WDCB Public Radio
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersGlen Ellyn, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
WDCB Public Radio firmographics
Firmographics- 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
WDCB Public Radio industry classification
Industry- 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
Where WDCB Public Radio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glen Ellyn
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
WDCB Public Radio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- 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).
- 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.
- Grants: WDCB receives grant funding, including support from Illinois Arts Council Agency through Illinois Public Broadcasting Grant.
- Special Events: Revenue from special events including the WDCB Lakeside Concert Series and Jazz Night events.
- Employee Matching Gifts: Matching gift program where employers double or triple employee donations to WDCB, administered through College of DuPage Foundation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Basic Listener Support - $60/year |
| Subscription | Monthly | Encore Club - Monthly Sustaining Donations |
| Other | Annual | Corporate Sponsorship/Underwriting |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
WDCB Public Radio product offering
Product offeringCore 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.
Companies that use WDCB Public Radio
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
WDCB Public Radio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
WDCB Public Radio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
29 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- College of DuPagecoreWDCB 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)coreWDCB 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 ShowcasecoreChicago's premier jazz venue, regular partner for WDCB Night events and programming featuring local and touring jazz artists.
- Green Mill Cocktail LoungecoreHistoric Chicago jazz venue, regular partner for WDCB events and programming. One of Chicago's most iconic jazz clubs.
- Winter's Jazz ClubcoreWDCB business partner and venue for jazz programming and events featuring Chicago jazz artists.
- CAN TVmajorWDCB audio is broadcast on cable channel CAN TV42 in Chicago. CAN TV is Chicago's public access television network.
- Illinois Arts Council AgencymajorWDCB receives grant support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency through its administration of the Illinois Public Broadcasting Grant.
- College of DuPage FoundationcoreAll 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 FestivalmajorWDCB serves as media sponsor for the annual Chicago Blues Festival celebrating Chicago's rich blues heritage.
- Chicago Jazz FestivalmajorWDCB serves as media sponsor for the annual Chicago Jazz Festival.
- Auditorium TheatremajorMajor Chicago performing arts venue business partner for jazz and arts programming.
- City Winery ChicagocoreBusiness partner venue for jazz and music programming events.
- Epiphany Center for the ArtscoreBusiness partner venue for jazz programming and events in Chicago.
- FitzGerald's NightclubcoreBerwyn, IL jazz venue partner for blues and jazz programming.
- RaviniamajorHighland Park, IL outdoor music festival venue partner for jazz programming.
- Chicago Symphony OrchestramajorWDCB partners with CSO for Symphony Center Presents Jazz programming.
- Old Town School of Folk MusiccoreChicago venue business partner for folk and world music programming.
- North Shore Center for the Performing ArtscoreSkokie, IL performing arts venue business partner.
- Dominican University Performing Arts CentercoreRiver Forest, IL performing arts venue business partner.
- Freedom HallminorPark Forest, IL venue business partner.
- Harris TheatercoreChicago performing arts venue business partner.
- HotTixcoreChicago arts ticketing partner, sponsor of The Arts Section program.
- Elmhurst College Jazz FestivalcoreWDCB partners with the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival.
- Jazz Institute of ChicagocoreNon-profit jazz organization partner supporting Chicago jazz community.
- Chicago Jazz OrchestracoreChicago's professional jazz orchestra, regular WDCB programming partner.
- Chicago SinfoniettaminorChicago orchestra organization partner.
- Orbert Davis' Chicago Jazz PhilharmoniccoreWDCB partners with The Real Deal host Orbert Davis' Chicago Jazz Philharmonic.
- Lakeside Pride Music EnsemblesminorChicago music ensemble organization partner.
- South Side Jazz CoalitionminorChicago jazz organization partner supporting South Side jazz community.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
WDCB Public Radio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
WDCB Public Radio social profiles
Digital presenceWDCB Public Radio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WDCB Public Radio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
WDCB Public Radio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WDCB Public Radio M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about WDCB Public Radio
What does WDCB Public Radio do?
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.
Is WDCB Public Radio a public or private company?
WDCB Public Radio is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was WDCB Public Radio founded?
WDCB Public Radio was founded in 1977. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is WDCB Public Radio based?
WDCB Public Radio is headquartered in Glen Ellyn, United States, in the North America region.
How does WDCB Public Radio make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Listener Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorship and Underwriting, grants, special Events and employee Matching Gifts.
Who are WDCB Public Radio's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are WBGO, WNUR-FM, KUVO, KCSM, WRTI, WFMT and KJazz 88.1. WXRT is listed as a regional player. WBEZ is listed as a broad incumbent. KEXP is listed as an emerging player.
Does WDCB Public Radio have an API?
No public API is recorded for WDCB Public Radio.
What industry is WDCB Public Radio in?
WDCB Public Radio's product category is Public Radio Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABACAH, University/Educational Local Stations (College Radio, Campus TV), with a secondary code of MPAIAEAB, Public/Noncommercial Radio Broadcasting (NPR, Community, Campus). Its NAICS code is 51611 and its SIC code is 4832.