WDRV 851185 223481402 2008-07-04T07:16:46Z 69.209.193.114 {{Infobox Radio station | name = WDRV/WWDV | image = [[Image:WDRV.gif]] | city = ''WDRV:'' [[Chicago, Illinois]]<br>''WWDV:'' [[Zion, Illinois]] | area = [[Chicago, Illinois]] and the Northern suburbs | branding = ''The Drive'' | slogan = ''"Timeless Rock, True Variety"''<br>''"The Soundtrack of Our Lives"'' | airdate = [[March 16]], [[2001]] | frequency = ''WDRV:'' 97.1 [[Megahertz|MHz]] [[FM radio|FM]]<br>''WWDV:'' 96.9 [[Megahertz|MHz]] [[FM radio|FM]]<br>{{HD Radio}}<small> 97.1-2 [[FM]] (WDRV-2 - '''The Drive's Deep Tracks''')</small> | format = [[Classic rock]]/[[Classic hits|hits]] | power = | erp = ''WDRV:'' 8.4/7.5 (H/V) [[kilowatt|kW]]<br>''WWDV:'' 50/38 (H/V) [[kilowatt|kW]] | haat = ''WDRV:'' 363 [[meter]]s<br>''WWDV:'' 148 [[meter]]s | class = B (both stations) | facility_id = ''WDRV:'' 49552<br>''WWDV:'' 49547 | coordinates = | callsign_meaning = Derived from "'''DR'''i'''V'''e" | former_callsigns = | owner = [[Bonneville International]] | licensee = Bonneville Holding Company | sister_stations = [[WILV]], [[WTMX]] | webcast = [http://www.wdrv.com/live/wdrv.asx Listen Live] | website = [http://www.wdrv.com wdrv.com] | affiliations = }} '''WDRV''' ('''97.1 [[FM radio|FM]] "The Drive"''') is a [[radio station]] in [[Chicago, Illinois]]. The station is currently owned by [[Bonneville International]], and simulcasts on [[WWDV]] (96.9 [[FM radio|FM]]). "The Drive" programs a [[classic rock]]/[[classic hits|hits]] format called "Timeless Rock" (similar to the early days of [[WLUP]]). WDRV now broadcasts in HD digital radio, with its normal format located at 97.1 HD1, while it airs "Deep Tracks" (deeper album cuts) on 97.1 HD2, as well as streaming both of these on the Internet at wdrv.com. ==History== The 97.1 frequency signed on as '''WNIB''' (NIB=Northern Illinois Broadcasting, original owner) in [[1957]], playing [[european classical music|classical music]]. Later, the company purchased the station at 96.9 [[FM radio|FM]] in [[Zion, Illinois|Zion]], changing the call letters to '''WNIZ''' and serving as a simulcast for communities north of Chicago. The stations were sold in [[2000]] to [[Bonneville International]]. WNIB then became WDRV "The Drive" on [[April 2]], [[2001]]. Many of The Drive's personalities have had long histories at other Chicago radio stations. The on-air staff includes morning host [[Steve Downes]] (the voice of the [[Master Chief (Halo)|Master Chief]] in the ''[[Halo (video game series)|Halo]]'' video games), Kathy Voltmer with morning news and traffic, [[Bob Stroud]] (middays), [[Bobby Skafish]] (afternoons), [[Phil Manicki]] (evenings), and [[Greg Easterling]] (overnights). Current weekend personalities include Ryan Arnold, Allie Ellison, Jim Foster, Carla Leonardo, Steve Seaver and Marc Vernon. On Saturday nights, [[The Deep End with Nick Michaels]] is aired. On Sunday mornings, Bob Stroud hosts his famous ''Rock 'N Roll Roots'' show, which debuted in [[1980]] at WMET. [[Steve Downes]]' nationally syndicated show, ''The Classics'', is aired every Sunday night. ==WWDV 96.9 FM== For many years, this station simulcast the programming of WNIB as '''WNIZ'''. When WNIB became WDRV, WNIZ became a simulcast of WDRV's sister station, WTMX. Call letters for 96.9 became '''WTNX'''. This simulcast did very little for WTMX's ratings, and management felt it would be more appropriate to be paired up with its neighbor at 97.1. On [[January 1]], [[2003]], 96.9 became the north metro frequency for "The Drive", and the call letters were changed to '''WWDV'''. ==See also== *[[WWDV]] *[[WAXO]] ==External links== *[http://www.wdrv.com "The Drive" website] *{{FMQ|WDRV}} *{{FML|WDRV}} *{{FMARB|WDRV}} *{{FMQ|WWDV}} *{{FML|WWDV}} *{{FMARB|WWDV}} {{Chicago FM}} {{Bonneville International}} {{Illinois-radio-station-stub}} [[Category:Classic rock radio stations]] [[Category:Radio stations in Chicago, Illinois|DRV]]