Owned by Broadcast Barter Radio Networks, the station streamed a modern rock format promoted as a "continuation" of "Q101," the intellectual property and related trademarks of Chicago-licensed terrestrial radio station WKQX (101.1 FM) between 1992 and 2011 (divested from then-station owner Emmis Communications in July 2011).

[1][2] That July 14, the day before Merlin was to take over both stations via a local marketing agreement, Emmis divested the intellectual property of "Q101" – the name, history from 1992 to 2011, logos, social media profiles, trademarks and domain name – to Broadcast Barter Radio Networks, headed by Matt Dubiel and Mike Noonan.

[7] After a month-long simulcast period with WKQX-LP with oblique "101.1 FM" branding, WKQX was relaunched as "101WKQX" on February 17, 2014,[8][9] with no connection to "Q101 Chicago" and would not use the "Q101" moniker.

[10][11] On April 18, 2022, current WKQX owner Cumulus Media announced it had acquired all trademarks and IP relating to Q101 Chicago, including ownership of the stream, and would be re-placing the brand back onto the 101.1 frequency shortly thereafter.

Cumulus Chicago Vice President/Market Manager Marv Nyren reported to Daily Herald journalist Robert Feder that discussions had been ongoing for over four years to reach a deal with Dubiel to reacquire the rights to the brand.