WXRD (103.9 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a classic rock format using the station name X-Rock 103.9. Licensed to Crown Point, Indiana, United States, it serves Northwest Indiana and Chicago's south suburbs. The station is currently owned by Adams Radio Group, through licensee ARG of Northern Indiana LLC. The station also features national and local newscasts.
History The station began broadcasting November 10, 1972, holding the call sign WFLM, and airing an easy listening format, as the "World's Finest Listening Music".History Cards for WXRD, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 29, 2018.Ghrist, John R. (1996). Valley Voices: A Radio History. Crossroads Communications. p. 252-257. The station was originally owned by John Meyer. In 1982, the station's call sign was changed to WWJY, and the station was branded "Joy"/"South Lake 104". In 1993, John Meyer sold the station to M & M Broadcasting, owned by former Hammond, Indiana, mayor Thomas McDermott Sr., for $600,000."Changing Hands", Broadcasting, February 8, 1993. p. 51. Retrieved July 29, 2018. On March 1, 1993, the station's format was changed from easy listening to CHR.The M Street Radio Directory. 1995. p. 208. Retrieved July 29, 2018. In 1995, the station began to simulcast the rock format of WABT 103.9 in Dundee, Illinois."Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol 12 No. 31. August 2, 1995. p. 1. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
In 1996, the station was sold to Z-Spanish Network, along with WABT, for $3.6 million,"Elsewhere", The M Street Journal. Vol. 13 No. 12. March 20, 1996. p. 8. Retrieved July 29, 2018."Newsline", Billboard, March 30, 1996. p. 142. Retrieved July 29, 2018. and the station adopted a Spanish language format,Hevrdejs, Judy; Conklin, Mike. "NBA Champion Trophy Mystery Gets Crystal Clear Solution", Chicago Tribune, June 13, 1996. Retrieved July 29, 2018. as "La Zeta"."Call Letter Changes", The M Street Journal. Vol. 13 No. 28. July 10, 1996. p. 4. Retrieved July 29, 2018. On July 1, 1996, the station's call sign was changed to WZCO. The station would go silent shortly thereafter, before switching to a country music format in November 1996, with programming from Real Country, under a Local marketing agreement with M & M Broadcasting, who was in the process of purchasing the station."Format Changes", The M Street Journal. Vol. 13 No. 48. November 27, 1996. p. 1. Retrieved July 29, 2018. On December 2, 1996, the station's call sign was changed to WXRD. By 2002, the station's format had been changed to classic rock.The M Street Radio Directory. 2002-2003. p. 206. Retrieved July 29, 2018. In 2004, the station was sold to Radio One Communications, along with WZVN, for $4.9 million."Changing Hands", Broadcasting & Cable. January 11, 2004. Retrieved June 7, 2021.Application Search Details, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 29, 2018.Erler, Susan. "Radio One adds room to grow", The Times of Northwest Indiana. June 28, 2006. Retrieved June 7, 2021. The station was purchased by Adams Radio Group in 2014."Adams Radio Group Closes On Purchase Of Northwest IN's Radio One Communications Stations", Chicagoland Radio and Media. August 6, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2018.Zivanovic, Crista. "Adams Radio closes on deal to buy Valpo's Radio One", The Times of Northwest Indiana. August 6, 2014. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
After 18 years, WXRD pulled The Bob and Tom Show off the air on June 17, 2019, and began a locally produced classic rock morning show. As of December 2021, Nights with Alice Cooper was the station's only syndicated day-part.
Effective June 9, 2023, Adams Radio Group's portfolio of 18 stations and translators, including WXRD, was sold for $12.6 million.
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