670 The Score to simulcast on 104.3 FM signal

Ends 104.3 Jams run after eight years

In news local observers saw coming for years, Audacy announced Wednesday that WSCR-AM will add an FM signal, with the sports talk station simulcasting on 104.3 FM, replacing WBMX’s classic hip-hop format after eight years. Despite the transition, the soon-to-be former 104.3 Jams will retain the WBMX call letters, which had a thirteen-year run at the 102.7 FM frequency from 1975 to 1988 and identified with a generation of Black Chicagoans. 

As a result of the simulcast, WSCR is rebranding as 104.3 The Score beginning on February 2 when the move takes place, while The Score will remain on the 670 AM frequency. No talent or lineup changes are taking place as WSCR is partnering with a sports-betting company for the launch.

It’s the first outright format flip in Chicago radio since Rock 95.5 FM launched in September 2020, replacing country outlet Big 95.5 FM, though WSHE-FM made a format adjustment in May 2024 by shedding ’80s titles and rebranding as Throwbacks 100.3, changing its call letters to WTBC. 

“Chicago fans are the best in the world, and they deserve coverage that matches their passion. Our roster features the best talent in the city with unmatched dedication to delivering the latest sports news and insight,” said Kevin Cassidy, who is Senior Vice President and Market Manager of Audacy Chicago. “We’re excited to expand The Score’s reach through this FM simulcast, bringing our premier sports content to an even wider audience so they can join the conversation and stay connected to their favorite Chicago teams.”

Launched in 1992 on the daytime-only 820 AM signal, The Score was Chicago’s first all-sports talker station, shifting to 1160 AM, and eventually landing on 670 in 2000, replacing the longtime WMAQ-AM. During the last decade, WSCR added Cubs baseball and Bulls basketball to the station.

“We’ve heard from The Score listeners and Chicago sports fans that they want to hear Chicago’s sports leader and Cubs and Bulls play-by-play on FM,” said WSCR Vice President and Brand Manager Mitch Rosen to the Chicago Tribune. “We’re responding to that desire.”

In 2011, then-owner CBS Radio added an FM simulcast of all-news WBBM-AM to its 105.9 FM frequency, which was previously home to WCKG and replaced a failing adult contemporary format. Since then, speculation grew about Audacy adding an FM signal for WSCR, fueled by discussions on social media and message boards. As AM radios are not being considered in newer cars – especially newer and electric models, it makes sense for Audacy to make this move. 

As for 104.3 Jams, it’s the end of the line for a format that was on life support for the last few years. Audiences were surprised when the former WJMK-FM (then home to K-Hits and, before that, Jack FM, as well as a long-running oldies format) flipped to the emerging Classic Hip-Hop/R&B format in November 2017, shortly after Entercom acquired CBS Radio. Showcasing popular Hip-Hop and R&B songs from the 1990s and 2000s, the format gained popularity in several markets, led by Radio One’s former Adult R&B outlets in Houston and Dallas when they flipped in 2014, the latter ousting longtime syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner from his home market. 104.3 Jams beat Contemporary Hip-Hop/R&B WGCI-FM in its first few months of existence, as Ed Lover was the station’s morning personality at the start. 

The Classic Hip-Hop format started running out of steam, even before WJMK flipped. Radio One’s Houston station dropped the format after two years, and the Dallas station returned to Adult R&B (and returned Joyner’s syndicated show to the market until he retired in 2019.) Other launches, such as Audacy’s sister station 94.7 The Block in New York City, have so far earned mediocre ratings. 104.3 Jams started losing ground after Throwback 100.3 added more hip-hop titles to its playlist. 

Plans are to incorporate more Classic Hip-Hop music into B96’s playlist, where many of those songs were first played when they were currents.

During Nielsen’s October PPM survey, The Score finished in a three-way tie for sixth place, while 104.3 Jams was nineteenth, behind Throwbacks and WGCI. 104.3 Jams did better among young demos, passing WGCI last September in the key 18-34 and 25-54s. In December, 104.3 Jams remained in the top ten in those demos. But with Chicago being a passionate sports town (particularly with the Bears’ recent success), and younger music fans continuing to head for the exits from terristial radio, WSCR believed it could generate more revenue and reach a larger audience than it ever could on AM. The question is why this wasn’t done years ago, especially since most major markets (New York, Boston, etc.) have an FM sports station on the dial.