Another era is coming to an end as WCBS 880 AM News Radio will cease its programming at the end of the month, nearly six decades after it first went on the air on August 28, 1967. This is a shocking development for someone who grew up listening to this station in my old hometown of New York City. What impressed me was the 50,000 watt signal that gave me crystal clear reception on my car radio at night, allowing me to catch up on the headlines when I was driving outside of the core reception area.

Parent company Audacy is based in Philadelphia and owns more than 230 radio stations across the U.S. Its brands include WCBS, WFAN and WINS in New York, and Sports Radio 94 WIP and KYW News Radio in Philadelphia.

As part of a new deal, the 880 AM signal was leased to ESPN New York, which has been owned by Good Karma Brands since last summer. The current station, which airs an all-sports format, is located at 98.7 FM as its future is uncertain. Unfortunately, the WCBS-AM call letters will officially be retired as the station will adopt a new identity: WSHQ-AM, pending FCC approval.

(Photo image of WCBS-AM studio with Boy Scouts courtesy of Wayne Cabot Archives)

The New York Times reported that a three-year lease would take effect on August 26. It is unknown what will become of the great talents who graced these airwaves, including Wayne Cabot, Paul Murnane, Steve Scott, LeVon Putney, Anita Bonita and a workforce committed to delivering an excellent product to the tri-state region that includes New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

(Photo of control room panel 1010 WINS courtesy of CBS News)

The announcement means that 1010 WINS, also owned by Audacy, will remain the last all-news station in New York. They also have a frequency on 92.3 on the FM band, which improved their reach since that station adopted an all-news format after abandoning Top 40 music in April 1965.

Now that the frequency 880 AM in “the wonderful world of athletics”, They will continue to be the flagship station for Mets broadcasts. Yankee games will be broadcast on WFAN 660 AM and 101.9 FM.

Chris Oliviero, President of Audacy’s New York Market, announced the bittersweet news in a recent press release:

“New York has always been proud to support two all-news stations, but the news business has undergone significant change. The headwinds facing local journalism across the country made it imperative to strategically reimagine how we deliver the news to have the greatest impact. WCBS 880 was one of the most respected radio stations in history, its legacy cemented by the hundreds of world-class journalists on the radio and in private who brought it to life over the decades. If it happened in New York or the world, you heard it on WCBS 880. Today, 1010 WINS and 92.3FM, equally iconic, are New York’s only 24/7 all-news stations with the best distribution platform, largest audience and most recognized brand in the industry. All-news is a pillar of Audacy, and this decision, while difficult, reinforces that leadership position for generations to come.”

Conclusion: A piece of history will soon be leaving the New York market. The station that once broadcast a pure news format has now become the top story of the present. In a word: SAD!

(Some information in this article comes courtesy of our sister station in Trenton, New Jersey https://nj1015.com/new-york-losing-longtime-news-radio-station-cbs-880/ and https://www.audacy.com/wcbs880/news/local/wcbs-880-to-end-all-news-format-after-nearly-60-years)

Classic throwback: WCBS radio reporter and future 60 Minutes co-host Ed Bradley is pictured on October 12, 1968. (Photo credit: CBS via Getty Images)