WDCB Public Radio

What WDCB Public Radio does

WDCB Public Radio is a non-profit, non-commercial public radio station owned and operated by College of DuPage, broadcasting from Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Founded in July 1977 as a 5,000-watt classical and educational station, WDCB transitioned to jazz as its primary format by the late 1980s and now dedicates more than 75% of its music programming to straight-ahead jazz, with additional coverage of blues, Afro-Cuban jazz, Brazilian jazz, big band, traditional jazz, roots rock, Americana, and Celtic music. The station operates a dual FM broadcast footprint—90.9FM covering the broader Chicagoland area from Glen Ellyn, and a 90.7FM signal secured in 2026 covering Chicago's West Loop and adjacent neighborhoods—and describes itself as Chicago's only station dedicated to jazz and blues programming.

The station's product portfolio centers on continuous FM broadcast supplemented by a multi-channel digital distribution strategy: online live streaming via wdcb.org, native iOS and Android mobile applications, a two-week on-demand program archive with pause/rewind capabilities, weekly program schedule grids, music playlists via Spinitron integration, and a comprehensive Chicagoland jazz and blues events calendar. Programming includes specialty shows such as The Arts Section (hosted by Gary Zidek), Notes from the Jazz Underground, DCB Jazz extended-format programming, and the Lakeside Concert Series produced in partnership with the McAninch Arts Center on the College of DuPage campus.

WDCB operates as a listener-supported public radio station with a $1.2 million annual operating budget funded through a diversified revenue mix: individual donations (Encore Club monthly sustaining program and $60/year basic membership), corporate sponsorship and underwriting (with 20-second on-air acknowledgment messages), Illinois Arts Council Agency grants administered through the Illinois Public Broadcasting Grant, employee matching gifts processed via the College of DuPage Foundation (a 501(c)(3)), and special events including the Lakeside Concert Series and WDCB Jazz Nights at partner venues. The station cultivates an extensive ecosystem of 25+ named partnerships with Chicago jazz venues (Green Mill, Jazz Showcase, Winter's Jazz Club, City Winery), festivals (Chicago Jazz Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Ravinia), and performing arts organizations (Auditorium Theatre, Chicago Symphony Orchestra), serving a demographically upscale audience described as highly educated and affluent.

Name

WDCB Public Radio

Legal name

WDCB Public Radio

Website

https://wdcb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

WDCB Public Radio is a non-profit, listener-supported public radio station owned by College of DuPage that broadcasts jazz and blues programming from Glen Ellyn, Illinois to the Chicagoland area via 90.9FM and 90.7FM, supplemented by online streaming, mobile apps, and an extensive Chicago jazz venue partnership network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

University/Educational Local Stations (College Radio, Campus TV) (MPABACAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public/Noncommercial Radio Broadcasting (NPR, Community, Campus) (MPAIAEAB), Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE), Public/Community Local Stations (PBS Member Stations, Community Radio, LPFM) (MPABACAG)

Keywords

• Public radio broadcasting
• Jazz radio programming
• Community radio station
• FM radio broadcast
• Music streaming service

Headquarters

HQ city

Glen Ellyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Listener Donations: Tax-deductible contributions from listeners supporting WDCB's operations. Monthly sustaining donations available through Encore Club program. Minimum donation level of $60 for basic support benefits ($30 for seniors and students).
2. Corporate Sponsorship and Underwriting: Businesses can sponsor specific programs or underwrite general programming, receiving 20-second on-air underwriting messages. Tax-deductible contribution providing exposure to WDCB's educated and affluent audience.
3. Grants: WDCB receives grant funding, including support from Illinois Arts Council Agency through Illinois Public Broadcasting Grant.
4. Special Events: Revenue from special events including the WDCB Lakeside Concert Series and Jazz Night events.
5. Employee Matching Gifts: Matching gift program where employers double or triple employee donations to WDCB, administered through College of DuPage Foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

WDCB Public Radio is a non-profit public radio station owned and operated by College of DuPage, broadcasting jazz and blues programming from Glen Ellyn, Illinois. The station delivers content via FM radio (90.9FM and 90.7FM), online streaming, native iOS/Android mobile apps, and cable television through CAN TV. Programming features over 75% straight-ahead jazz with additional formats including blues, roots rock, Americana, Celtic, and old-time radio.

Product overview

WDCB Public Radio is a public radio station owned and operated by College of DuPage, broadcasting from Glen Ellyn, Illinois. The station operates a dual-channel FM radio broadcast network (90.9FM and 90.7FM) with a primary format of jazz and blues programming comprising over 75% of its music content. The product portfolio centers on live radio broadcast services supplemented by digital distribution channels including an online streaming platform, native mobile applications for iOS and Android, an on-demand two-week program archive, and a jazz calendar events platform. Key programming products include 'DCB Jazz (extended uninterrupted jazz presentation), specialty programs like The Arts Section, and sponsored live concert events. The station also provides audio through cable television via CAN TV partnership in Chicago.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WDCB FM Radio Broadcast Traditional over-the-air FM radio broadcast service operating at 90.9FM (5,000 watts, Glen Ellyn-Chicago coverage) and 90.7FM (Chicago's West Loop). The station broadcasts jazz, blues, and related genres to the northeastern Illinois market.
• WDCB Online Audio Streaming Live internet radio streaming service available via the WDCB website, allowing listeners worldwide to tune in to WDCB's broadcast in real-time.
• WDCB Mobile App Native mobile application for iOS and Android that allows users to listen to WDCB's live stream, access the two-week program archive, view program schedules and music playlists, and browse the jazz calendar for local events.
• The Arts Section Weekly arts and culture program hosted by Gary Zidek that spotlights creative people, events, and ideas in the Chicago area, featuring theater reviews, live music previews, author interviews, and community arts coverage. Airs Sundays 8-9am on 90.9/90.7 FM and online.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• College of DuPagecoreOthersWDCB is owned and operated by College of DuPage as a service to the residents of Community College District #502. Located on the East Campus of College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL.
• McAninch Arts Center (MAC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerWDCB partners with McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage for the Lakeside Concert Series and other arts programming. Located adjacent to WDCB's broadcast location in Glen Ellyn.
• Jazz ShowcasecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago's premier jazz venue, regular partner for WDCB Night events and programming featuring local and touring jazz artists.
• Green Mill Cocktail LoungecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHistoric Chicago jazz venue, regular partner for WDCB events and programming. One of Chicago's most iconic jazz clubs.
• Winter's Jazz ClubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWDCB business partner and venue for jazz programming and events featuring Chicago jazz artists.
• CAN TVmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWDCB audio is broadcast on cable channel CAN TV42 in Chicago. CAN TV is Chicago's public access television network.
• Illinois Arts Council AgencymajorOthersWDCB receives grant support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency through its administration of the Illinois Public Broadcasting Grant.
• College of DuPage FoundationcoreOthersAll charitable giving and matching gifts for WDCB are processed by the College of DuPage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. Tax ID: 23-7011835.
• Chicago Blues FestivalmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWDCB serves as media sponsor for the annual Chicago Blues Festival celebrating Chicago's rich blues heritage.
• Chicago Jazz FestivalmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWDCB serves as media sponsor for the annual Chicago Jazz Festival.
• Auditorium TheatremajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Chicago performing arts venue business partner for jazz and arts programming.
• City Winery ChicagocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partner venue for jazz and music programming events.
• Epiphany Center for the ArtscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partner venue for jazz programming and events in Chicago.
• FitzGerald's NightclubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBerwyn, IL jazz venue partner for blues and jazz programming.
• RaviniamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerHighland Park, IL outdoor music festival venue partner for jazz programming.
• Chicago Symphony OrchestramajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWDCB partners with CSO for Symphony Center Presents Jazz programming.
• Old Town School of Folk MusiccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago venue business partner for folk and world music programming.
• North Shore Center for the Performing ArtscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSkokie, IL performing arts venue business partner.
• Dominican University Performing Arts CentercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRiver Forest, IL performing arts venue business partner.
• Freedom HallminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPark Forest, IL venue business partner.
• Harris TheatercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago performing arts venue business partner.
• HotTixcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago arts ticketing partner, sponsor of The Arts Section program.
• Elmhurst College Jazz FestivalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWDCB partners with the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival.
• Jazz Institute of ChicagocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit jazz organization partner supporting Chicago jazz community.
• Chicago Jazz OrchestracoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago's professional jazz orchestra, regular WDCB programming partner.
• Chicago SinfoniettaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago orchestra organization partner.
• Orbert Davis' Chicago Jazz PhilharmoniccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWDCB partners with The Real Deal host Orbert Davis' Chicago Jazz Philharmonic.
• Lakeside Pride Music EnsemblesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago music ensemble organization partner.
• South Side Jazz CoalitionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago jazz organization partner supporting South Side jazz community.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• WBGO: WBGO 88.3FM is the leading jazz-format public radio station in the US (Newark/New York metro), operating with a listener-supported model, jazz format, multi-channel distribution (FM + streaming), and corporate underwriting that closely parallels WDCB's structure. As the gold-standard jazz public radio station, it is the most direct comparable for audience, programming, and sponsorship dynamics.
• WNUR-FM: WNUR is Northwestern University's college-licensed radio station in Evanston, IL, featuring significant jazz programming in its schedule. It is comparable to WDCB as a Chicago-area university-licensed station, though WDCB is professional-run and 75%+ jazz while WNUR is student-run and more format-diverse.
• KUVO: KUVO 89.3FM is a jazz, blues, and Latin-format public radio station in Denver, Colorado. Like WDCB, it is listener-supported, community-licensed, jazz-formatted, and multi-channel distributed (FM + streaming), making it a strong mid-sized-market structural comparable.
• KCSM: KCSM 91.1FM is the College of San Mateo's jazz and blues public radio station. It is highly comparable to WDCB as a college-licensed, professional, jazz-focused public radio station with listener-supported funding and streaming distribution.
• WRTI: WRTI is Temple University's public radio station in Philadelphia, broadcasting jazz programming alongside classical. It shares WDCB's exact archetype: university-licensed, professional (not student-run) public radio with a jazz-centric format, listener-supported revenue model, and multi-channel distribution including streaming and mobile apps.
• WFMT: WFMT is Chicago's classical music public radio station, sharing WDCB's home market and core business model (non-commercial, listener-supported, professional programming, FM + streaming distribution). It is comparable on Chicago-market public radio economics and audience profile, even though its classical (vs. jazz) format differs.
• KJazz 88.1: KJazz 88.1FM (Long Beach / Los Angeles) is a public radio station dedicated to jazz and blues programming with a listener-supported model. It is the closest West Coast analog to WDCB in terms of format exclusivity (jazz/blues), underwriting-driven revenue, and dual-channel distribution via FM and online streaming.

Regional players

• WXRT: WXRT 93.1FM is a Chicago commercial alternative-rock radio station. It is comparable to WDCB as a Chicago-market radio brand with multi-channel distribution, but differs in being commercial (advertising-driven) and broader-format, making it an indirect reference point for the local radio advertising market rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• WBEZ: WBEZ is Chicago's flagship NPR member station and a much larger public radio operator. While its format (news/talk) differs from WDCB's jazz focus, it competes for the same Chicago listener-donor pool and advertising underwriters, and operates the same non-commercial, listener-supported model.

Emerging players

• KEXP: KEXP 90.3FM is a Seattle-based non-commercial public radio station with an eclectic music format including jazz, run by the Friends of KEXP. While format-different, it parallels WDCB as a listener-supported, digital-forward public radio station that has scaled streaming listenership nationally via app and online platforms.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WDCBPublicRadio
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WDCBjazz
• Facebookfacebook.com/WDCBjazz
• Instagraminstagram.com/909wdcb
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wdcb-90.9-fm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WDCB Public Radio