A New Sound For an Iconic Brand

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Thanks to WCBS Newsradio Director of News and Programming Tim Scheld for sharing this very cool video about the recent rebrand of one of radio’s most legendary sets of call letters. WCBS Newsradio 880 has introduced a new visual image and a revamped on-air sound. In the video you’ll see the orchestra sitting in the studio, getting the feel of the station and creating the station’s new sound.

Just after 5 a.m. Wednesday, the station unveiled its new score, built around a news “anthem” fashioned by a team from world-renowned music production firm Man Made Music. Founder and composer Joel Beckerman says he jumped at the chance to work with the team at Newsradio 880. “The fact that you guys have this incredible heritage — to me that’s always what WCBS has stood for. We really wanted to get it right. It was incredibly important for us to get it right.”

Scheld says the new look and feel are part of the radio station’s strategy to build a brand for the next 50 years. “2017 was all about celebrating the brand that is WCBS Newsradio 880 and 2018 was all about rethinking the brand.” APD Alex Silverman said, “We didn’t want the traditional, in-your-face, self-important news music. We wanted a sound that was going to communicate that we are a trusted friend.” And what WCBS executives say they got was an anthem filled with energy, percussion, and the passion with which the news is delivered on New York’s iconic news radio station.

WCBS Newsradio 880 was honored with the 2017 Marconi Award from the National Association of Broadcasters as “Legendary Station of the Year.” In 2018 WCBS was honored with two National Edward R. Murrow Awards from the RTDNA for Best News Series and Best Newscast. The station has been delivering news and information to New Yorkers for over 50 years.

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