THIS is very sad. Although I have not been to NY in ages, I counted on News radio 88 to be the best and most reliable source of news and information in New York.  

Bit of a self-inflicted wound on Audacy's part by moving WINS to FM. Most expected that to work, but maybe not as much or as quickly as it did.

Very sad to hear. In those pre-Internet days, it was WCBS I listened to until 3 in the morning the night John Lennon was killed in New York City. At least the call letters will continue on radio via WCBS-FM. But I'm not sure after 57 years of news, I'll ever be able to get used to hearing it ID'd as WHSQ.

So what happens to 1050 and 98.7, the current FM outlet for ESPN? 

At least they're paying tribute to 880's five decades as an all news station before the end comes on August 31st.

"WCBS will host a special edition of “Newsline” hosted by Brigitte Quinn on Thursday, August 22 to pay tribute to the history of the station. “WCBS 880 News: The People, the Moments, and the Events that Shaped our Lives” will air from 10am to 1pm with interviews and historical clips."

As most here know all too well, many stations never get a chance to say goodbye to their audience. I'm glad they're at least doing this. 

As sad as I feel to hear about the end of a legacy brand, it never did make much sense to have two all news stations in the same market, owned by the same company, essentially competing against themselves. 

Radiowiz wrote:

RadioActive wrote:

As sad as I feel to hear about the end of a legacy brand, it never did make much sense to have two all news stations in the same market, owned by the same company, essentially competing against themselves. 

I think I missed an important point. Does this mean simply that WINS is cheaper to run? 
 

I don't know, but the two stations' ratings aren't even close. WINS is actually now a little more expensive to run as there were duplicate staff.

Sad indeed. This is the station where I discovered the art of mediumwave (AM band) DXing at the age of 13 circa early 2009. This basically leaves the nighttime AM dial with at least two class A blowtorch ESPN stations, the other one I can think of being WCKY 1530 in Cincinnati, another regular "visitor" for me. I also can't help but feel for people out there without sufficient and reliable internet service and/or technical inclination/willingness to use modern streaming platforms to get their news and information, and there's bound to be quite a number of them. This change will mean one less news outlet through AM radio for them. The other sad part of this story is that the analog FM simulcast for 1010 WINS at 92.3 came at the expense of the last revival of "K-rock" and its modern alternative rock format in the city.

mace wrote:

RadioAaron wrote:

Bit of a self-inflicted wound on Audacy's part by moving WINS to FM. Most expected that to work, but maybe not as much or as quickly as it did.

WINS still operates on 1010. Their setup on 92.3 is similar to Chicago's WBBM on 780/105.9.

AND you can add LA's KNX on 1070/97.1.
 

W-C-B-S is the station I listen to every night before going to sleep.  It is was happening in the world W-C-B-S
had it.
I can't get WINS as C-F-R-B is the same frequency.  I may switch to W-B-Z.

Did you know it once had the call letters "WABC?"

A history of WCBS 880 AM: A timeline from how it started to today

mace wrote:

When WCBS adopted its all news format in August 1967, I just assumed it was 24/7. I was not aware that the station still played music after midnight and carried Arthur Godfrey's successful variety show until 1972.

1010 WINS had gone all-news two years earlier and saw some early success, so I guess WCBS's initial plan was to lean further into their news image

RadioActive wrote:

He says he's not a narcissist, yet he's taking credit for an entire station's format change. What a classy guy. 

Sid Rosenberg: My Ratings Success on 77 WABC Killed Any Chance WCBS Newsradio 880 Had of Continuing

Has he made WABC great again?

I always thought 880 was a slightly less feeble version of 680 News.

From Dale Patterson:

Some pretty incredible stuff here.

The WCBS All News 88 Appreciation Site

As is often the case nowadays when an iconic radio station reaches a milestone or goes silent its true heritage is all but forgotten. WCBS was the flagship Eastern station of the CBS Radio network  During WWII it carried the renowned voices of Edward R Murrow's CBS news team with detailed accounts of the latest war news.  Listeners in the eastern half of North America relied on its powerful signal to hear such popular shows as Jack Benny, Amos n Andy. Bergen & McCarthy, Lux Theatre and of course Orison Welles' War of the World.  CBS Radio and later CBS-TV became the most trusted network for news coverage. This is truly a sad loss of an iconic clear channel frequency,  Thank you
William Paley for creating the network & this station.

Legendary New York sports writer Phil Mushnick weighs in on the demise of one of his favourite stations. He certainly won't be listening to the new ESPN version.

"ESPN-NY is loaded with dull, dreary redundant shows all conspicuously committed to promoting ESPN/Disney goods and on-air personnel, plus daily irrelevant takes on Aaron Rodgers.

Forced laughter, personal insecurities, personal vendettas and childish “guy/sex” talk are staples that don’t create lasting attachments — as opposed to thoughtful, independent and personable sports talk."

At a time when radio is on the decline (and moves like this only hasten it), it's remarkable to see how many people loved and depended on this station. It shows the medium can still be valuable when it's done right - and worthless when it's treated like a loaf of bread on sale on a supermarket shelf.

By the way, love the WCBS tombstone on the article page. Nice work, N.Y. Post art department. 

ESPN takeover sadly buries old, reliable WCBS News Radio 880