WNIL

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WNIL

City of license	Niles, Michigan
Broadcast area	Daytime Nighttime
Branding	Hometown 1290
Slogan	"The Voice of Niles-Buchanan"
Frequency	1290 kHz
First air date	1956
Format	News/Talk
Power	500 watts (Daytime) 44 watts (Nighttime)
Class	D
Callsign meaning	Niles, Michigan
Owner	Federated Media
Sister stations	WAOR
Website	1290wnil.com

WNIL (Hometown 1290) is an AM radio station located in Niles, Michigan and broadcasting to the Niles-Buchanan region airing a talk radio format. It broadcasts on AM frequency 1290 kHz and is under ownership of Federated Media.

[edit] History

WNIL began its broadcasting activities in 1956 under an unknown format but in 1964, it was notable when Tommy James & the Shondells recorded their hit "Hanky Panky" (it was a summer hit in 1966). In the 1990s, it has dropped its music format in favor of sports radio programming. Shortly in 1999, the sports format is switched to an all-Oldies station from Jones Radio Networks' Good Time Oldies satellite feed. On June 1999, the FCC approved a license transfer from its original owner Niles Broadcasting to Pathfinder Communications (now Federated Media) along with sister station WAOR.

Less than a year later, WNIL changed affiliations to ABC Radio's "Unforgettable Memories" (soft rock) and has been running that feed even throughout the merger with "Stardust" and the name change to Timeless Classics/Timeless Favorites. When 2007 began, local newscasts and talk programs were discontinued, making it an all music station. However, in March 2007, the Timeless radio format is dropped in favor of the now syndicated talk programming.