WZSR


WZSR is a radio station broadcasting a hot adult contemporary format. Licensed to Woodstock, Illinois, United States, it serves Chicago's northwest suburbs. The station is currently owned by Alpha Media. The station's studios are located behind McHenry County College in Crystal Lake.

History

WSTK

The station began broadcasting April 1, 1968, and held the call sign WSTK. It was owned by Angelo Joseph Salvi. WSTK initially aired middle of the road and country music. By 1971, the station was airing a country music format full time. The station was taken silent in 1973.

WXRD

In 1974, the station was sold to Mal Bellairs for $95,000 and returned to the air, with its call sign changed to WXRD. WXRD simulcast AM 850 WIVS in the morning and aired a progressive rock format branded "The Crossroads" the remainder of the day. By 1980, the station had switched to a MOR format.
In 1981, Bellairs sold the station, along with AM 850 WIVS, to Katy Communications of Elgin for $838,000. On October 15, 1982, WXRD became an affiliate of the Satellite Music Network. In the early 1980s, the station aired a top 40 format. WXRD was an affiliate of American Top 40 with Casey Kasem during its top 40 years. By 1984, the station had switched to an adult contemporary format.

WXET

On April 7, 1984, the station's call sign was changed to WXET. WXET aired an adult contemporary format and was branded "Lite Hits 105.5". The station also carried some Chicago White Sox baseball games. On March 3, 1988, the station was sold to Crystal Lake Radio, along with AM 850 WAIT, for $1.6 million.

WAIT-FM

On November 14, 1988, the station's call sign was changed to WAIT-FM. WAIT-FM simulcast AM 850 WAIT mornings, while adult rock from the 1970s and 1980s aired the rest of the day. In June 1990, the station adopted a CHR format, airing programming from Satellite Music Network's "The Heat" network. In March 1993, it adopted a classic rock format. Later that year, the station was sold to Pride Communications, along with AM 850 WAIT, for $2.2 million.

Star 105.5

In September 1991, the station adopted an adult contemporary format, and it was branded "Star 105.5". On October 4, 1991, the station's call sign was changed to WZSR.
In October 2000, NextMedia Group purchased Pride Communications' nine radio stations, including WZSR, for approximately $57 million. In 2014, the station was sold to Matrix Broadcasting LLC.
In April 2019, WZSR was sold to Alpha Media due to Matrix Broadcasting's bankruptcy back in March 2018.