Black Information Network launches at south suburban radio station
iHeartMedia’s news network targeting African-Americans get full-time signal on Peotone station
The Black Information Network has landed its first, full-time outlet in the Chicago area.
Birach Broadcasting’s WMFN-AM (640) has inked a deal to carry BIN on a full-time basis. The flip came last Thursday, replacing a Spanish-language Regional Mexican format. WMFN is licensed to south suburban Peotone, a city 46 miles south of downtown Chicago.
“BIN: Black Information Network celebrated its second anniversary on June 30th, and the launch of Chicago’s 640 AM is a major milestone for the network,” said Tony Coles, President of BIN: Black Information Network. “BIN brings Chicago the most trusted full-time news network for both local and national news by and for the Black community, and we’re looking forward to the network’s impact in the community for years to come.”
“The launch of Chicago’s BIN 640 AM represents our continued commitment to inform, empower and impact the local Black community”, said Matt Scarano, President for iHeartMedia Chicago’s Region. “BIN 640 AM is a tremendous complement to iHeartMedia Chicago’s collection of station brands and represents a significant moment for our community.”
BIN was launched in June 2020, a month after the death of George Floyd, which pawned protests across the country. At the time of launch, BIN was billed as “The first and only 24/7 national and local all news audio service dedicated to providing an objective, accurate and trusted source of continual news coverage with a Black voice and perspective.”
BIN is also available as a 24/7 stream on iHeartMedia’s app and was available on the HD-2 channel of WVAZ-FM.
If Peotone is familiar to you, the area around the town located in Will County has been discussed as a site for a third Chicago area airport over the last 30 years as south suburban leaders have been pushing for one to spur economic development in Will and southern Cook County. The new radio station is intended to reach African-Americans in the south suburbs, who make up a vast majority of the area’s residents, according to the 2020 Census although the city where WMFN is licensed remains primarily white.
To mark the occasion, on Monday night, the lights on the Willis (Sears) Tower will be lit up in red and green, the primary colors of the Black Information Network.
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