") is a commercial [[radio station]] licensed to serve [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]]. The station is owned by [[Hubbard Broadcasting]] and airs a [[classic rock]] [[radio format|format]]. Its studios were originally located in the [[John Hancock Center]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Longtime Chicago Radio Engineer Keith Warner Passes Away |url=http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/8191-longtime-chicago-radio-engineer-keith-warner-passes-away |work=Chicagoland Radio and Media |date=May 25, 2016 |access-date=July 9, 2017}}</ref> On May 11, 2018, WDRV moved into all new, state-of-the-art, digital studios in Chicago's Prudential Plaza. WDRV's antenna is located atop the [[Aon Center (Chicago)|Aon Center]].<ref name="fccdata">{{cite web|url=https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WDRV |title=FM Query Results for WDRV |website=fcc.gov |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |access-date=July 8, 2017}}</ref> The station's programming is simulcast on [[sister station]] 96.9 [[WWDV]] in [[Zion, Illinois]].

WDRV uses [[HD Radio]] and broadcasts a classic rock format branded as "Deep Tracks" on its HD2 subchannel.<ref name="deeptracks">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=WDRV-FM's 'Deep Tracks' Stream Gets Deep Sixed |url=http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/6036-wdrv-fm-s-deep-tracks-stream-gets-deep-sixed |work=Chicagoland Radio and Media |date=October 16, 2013 |access-date=February 20, 2019}}</ref>

==History==
===WNIB===
====Early history====
WNIB was founded and built by Bill Florian.<ref name="Shen"/><ref name="BillFlorian">Goldsborough, Bob. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/obituaries/ct-bill-florian-obit-20161218-story.html Bill Florian, founder of classical radio station WNIB, dies at 84]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. December 18, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2019.</ref> The call letters stood for Northern Illinois Broadcasting.<ref name="Shen"/><ref name="BillFlorian"/> The station began broadcasting on July 9, 1955, and had the slogan "Chicago's FM Voice of Variety."<ref name="Shen"/> It primarily broadcast [[jazz]], [[show tunes]], and [[easy listening]] music.<ref name="Shen"/>

Bill Gershon was among the first announcers.<ref name="Shen"/> Among the other announcers in the early years were [[Bill Plante]],<ref name="BillFlorian"/> who went on to become a fixture at CBS News, [[Marty Robinson (announcer)|Marty Robinson]] and Don Tait,<ref name="TWTD7895">[http://www.speakingofradio.com/twtd-archive-july-8th-1995-2/ TWTD Archive — July 8, 1995], Speaking of Radio. Retrieved February 17, 2019.</ref><ref name="BillFlorian"/> both of whom later worked for [[WFMT]], and Ken Alexander, who later worked for [[WCPT (AM)|WAIT]] 820, but later returned to WNIB.<ref>"[http://www.bruceduffie.com/ken80.html Ken Alexander's Radio Recollections]", ''Nostalgia Digest''. bruceduffie.com. Retrieved February 18, 2019.</ref>

====Programming and personalities====
Gershon had the idea of playing [[classical music]] Sunday evenings and stated, "Classical music wasn't part of our programming at first, since most other FM stations aired lots of classical music, especially WFMT and WEFM. But I told Bill we should make use of the 12 records we had in the library. He said, 'All right. Just don't have any of that ivory-tower stuff here.'"<ref name="Shen"/> By early 1957 Gershon had left the station, but classical music's presence at the station was expanded, though Florian said that it was a tough sell.<ref name="Shen"/>

Sonia Atzeff, a graduate of [[Roosevelt University]] in Chicago, was hired as program director in 1958, and she steered WNIB's programming toward a classical music format.<ref name="Shen"/><ref name="BCYearbook1959">''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1959/All-Radio-1959-BC-YB.pdf 1959 Broadcasting Yearbook]'', [[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]], 1959. p. B-143. Retrieved February 20, 2019.</ref> As a classical station, WNIB would later be branded "Classical 97".<ref name="RadioWaves">''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/City-Magazines-Misc/Chicagoland-Radio-Waves-Two-Issues.pdf Chicagoland Radio Waves]'', MediaTies. Summer 1988/Spring-Summer 1989. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wnib.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000819000056/http://www.wnib.com/ |title=Your Classical Companion |publisher=WNIB |archive-date=August 19, 2000 |access-date=February 24, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Sonia Atzeff and Bill Florian were married in 1967, and Sonia later became general manager of the station, a position she held until its sale in 2001.<ref name="BillFlorian"/><ref name="BCYearbook1979">''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1979/C-1%20Radio%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201979-12.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1979]'', [[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]], 1979. p. C-64. Retrieved February 20, 2019.</ref><ref>"[https://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/soothing-sounds-go-silent/article_340cde5a-2adc-558c-8fea-36ab0a518fee.html Soothing sounds go silent]", ''[[The Times of Northwest Indiana]]''. February 11, 2001. Retrieved February 17, 2019.</ref>

Ron Ray began as a part-time announcer on WNIB in 1968.<ref name="Grier">Grier, Lita. "[http://www.bruceduffie.com/rr.html Remembering Ron Ray]", ''WNIB Program Guide''. bruceduffie.com. Retrieved February 19, 2019.</ref> Working concurrently at 105.9 [[WCFS-FM|WXFM]], Ray pre-recorded his announcements.<ref name="Grier"/> In 1977, Ray began working full-time at WNIB as program director.<ref name="Grier"/> Live classical hosts on WNIB over the years included Fred Heft, Jay Andres, Bruce Duffie, Carl Grapentine, Scott Thomas, and [[Obie Yadgar]].<ref name="Mahany">Mahany, Barbara. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-06-23-9706230030-story.html This Is About a Wild and Crazy Man + His Wife + Their 'Mom and Pop' Radio Station Which Became 1 in Classical Music in the Chicago Area]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. June 23, 1997. Retrieved February 19, 2019.</ref><ref name="Jacobs62397">Jacobs, Jodie. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-01-03-9901030286-story.html He's a Broadcasting Classic]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. January 3, 1999. Retrieved February 19, 2019.</ref><ref name="Winter1991">"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/Chicago_Magazine/Chicago-1991-Winter.pdf WNIB FM 97.1]", ''Radio Chicago''. p. 58. Winter 1991. Retrieved February 19, 2019.</ref> Miller Peters was the station's music director in its final years, and also served as a weekend host.<ref name="Mahany"/><ref name="Jacobs62397"/><ref name="Winter1991"/> Syndicated programs included ''[[Adventures in Good Music]]'' with [[Karl Haas]], which aired Mon–Fri at 7 p.m.<ref name="Winter1991"/>

While classical music was the station's primary focus, for a period, brokered ethnic and religious programming aired in some late night hours.<ref name="Shen"/> The brokered ethnic and religious programming were dropped in the 1980s.<ref name="Haynes">Haynes, V. Dion. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-07-25-8602230908-story.html Station WNIB Making Waves With a Classical Success Story]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. July 25, 1986. Retrieved February 20, 2019.</ref>

Florian, a jazz aficionado, also hired [[Dick Buckley]] as a DJ for the station's jazz programming.<ref name="Shen"/><ref>Biro, Nick. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=IhYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA12 Dealers Swing With Jazz]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. April 28, 1962. p. 12. Retrieved February 18, 2019.</ref> [[Neil Tesser]] also hosted a jazz program on WNIB from 1974 to 1976.<ref>"[https://radionetwork.wfmt.com/people/our-producers/neil-tesser/ Neil Tesser], [[WFMT|WFMT Radio Network]]. Retrieved February 18, 2019.</ref><ref>Duston, Anne. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=hAkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA3 Awards to Three For Contributing to Chicago Jazz]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. December 26, 1974. p. 3. Retrieved February 18, 2019.</ref> Blues hosts included Mr. A. and Big Bill Collins.<ref>Seigenthaler, Katherine. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1989-07-25-8902200287-story.html Classic Sounds in the Wee Hours]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. July 25, 1989. Retrieved February 18, 2019.</ref>

''Those Were the Days'', a four-hour old-time radio program hosted by [[Chuck Schaden]], aired on WNIB Saturdays from September 6, 1975, until February 10, 2001.<ref name="TWTD7895"/> Dick Lawrence hosted ''The Dick Lawrence Review'', a weekly program on WNIB that featured nostalgic commentary and readings, along with vintage music.<ref>''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/Chicago_Magazine/Chicago-Radio-Guide-May-1985.pdf Chicago Radio Guide]''. Vol. 1, No. 1. May 1985. p. 54. Retrieved January 17, 2019.</ref><ref>Heise, Kenan. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-03-31-9201290546-story.html Dick Lawrence, 66; Was Host of WNIB Weekly Radio Show]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. March 31, 1992. Retrieved February 18, 2019.</ref>

====Facilities====
WNIB's studios and transmitter were originally located at the [[Midwest Athletic Club|Midwest Hotel]], at Hamlin and Madison in [[West Garfield Park, Chicago|West Garfield Park]].<ref name="Shen"/><ref name="HistoryCards">[https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=82224 History Cards for WDRV], fcc.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2019.</ref> Subsequent studio locations for WNIB included 108 N. State St., [[Riverside Plaza (Chicago)|Riverside Plaza]], 25 E. Chestnut St., 12 East Delaware Place, and finally 1140 W. Erie.<ref name="HistoryCards"/><ref name="Jacobs62397"/> In 1968, the station's transmitter was moved to the [[Civic Opera Building]].<ref name="HistoryCards"/> In 1976, WNIB's antenna and transmitter were relocated to the top of the [[Aon Center (Chicago)|Standard Oil Building]].<ref name="HistoryCards"/>

In 1983, the Florians purchased 96.9 [[WWDV|WKZN]] in [[Zion, Illinois]], for $1 million.<ref name="Shen"/> The station's call sign was changed to WNIZ, and it began simulcasting the programming of WNIB.<ref name="Shen"/><ref name="Haynes"/> The following year, WNIB's ERP was increased from 850 watts to 8,400 watts.<ref name="HistoryCards"/><ref>[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/comment.pl?Application_id=62921&File_number=BPH-19831109AI Public Notice Comment – BPH-19831109AI], fcc.gov. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/comment.pl?Application_id=69531&File_number=BLH-19840515CP Public Notice Comment – BLH-19840515CP], fcc.gov. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref> Its ratings grew significantly in the following years, and by the late 1980s it began to surpass 98.7 [[WFMT]].<ref name="Shen"/><ref name="Haynes"/>

====Further history====
In 1969, WNIB began publishing a monthly program guide which listed all the music being played each day on the station.<ref>Marsh, Robert C. "[http://www.bruceduffie.com/wnibps.html FM Scene Information Guide]", ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]''. March 30, 1969. Section 3, Page 5. bruceduffie.com. Retrieved February 19, 2019.</ref><ref name="ProgGuide">[http://www.bruceduffie.com/wnibps.html WNIB Program Guide], bruceduffie.com. Retrieved February 19, 2019.</ref>  The inclusion of the label and record number enabled listeners to purchase things they enjoyed hearing, and the subscription price helped keep the station going during the leaner times.  The covers at first had details of well-known artworks, and later had original sketches and caricatures by Richard Kimmel and Robert Kameczura.<ref name="ProgGuide"/>

When 99.5 [[WUSN|WEFM]] was sold and abandoned its longtime classical music format in 1978, a portion of its classical music library was donated to WNIB as part of the settlement to permit the station's sale.<ref name="Brenner">Brenner, Daniel L. "[https://scholarship.law.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4818&context=penn_law_review Government Regulation of Radio Program Format Changes]", ''[[University of Pennsylvania Law Review]]''. Volume 127. 1978. Retrieved February 18, 2019.</ref>

WNIB was also famous for having dogs and cats in residence, which were audible at times during announcements.<ref name="Mahany"/><ref name="Shen"/><ref name="BillFlorian"/> The animals were featured in local media, and listeners seemed to enjoy knowing that they were there.<ref name="Mahany"/><ref name="Shen"/><ref name="BillFlorian"/>

In 1999, the media brokerage team of Bob Heymann and Jack Minkow began serious discussions with Bill and Sonia Florian regarding the possible value of WNIB (and WNIZ) in a sale to another Chicago radio station owner.  After much deliberation, in 2000 the Florians listed the stations with Heymann and Minkow.  There was significant interest from a number of broadcasters with [[Bonneville International]] in November 2000 ultimately making the best offer of $165,000,000 cash for the FM licenses, the WNIB transmitter lease at the Standard Oil Building, the studio lease for WNIZ in Zion, Illinois, and the WNIZ transmitter site and tower in [[Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin]].<ref name="Shen"/><ref>Von Rhein, John. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-12-10-0012100442-story.html R.I.P. WNIB]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. December 10, 2000. Retrieved February 18, 2019.</ref> With the proceeds of the sale, the Florians established the NIB Foundation, which awarded grants to music, dance, environmental, and animal rights causes.<ref name="BillFlorian"/><ref>[[Robert Feder|Feder, Robert]]. "[https://www.robertfeder.com/2016/12/12/robservations-bill-kurtis-lends-voice-wgn-radio/ Robservations: Bill Kurtis lends voice to WGN Radio]", RobertFeder.com. December 12, 2016. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref>

After the completion of a final program on February 11, 2001, the station was turned off.<ref name="Delacoma">Delacoma, Wynne. "[http://www.kcstudio.com/SunT.html Classical station bows out with class]", ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]''. kcstudio.com. February 13, 2001. Retrieved February 19, 2019.</ref> The following day, new owners took the air with a different format.<ref name="Delacoma"/>

Bill Florian died on December 7, 2016, of lung cancer at the age of 84.<ref>[[Robert Feder|Feder, Robert]]. "[http://www.robertfeder.com/2016/12/12/robservations-bill-kurtis-lends-voice-wgn-radio/ Robservations:  Bill Kurtis lends voice to WGN Radio]", www.robertfeder.com, December 12, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2019.</ref><ref name="BillFlorian"/>

===WDRV===
On February 12, 2001, 97.1 began to stunt with all day sets from artists such as [[Barbra Streisand]], [[Garth Brooks]], [[the Beach Boys]], [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]], [[Pink Floyd]], and [[the Beatles]], while its simulcast partner 96.9 WNIZ began simulcasting 101.9 [[WTMX]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://djheadlines.com:80/index.php?pid=103|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041220054051/http://djheadlines.com:80/index.php?pid=103|title=Chicago Media Headlines - February|website=DJHeadlines.com|date=February 2001|access-date=February 20, 2019|archive-date=December 20, 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.djheadlines.com:80/index.php?pid=104|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016025342/http://www.djheadlines.com:80/index.php?pid=104|title=Chicago Media Headlines - March|website=DJHeadlines.com|date=March 2001|access-date=February 20, 2019|archive-date=October 16, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2001/RR-2001-02-16.pdf Street Talk]", ''[[Radio & Records]]''. February 16, 2001. p. 30. Retrieved February 20, 2019.</ref> On March 15, 2001, the call sign was changed to WDRV, and the station adopted a [[classic hits]] format as "The Drive".<ref>{{cite news |last=Kening |first=Dan |date=March 15, 2001 |title=Former Wnib Debuts Rock And Pop Oldies Format As 'The Drive' |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2001-03-15-0103220407-story.html |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date=February 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2001/RR-2001-03-23.pdf Bonneville Goes for a Drive in Chicago]", ''[[Radio & Records]]''. March 23, 2001. p. 3. Retrieved February 20, 2019.</ref> In 2003, 96.9 in Zion began simulcasting WDRV, and its call sign was changed to [[WWDV]].<ref>"[https://www.wtfda.org/vud100s/2003/02-2003VUD.pdf FM News]", ''VHF-UHF Digest''. February 2003. Retrieved February 24, 2019.</ref>

Over the years, The Drive's format evolved into a broad-based classic rock format.<ref>"[https://www.allaccess.com/rock/10-questions/archive/28101/10-questions-with-bob-stroud 10 Questions with ... Bob Stroud]", ''All Access Music Group''. April 17, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2019.</ref>

Bonneville announced the sale of WDRV and 16 other stations, to [[Hubbard Broadcasting]] on January 19, 2011.<ref name=ri-saletohubbard>{{cite news|title=$505M sale: Bonneville sells Chicago, D.C., St. Louis and Cincinnati to Hubbard|url=http://www.radio-info.com/news/505m-sale-bonneville-sells-chicago-dc-st-louis-and-cincinnati-to-hubbard|access-date=January 19, 2011|newspaper=Radio-Info.com|date=January 19, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121233505/http://www.radio-info.com/news/505m-sale-bonneville-sells-chicago-dc-st-louis-and-cincinnati-to-hubbard|archive-date=January 21, 2011}}</ref> The sale was completed on April 29, 2011.<ref name=ri-hubbardtakeover>{{cite news|title=Hubbard deal to purchase Bonneville stations closes|url=http://www.radioink.com/Article.asp?id=2174844&spid=24698|access-date=May 2, 2011|newspaper=[[Radio Ink]]|date=May 2, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312055419/http://www.radioink.com/Article.asp?id=2174844&spid=24698|archive-date=March 12, 2012}}</ref>

On June 27, 2011, WDRV celebrated its 10th anniversary by organizing a free-entrance concert at the [[Rosemont Theatre]] by [[America (band)|America]] and headliner [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=The Drive Hosts Free 10th Anniversary Concert |url=http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/1626-the-drive-hosts-free-10th-anniversary-concert |work=Chicagoland Radio and Media |date=May 12, 2011 |access-date=July 9, 2017}}</ref>

Online streaming of the "Deep Tracks" programming broadcast on WDRV's HD2 subchannel was discontinued in October 2013, due to its popularity.<ref name="deeptracks"/> The high amount of traffic to the site made the stream too expensive to maintain, considering the cost of the service, royalty payments and lack of commercials to offset costs.

The station celebrated its 15th anniversary on Friday, May 20, 2016, with a concert at the [[Rosemont Theater]] featuring [[Boston (band)|Boston]] and [[Jefferson Starship]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Argyrakis |first=Andy |date=May 20, 2016 |title=Legends Boston and Jefferson Starship, local favs Backdated rock The Drive's milestone bash |url=http://chicagoconcertreviews.com/reviews/2016-05-20-boston-jefferson-starship-backdated-drive/ |work=Chicago Concert Reviews |access-date=July 9, 2017}}</ref>

WDRV features ''The Sherman & Tingle Show'' (Brian Sherman and Steve Tingle which debuted the morning of October 31, 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.robertfeder.com/2016/10/06/robservations-wait-till-sherman-tingle-meet-eric-kathy/ |title=Robservations: Wait till Sherman & Tingle meet Eric & Kathy |website=robertfeder.com |date=October 6, 2016 |access-date=November 11, 2017}}</ref>

The station's current weekday airstaff includes Sherman & Tingle (mornings), Bob Stroud (host Ten at 10), Janda Lane (middays), Tim Virgin (afternoons), and Alice Cooper (nights).

==Signal note==
WDRV is short-spaced to sister station [[WWDV]] (licensed to serve [[Zion, Illinois]]) as they operate on adjacent channels and the cities they are licensed to serve are only 40 miles apart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.freemaptools.com/how-far-is-it-between-zion_-il,-united-states-and-chicago_-il,-united-states.htm |title=How Far is it Between Zion, IL, United States and Chicago, IL, United States |website=Free Map Tools |access-date=July 8, 2017}}</ref> The minimum distance between two Class B FM radio stations operating on adjacent channels according to current [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]] rules is 105 miles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2012-title47-vol4/pdf/CFR-2012-title47-vol4-sec73-207.pdf |title=Minimum distance separation between stations. 47 CFR 73.207 (1) |access-date=July 8, 2017}}</ref> Both stations use [[directional antenna]]s to reduce their signals toward each other.<ref name="fccdata"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WWDV |title=FM Query Results for WWDV |website=fcc.gov |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |access-date=July 8, 2017}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://wdrv.com}}
*[http://www.kcstudio.com/wniba.html Articles, photos and other info about WNIB]
*{{FM station data|49552|WDRV}}

{{Chicago Radio}}
{{Classic Rock Radio Stations in Illinois}}
{{Hubbard Broadcasting Corporation}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Classic rock radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Chicago|DRV]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1955]]
[[Category:1955 establishments in Illinois]]