1 of 1- RadioActive
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Could There Be Two More "WABCs?" What The Owner Is Planning
Everyone here certainly knows WABC New York, the #1 talk station in the U.S. Many are also aware that on Saturday night, the station gives up most of its evening shows to return to the glory days of Musicradio 77 with Cousin' Brucie.
So now the owner, a grocery store magnate named John Catsimatidis, is looking at the numbers and is vowing to expand WABC in a whole new direction.
"We’re going to go worldwide,” said Catsimatidis. “I talked to the powers that be in Washington. We’re going to challenge the BBC. We are going to be a news station, in addition to what we are at WABC. And we’re also going to be a music station. But it’s going to be on three different (stations). The BBC has BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, right? We’re going to have WABC one, WABC two, WABC three, and we’re going to do all of the above.”
Exactly how this would work - and whether he's talking HD Radio or actual stations - remains to be seen. Or rather, heard. Stay tuned. Could the days of 77/WABC be back? The answer could come soon.
John Catsimatidis: We’re Expanding 77 WABC to News, Talk, and Music Brands Like the BBC
- RadioAaron
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Re: Could There Be Two More "WABCs?" What The Owner Is Planning
RadioActive wrote:
"[color=#000000][b][i]We’re going to challenge the BBC.
LOL. He is certifiable. WABC has a very small audience, but get an OK share by virtue that they’re all 70+ and listen 24/7. It also has almost no commercials.
Oh, to be a crazy billionaire. Sounds fun.
- Chrisphen
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Re: Could There Be Two More "WABCs?" What The Owner Is Planning
At the risk of sounding political...he is not taking the election of the new NY mayor well. He should seek some kind of treatment for his own well-being.
Edit. What the fuck is 'Barrett Media'?
Last edited by Chrisphen (April 7, 2026 5:46 pm)
- DX
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Re: Could There Be Two More "WABCs?" What The Owner Is Planning
"We’re going to challenge the BBC.
LOL. He is certifiable. WABC has a very small audience, but get an OK share by virtue that they’re all 70+ and listen 24/7. It also has almost no commercials.
Oh, to be a crazy billionaire. Sounds fun.
WABC is eighth in the NYC ratings, the highest of the AM stations and ahead of dozens of FM stations.
- RadioAaron
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Re: Could There Be Two More "WABCs?" What The Owner Is Planning
"We’re going to challenge the BBC.
LOL. He is certifiable. WABC has a very small audience, but get an OK share by virtue that they’re all 70+ and listen 24/7. It also has almost no commercials.
Oh, to be a crazy billionaire. Sounds fun.WABC is eighth in the NYC ratings, the highest of the AM stations and ahead of dozens of FM stations.
In 2+ share, which is meaningless. In terms of number of listeners, it ranks around 20th.
It’s a vanity project.
- Chrisphen
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Re: Could There Be Two More "WABCs?" What The Owner Is Planning
Crazy is crazy. It's mostly removed from wealth. I lived in Yorkville for a few years and it was a gamble on whether it was a homeless bum or an aged debutante with all the help in the world screaming on the street corner.
- mic'em
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Re: Could There Be Two More "WABCs?" What The Owner Is Planning
The afore mentioned Mr Catsimatidis was heard on CBC Radio One's 'The Current' yesterday morning regarding the recent ostrich cull in BC. He will also be appearing on 'The Fifth Estate' in the same context. From what was reported, he and Dr Oz took the matter up with President Trump. Obviously nothing became of it and the 300 birds were destroyed.
Last edited by mic'em (April 10, 2026 6:21 am)
- DX
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Re: Could There Be Two More "WABCs?" What The Owner Is Planning
The afore mentioned Mr Catsimatidis was heard on CBC Radio One's 'The Current' yesterday morning regarding the recent ostrich cull in BC. He will also be appearing on 'The Fifth Estate' in the same context. From what was reported, he and Dr Oz take the matter up with President Trump. Obviously nothing became of it and the 300 birds were destroyed.
What none of the wet ends protesting the cull seemed to have ever acknowledged is that that is an ostrich FARM. They weren't being raised as pets, or because they look cute, they were going to be destroyed anyway for their meat and other products. Or totally annihilated, as some might say.
- tdotwriter
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Re: Could There Be Two More "WABCs?" What The Owner Is Planning
As a fan of the station myself, all I can say at this point is that I just don't quite know this would work, and that's probably be the idea. They obviously don't want to turn any competitors or entities in other markets on to whatever it is they're cooking up.
I'm not a naysayer and I'm determined not to be a SPERM (Self Proclaimed Expert in Radio and Music or expert in PrograMming), so I don't deny that there's some chance of them building WABC into an iconic broader-than-local brand in some capacity and on some scale, though I do feel that comparisons to the BBC's broadcast radio operations are kind of a stretch at this point, especially since we here in North America lack a technical means of ultra-comprehensive, long distance non-internet radio broadcasting other than SiriusXM satellite radio. However, realistically an increased emphasis on streaming could be part of the plan. That's only logical.
Last edited by tdotwriter (April 10, 2026 8:36 am)