The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Subtle Tribute: The Hidden History In WCBS-AM's Dying Moments

**Posted by RadioActive** August 26, 2024 8:50 am

In listening to the ending of WCBS again, I suddenly realized a certain bit of radio's legacy. It was very subtle. But it was definitely there.

In the few seconds before he says the call letters for the last time, you hear a snippet of John Lennon's "Imagine."

Why was that there on an all news station that never played music? It was a tip of the cap to history. When WABC stopped playing music and went talk, the very last song they played as a Top 40 format was "Imagine." Several years later, when WNBC disappeared forever from the airwaves in NYC, the final announcer on the final music show referred to 770's last song and played the same tune not long before the station turned into The Fan.

And on Sunday night, they paid homage to the tradition, playing a small bit of the classic song right before WCBS fell silent.

For whatever reason, it seems every time a radio station changes format or leaves the air in the Big Apple, that's become the de facto sign-off tune.

What a nice touch and a nod to history. Even if not everybody would get it.

**Posted by Ale Ont** August 26, 2024 8:54 am

That is truly in interesting fact. RadioActive, your attention to detail is exemplary.

**Posted by Shorty Wave** August 26, 2024 9:04 am

Wow, thanks for that RA, you’re on the ball!

**Posted by Dale Patterson** August 26, 2024 12:38 pm

Nice tribute to what was the gold standard of radio news stations. Too bad CHML - another classy station with nearly a century of history - didn't get similar treatment at the end. Goodbye to 57 years of great news radio at WCBS-AM.

**Posted by RadioActive** August 26, 2024 12:57 pm

Dale Patterson wrote:
Nice tribute to what was the gold standard of radio news stations. Too bad CHML - another classy station with nearly a century of history - didn't get similar treatment at the end. Goodbye to 57 years of great news radio at WCBS-AM.

100% agree. They may be a lousy radio company, but full credit to Audacy for giving this iconic station the chance to say goodbye. That was a class act and the on-air types did themselves proud, without rancor or blame. You don't see that very often any more. Blows Corus' response right out of the water.

I was up very late Sunday night-Monday morning making sure I heard this historic moment. I'm really glad I did.

**Posted by Paul Jeffries** August 26, 2024 2:10 pm

RadioActive wrote:
Dale Patterson wrote:
Nice tribute to what was the gold standard of radio news stations. Too bad CHML - another classy station with nearly a century of history - didn't get similar treatment at the end. Goodbye to 57 years of great news radio at WCBS-AM.
100% agree. They may be a lousy radio company, but full credit to Audacy for giving this iconic station the chance to say goodbye. That was a class act and the on-air types did themselves proud, without rancor or blame. You don't see that very often any more. Blows Corus' response right out of the water.

Yeah, considering that Corus' decision to pull the plug on CHML was likely a long time coming, they definitely could've come up with a better send off than that (if you can even call what they did a "send off"). You have to wonder what was the straw that broke the camel's back that made Corus execs say, "Okay, it's time to pull the plug now" so abruptly at 10:00 am that fateful morning? Why not at least let the station play out until the end of the day?

It's not like the guys in their ivory towers woke up that morning and came to the startling realization of, "Oh, shit, we're losing money, aren't we? Better put a stop to that!"

At least I presume that's not how that played out.

PJ

**Posted by RadioActive** August 26, 2024 2:24 pm

And to have some of the afternoon employees find out they were fired on social media is simply unconscionable. A Corus of boos!

**Posted by paterson1** August 26, 2024 2:39 pm

We are overlooking one big difference however. CHML closed down completely. 880 WCBS was rebranded as another station, WHSQ-AM ESPN radio, and the frequency is still in use. 900 CHML is not.

The WCBS situation was closer to when CHUM moved from Top 40 to all sports. CHUM had a month long goodbye when they finally got out of playing music. When a station closes down and goes off the air and not replaced by anything is not the same thing.

That is not to say that the CHML closing was handled well. It wasn't, and out of respect for the audience, staff and the station itself, there should have been a more proper send off, even for a few hours after the announcement. Even with a taped message or good bye that could have run more than once.

It has been surprising the amount of press on this story. The Hamilton Spectator has done a good job reflecting on CHML and it's history in Hamilton and area. Hometown radio is no more in that city.

**Posted by RadioAaron** August 26, 2024 2:57 pm

paterson1 wrote:
We are overlooking one big difference however. CHML closed down completely. 880 WCBS was rebranded as another station, WHSQ-AM ESPN radio, and the frequency is still in use. 900 CHML is not.

The WCBS situation was closer to when CHUM moved from Top 40 to all sports. CHUM had a month long goodbye when they finally got out of playing music. When a station closes down and goes off the air and not replaced by anything is not the same thing.

Kinda, 880AM is being leased out to another company, so this switch also has a lot in common with a station shutting down.

**Posted by RadioActive** August 26, 2024 4:40 pm

With all the craziness surrounding the end of WCBS and the beginning of 880 as all sports, I wondered what would become of 1050 ESPN, where the sports network originally resided, as well as on FM. According to Barrett Sports Media, the New York feed will continue on that AM outlet, as well.

Meanwhile, the 98.7 frequency will end the simulcast broadcasts on Friday. That means that for this week, at least, three separate stations in the biggest market on the planet are all playing the exact same thing.

What a waste.

What happens to the valuable FM real estate remains to be seen.

**Posted by RadioActive** September 1, 2024 10:24 am

The mystery of what will wind up on 98.7 FM in New York with the change to sports on 880 seems to have been solved, at least for now.

Well, partially. What in the world does "TJ" stand for?

‘TJ’ Begins Stunting on Emmis’ 98.7 NYC FM Following ESPN Exit

**Posted by RadioAaron** September 1, 2024 10:47 am

RadioActive wrote:
Well, partially. What in the world does "TJ" stand for?

"The TJ Show" is a syndicated morning show that will air on the station.

**Posted by RadioActive** September 1, 2024 2:10 pm

RadioAaron wrote:
RadioActive wrote:
Well, partially. What in the world does "TJ" stand for?
"The TJ Show" is a syndicated morning show that will air on the station.

Have to admit I've never heard of it, but here's the website:

https://thetjshow.com/radio-show/

**Posted by RadioActive** October 8, 2024 7:03 am

RadioActive wrote:
The mystery of what will wind up on 98.7 FM in New York with the change to sports on 880 seems to have been solved, at least for now.

‘TJ’ Begins Stunting on Emmis’ 98.7 NYC FM Following ESPN Exit

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