WLIP

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WLIP (1050 AM) is a commercial radio station in Kenosha, Wisconsin, serving parts of the Chicago and Milwaukee metro areas along the west shore of Lake Michigan. It airs a talk radio format and is owned by Connoisseur Media (via Alpha Media Licensee LLC). The studios are in the north end of the Gurnee Mills Mall in Gurnee, Illinois. The transmitter is in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, and WLIP broadcasts at 250 watts with a non-directional antenna. Because 1050 AM is a Mexican clear-channel frequency, WLIP must avoid interfering with Class A station XEG in Monterrey and CHUM in Toronto. Most hours begin with an update from Fox News Radio. Weekdays feature local morning and afternoon drive-time talk, some midday hours, with syndicated shows Markley, Van Camp and Robbins in early afternoons and Coast to Coast AM overnight. Weekends offer money, health and outdoors programming, brokered shows, plus oldies and Christian programs.

History
- WLIP first signed on May 18, 1947 as a daytime-only, 250-watt station. The original studios were in the Kenosha National Bank Building basement. In 1982, it moved to new studios at 8500 Green Bay Road.
- In 1962, WLIP launched an FM sister at 95.1, WLIP-FM (later WJZQ, then WIIL).
- In the 1950s and 1960s, the station offered a popular adult music format, but owner Bill Lipman did not allow Top 40. A weekend hit-music show hosted by Terry Havel existed.
- In 1975, AM and FM began operating under new management as a full-service adult contemporary format known as “Music 1050.”
- Lipman’s family ran the stations by the late 1970s. In 1987, the FCC allowed WLIP to broadcast full time.
- The 1990s saw more talk programming during the day, with oldies on nights and weekends.
- In 1996, WLIP switched to Dial Global’s Adult Standards; this lasted until December 2003, when it joined ABC Radio’s Unforgettable Favorites. In 2005, the station switched to ABC’s Oldies Radio.
- By 2010, WLIP increased local talk during most of the day, with some shows replayed in the evenings. Weekend programming includes how-to programs, brokered shows, and local talk. The station also features 1960s–1970s oldies on weekends, along with specialty shows such as Jukebox Saturday Night and The Doo-Wop Diner. The Music of the Stars with Lou Rugani has aired Sundays since 1992.