New York’s own WCBS 880 news radio station will transmit its final broadcast on Aug. 26, closing a chapter encompassing almost 60 years in the city’s history.
Audacy, the company that owns WCBS 880, announced that it signed a Local Marketing Agreement (LMA) with Good Karma Brands (GKB), an ESPN-affiliate broadcasting company that will replace WCBS 880 with ESPN New York.
Audacy will still own the frequency, which will be renamed WHSQ-AM—a change that is pending FCC approval.
Audacy will broadcast its news content exclusively on 1010 [email protected] FM, which it said is the “most-listened-to news radio station in the country and the only 24/7 all-news brand in the New York market.”
Despite this change, the New York Mets—as well as Audacy-produced podcasts—will still air on WCBS 880 and the Audacy app, the company stated.
Chris Oliviero, Audacy’s New York Market president, said shifts in the market have led to new strategies for news broadcasting.
“New York has always been proudly unique in supporting two all-news radio brands, but the news business has gone through significant changes,” said Mr. Oliviero. “The headwinds facing local journalism nationwide made it essential to strategically reimagine how we deliver the news for the most impact.”
WCBS 880 has a history of being a respected radio station where multiple prestigious journalists have worked, Mr. Oliviero said.
“If it happened in New York or the world, you heard about it on WCBS 880,” he said. “Today, 1010 [email protected], equally iconic, moves forward as New York’s only 24/7 all-news station with the best distribution platform, the largest audience, and the most recognized brand in the industry. All-news is a pillar of Audacy and this decision, though difficult, fortifies that leadership position for generations to come.”
Audacy grew 1010 WINS’ news-listening audience in 2022 by launching a simulcast on FM with 1010 [email protected], which now garners up to two million listeners a week, the company said.
“Since the FM launch, 1010 [email protected]’s listenership has grown significantly in numbers and geographic reach, with a distribution platform better suited to go deeper into the surrounding Tri-State suburbs of Long Island, New Jersey, Westchester and Connecticut,” Audacy said.
Audacy will air a commemorative special on 1010 [email protected] and the company’s app and website on Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST to recognize WCBS 880’s contribution to American culture.
“WCBS 880 News: the People, the Moments, and the Events that Shaped our Lives” will be hosted by Bridgitte Quinn, host of Audacy’s Newsline. She will highlight historical clips and interviews significant to the station’s historic run.
