Cumulus Media has acquired the intellectual property and trademarks of “Q101” Chicago from Matt Dubiel’s Broadcast Barter Radio Networks and will restore the to brand to Alternative 101.1 WKQX Chicago.
Broadcast Barter Radio Networks had acquired the Q101 IP when Merlin Media purchased WKQX to launch its short-lived “FM News” brand in 2011. They kept the brand going as a webcaster and selling merchandise with the station’s logo.
The Alternative format relaunched on-air first as “Q87.7” in May 2012 and then made its way back to 101.1 in January 2014. Because BBRN retained the “Q101” IP and trademark, the station has been branded as “101.1 WKQX” since then.
Now the two will become one again. Vice President/Market Manager Marv Nyren told Robert Feder it took four years to reach a deal with Dubiel to reacquire the rights to the brand.
No word yet on when the rebranding will take effect.