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B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago

Posted by Z-92 <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Z-92' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 11, 2025, 1:22 pm

Just noticed today that their moniker changed to the Rhythm of Chicago. Is this new or recent? Must cleaner than before for sure. Not sure the playlist has changed much. No 90s dance killer B style (yet?)

Re: B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago

Posted by Z-92 <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Z-92' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 11, 2025, 1:35 pm, in reply to "B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago"

*Much cleaner

Re: B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago

Posted by WKDI <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WKDI' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 11, 2025, 2:18 pm, in reply to "B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago"

Back in the 80s that was the moniker of the ORIGINAL WBMX.

Re: B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago

Posted by detectivetom <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=detectivetom' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 11, 2025, 3:38 pm, in reply to "Re: B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago"

I remember BBM FM being all automated in late 70s. No live on air talent. Think they were called Chicago Soft Rock or something similiar.

Re: B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 11, 2025, 3:49 pm, in reply to "Re: B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago"

Soft Rock 96

Here is an early air check from 1976, Tony Phillips. Plus there was a 60 second news spot too! Where is the news on a music station these days?

Z

Link: Tony Phillips on Chicago's WBBM-FM Soft Rock 96

Re: B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 11, 2025, 3:45 pm, in reply to "B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago"

Yeah great, new slogan! That will solve all your problems! SMH. The AM drive is solid, for what limited resources and freedom they are given. The PD is scrappy but again, when you are bankrupt, you can't build a concrete fortress with only water and rocky soil. Her hands are tied.

The legend of B96 is a current joke due to its parent company.

Z

Re: B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago

Posted by WKDI <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WKDI' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 11, 2025, 9:23 pm, in reply to "Re: B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago"

Earlier I mentioned the original 102.7 WBMX had that slogan because Audacy has those call letters on sister 104.3 JAMS. It would be easy to transition the JAMS format onto B96 since B96 already plays some of the same songs. The only question is whether Audacy will also transition the BMX calls to B96?

Re: B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 11, 2025, 9:57 pm, in reply to "Re: B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago"

Far reach but cool to think about.

You might be partially right, Jams will be gone, B96 will take up the lift. While....

The next FM change for Audacy will be "The Score FM". Not swapping FM frequencies.

Z

Re: B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago

Posted by WKDI <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WKDI' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 12, 2025, 8:39 am, in reply to "Re: B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago"

Sorry. I didn't mean swapping frequencies. I meant changing B96's call letters to WBMX while keeping the B96 moniker Amazing that Audacy hasn't already flipped 104 3 to the Score.

Re: B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago

Posted by Z-92 <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Z-92' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 12, 2025, 11:43 am, in reply to "Re: B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago"

I guess I don't understand the overlap of B and Jams. Maybe this "rhythm" move is signaling people to transition over as a change on 104.3 is coming? And, if you're going to do rhythm on B96, please please include the mountaintop ratings of the early 90s dance product. At least once an hour shoutout or a "back in the day dancefloor cafe" bit at noon. But, it all doesn't really matter cuz it seems like it died many years ago already.

Re: B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago

Posted by PhilJSmith <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=PhilJSmith' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 13, 2025, 1:36 am, in reply to "Re: B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago"

It sure does look like they’re lining up a corner-pocket shot to slide all the 104-3 Jams listeners over to 96.3, making room for WSCR-FM “104.3 The Score.”

Re: B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago

Posted by Jeremy Andrews <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Jeremy+Andrews' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 13, 2025, 8:28 am, in reply to "B96 - The Rhythm Of Chicago"

B96 is basically a Rhythmic leaning Hot AC station that focuses on it's golds. In Milwaukee, WMYX changed to "The 90s, 2000s & Now" They both have the same PD.

They play a lot of what B96 does. Nelly. Eminem. Backstreet Boys. Britney Spears. 50 Cent. Destiny's Child. Lot of current pop hits in there. Only difference is WMYX will play some Rock hits from Hoobastank, Fall Out Boy, etc that B96 does not play. As far as 90s, it's almost all late 90s. Target demo would put it around 40 years old if it was my guess.

Most of their Hot AC stations have a similar format to WMYX. B96 leans Rhythmic because they are trying to focus on what the station was in most of the late 90s and 2000s.

104.3 is strictly Hip-Hop and R&B from the 90s and 2000s. It is WAY more Urban than B96. Roddy Rich, Junior Mafia, Groove Theory, DJ Khaled, etc. No Taylor Swift or Britney

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