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Advertise & Broadcast With WBGX
Gospel Radio Station
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Commercial advertising on the gospel radio station
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Church and ministry broadcasts
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Sponsored programming
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Artist and music promotion
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Event promotion
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Interviews and special features
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Community announcements
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Digital and live-video advertising
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Program airtime and broadcast partnerships
Take your business, ministry, event, music, or message to a growing audience through WBGX – The Big Gospel Xpress.
We offer customized opportunities for:
Every advertising and broadcasting package is customized based on your goals, schedule, program length, frequency, and promotional needs.
Pricing is available by consultation only.
Serious inquiries may contact:
Paris King
COO & Creative Director
WBGX – The Big Gospel Xpress
Call or Text: (773) 849-3394
All advertising, sponsorship, programming, and broadcast agreements must be approved directly by Paris King.
Ready to Reach a Bigger Audience?
Contact us today to discuss how WBGX can help promote your business, expand your ministry, introduce your music, or bring your program to the GFM+ audience.
Call (773) 849-3394 to get started.
20yrs of WBGX
2003: A New Beginning
One of the biggest moments in station history occurred in October 2003.
Great Lakes Radio Purchases the Station
Great Lakes Radio purchased WBEE for approximately:
$2.2 million
from longtime owner Charles Sherrell.
Immediately afterward:
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Calls changed to WBGX
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New branding:
The Big Gospel Xpress
The new call letters stood for:
Big Gospel Xpress
A new building was purchased at:
5956 South Michigan Avenue near 60th Street in Chicago.
Construction began in late 2003.
The new studios officially opened in May 2004.
The Gospel 1570 Era
Beginning in 2003, WBGX adopted a full-time mix of:
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Traditional Gospel
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Contemporary Gospel
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Quartet Gospel
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Blues programming
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Church services
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Religious talk
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Community affairs
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Local ministries
The station became known as:
Chicago's Big Gospel Xpress
Its programming also expanded online through streaming services, extending its audience beyond the Chicago area.
Community Voice
Beyond music, WBGX served as an important platform for:
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Churches
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Local ministries
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Small businesses
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Community organizations
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African-American civic leaders
The station earned a reputation for giving voices to organizations often overlooked by mainstream media.
2020 Expansion into Talk Programming
In 2020, former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger and Chicago political commentator Maze Jackson joined WBGX for a morning program after departing WVON. Their arrival expanded WBGX's public affairs and talk programming while maintaining its gospel identity.
Going Silent and Shutting Down
According to FCC records, WBGX later ceased all broadcasting and after the station went off the air December 25, 2025, with financing cited as the reason.
The WBGX Legacy Continues (2026)
In the early summer of 2026, a new chapter in the station's history began.
Chicago radio legend and former WBGX personality PJ Willis and his son, Kelvin "Paris King" Johnson, owner of iNetworks Communications Inc., officially obtained the United States trademarks for:
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WBGX
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Gospel Radio 1570
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WBGX The Big Gospel Xpress
The registered owner is Kelvin Johnson for the
"WBGX THE BIG GOSPEL XPRESS" marks.
Rather than simply reviving a radio station, the vision is to evolve the WBGX brand into a modern multimedia platform powered by GFM+ (Grown Folks Music) while honoring its historic identity.
Official Relaunch
July 19, 2026
WBGX officially relaunches as an independent digital audio and video radio network.
The station streams worldwide at:
while preserving the heritage that made WBGX one of Chicago's most recognized Gospel brands.
For the first time in WBGX's history, listeners will also be able to watch the station.
The relaunch introduces:
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Live video broadcasts
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Video radio programming
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Live church service streaming
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Original video content
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On-demand programming
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Mobile-first listening and viewing
These features represent the evolution of WBGX from a traditional AM radio station into a next-generation digital broadcast network.
Official WBGX Mobile App
The official WBGX App is scheduled for release in September 2026.
The app will allow audiences to:
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Listen live
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Watch live studio broadcasts
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Watch church services in video
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View exclusive programming
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Access podcasts
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Receive station updates
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Connect with ministries and community organizations
The 2026 relaunch represents more than the return of a historic call sign.
It is the continuation of a Chicago broadcasting legacy that began in 1955—reimagined for a new generation through streaming, mobile technology, and video broadcasting.
Powered by GFM+ (Grown Folks Music), the new WBGX honors its rich past while embracing the future of multimedia broadcasting, preserving the legacy of WBGX while ushering in its next evolution.
WBGX 1570 AM is one of Chicago's longest-running African American-oriented AM radio stations. Since signing on in 1955, it has served the Chicago metropolitan area through several different formats—including R&B, jazz, business news, talk, blues, and gospel—while becoming an important voice in Chicago's Black community. The station's current slogan, "Chicago's Big Gospel Xpress," reflects its long-standing identity as Chicago's leading gospel broadcaster.
Reaching Chicago
At WBGX The Big Gospel Xpress, our heart beats for Chicago. We believe that radio is more than just sound—it is a vessel for ministry that extends far beyond the airwaves and into the streets of our vibrant city.
Through our live ministries and active community service, we provide a platform for local churches and outreach programs to share their mission. Every broadcast is a seed planted in faith, aiming to uplift and nourish the spirits of our listeners.
Whether it is through local events or spiritual guidance, we are committed to being a beacon of hope and a source of strength for the community we call home. We are here for you, because we are part of you.