Journalism ‘Headwinds’ To End News Format On NYC’s WCBS 880

By
Radio Ink
-
110

After more than a half-century of serving New York City with all-News programming and information, 880 WCBS-AM will be leaving the format as Audacy hands the heritage station to Craig Karmazin’s Good Karma Brands under a Local Marketing Agreement.

Audacy New York Market President Chris Oliviero said, “New York has always been proudly unique in supporting two all-news radio brands, but the news business has gone through significant changes. The headwinds facing local journalism nationwide made it essential to strategically reimagine how we deliver the news for the most impact.”

Effective August 26, Good Karma will take over the programming responsibilities, transitioning the station to ESPN New York and moving away from the current WCBS all-news format. While Audacy will maintain ownership of the frequency, it is seeking FCC approval to leave the historic call letters and rebrand the station as WHSQ-AM.

Audacy plans to concentrate its News efforts in the market on 1010 WINS-AM. The station has been focusing on growth after branding itself “1010 [email protected] FM” using its FM simulcast in October 2022.

Good Karma also owns WEPN-AM in the market, which carries ESPN New York. The move comes as Good Karma ends its LMA with Emmis Corporation for 98.7 on the FM dial in NYC, which was due to conclude by August 31 as Emmis plans to sell the signal.

Maybe most importantly for Good Karma under the agreement is the continuation of New York Mets broadcasts on 880 AM. While the broadcast and sales rights are still retained by Audacy, Karmazin had previously sought out a Major League Baseball broadcast deal for WEPN which never came to fruition. Audacy New York will also retain Mets game audio streaming via the Audacy app.

To commemorate the legacy of WCBS 880, a special live broadcast, WCBS 880 News: The People, the Moments, and the Events that Shaped our Lives, featuring interviews and historical clips celebrating the station’s impact.

Oliviero added, “If it happened in New York or the world, you heard about it on WCBS 880. Today, 1010 [email protected], equally iconic, moves forward as New York’s only 24/7 all-news station with the best distribution platform, the largest audience and the most recognized brand in the industry. All-news is a pillar of Audacy, and this decision, though difficult, fortifies that leadership position for generations to come.”

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

110 COMMENTS

  2. I am devasted and sad of Audacy’s decision to retire WCBS Newsradio 880. It has been a staple in my life for over thirty years. I was always able to get accurate breaking news from a staff that was extremely talented. Please, someone come to the rescue and bring it back to its listeners..

  3. I agree with all the comments here. I’ve been listening to news 88 for almost 50 years. They’re the highest quality news outlet in the country! 1010 wins by comparison is pure garbage. From a pure financial perspective, their owners should realize that their listeners control a huge amount of wealth which should, if properly managed, translate into a tremendous amount of advertising revenue. Shutting down news 88 is a huge corporate mistake. The decision makers responsible for this change should be immediately discharged!

  4. Just listened to the 10am to 1pm WCBS 880 retrospective which was truly great. Everyone who was speaking about the station is a class act. Their memories are touching and I recall many of the retired names who came on the air to share their stories. Still hard for me to believe that Audacy sold out WCBS 880 for another useless sports radio station. Enough already with sports radio. If there’s any chance of saving WCBS 880 please step up some billionaire and buy it right now. It’s the diamond of radio and well worth the investment.

    • George Soros recently positioned his foundation to become Audacy’s majority shareholder. Wonder if he had any input on this.

  6. I too express the sentiments of the comments here. I’ve listened to WCBS 880 for many decades. I could turn on the station anytime during the day and get complete news, sports and weather. That was especially true when I was working. I greatly depended on WCBS radio for news and weather, before I stepped out of door. No other news station have wide range, in depth, local, national and international news coverage. I have to wonder if this was Audacy’s plan all along? Instead of being sad about the demised of our beloved radio station, can we do anything to save our news station ? There is power in numbers ! In large numbers, can we as listeners protest this outrageous decision and save WCBS 880 radio?

    • Part of the problem is that none of the local politicians have even made a statement. They don’t seem to care.
      You can send them emails, leave messages, like I’ve done. If thousands of people did this, it would at least inconvenience them.

  7. This is among the greatest losses in radio history. I am a former WOR employee and was a devoted WCBS-880 listener. The way this station presented the news far outpaced any other. With all due respect, WINS never was and never will be WCBS. Just one more casualty of out of control media consolidation.

    • I totally agree. 1010 WINS is total garbage compared to CBS880. You can listen for their 22 minutes and get maybe a few shreds of news, fluff, and plenty of commercials.

      An unbelievable situation. None of the New York politicians seem to care, which is very sad.

  8. Even competitors agree this is a bad decision not only for the listeners but the broadcast industry as a whole. To put in perspective, I have worked on air for many broadcast outlets, mostly in New York over my 57-year career, including WNBC, WCBS-FM WWDJ, WYNY, WOR, WNWS, United Stations, Windstar, SFX, SJS, Pro-Media, Westwood one, Sirius XM and three decades on the NBC Television Network,

    I started listening to WCBS-880 when I was in college and news direction at Seton Hall University’s radio station WSOU in 1967, going all the way back to the first day WCBS-AM went on the air.
    In 1965 the late Pat Parsons (a fellow WSOU Hall of Famer and afternoon anchor on WCBS-AM) gave me my first job in commercial radio. Other Top news people like Glenn Schuck (also an SOU H.O.F) and fellow broadcasters and friends like Anita Bonita, Mitch Leby, Joe Conelly and others who were or are part of the WCBS air staff are all top shelf air talents.
    As for me, regardless of where I was working at the time, WCBS-AM was ALWAYS on my car radio. WCBS-AM was the most credible radio source for news, not only for the five boroughs, but for the entire tri-state area. Because of its talented and relatable news staff, production, features format structure and a tremendous dial position and signal, WCBS was a dependable, accurate, immediate go-to spot on the radio dial for the lates information. Considering its legacy call letters, the tradition of CBS news, consistency and professional style, WCBS-AM was a stand-alone bacon in a sea of wannabe news stations nation-wide.
    This is not just another flip of owners, format or change of call letters that happen so frequently in our business, this is News radio 880 WCBS New York an industry icon. They would be smart to reconsider their decision, because the price of something is not necessarily equal to its value.

    • I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been listening to CBS for over 50 years. Out of curiosity I put on 1010 WINS and listened for 20 minutes tonight. It’s a total joke. I didn’t hear anything worthwhile in those 20 minutes. Half of the time was taken up by ads. I guess we will have to treasure the last 4 days of real radio news in New York City.

  10. The signal of 880 means they are giving up news for New Jersey to NJ101.5.
    WINS does not have a full coverage signal for the former Garden State.

  11. Carefully read every word of each and every response, be Smart, and move away from your arrogance, shallow thinking, and massive stupidity, and reverse your decision, and give well-deserved life to CBS 880, it’s valued and dedicated incredible staff. Make a Smart, Logical, and Valued Decision to stay with a Winner……CBS 880

    • I certainly hope something happens, but I doubt it. 1010 WINS is a total joke. Whatever Audacy calls it, it’s not real news. Superficial headlines and that’s about it. An insult to the intelligence of the listeners of the New York Metropolitan area.

  12. One thing just occurred to me – WINS has aired special reports for years from ABC news — will that continue, or will they air CBS Radio content, perhaps after a contract expires.

  13. Station going to all-sports, which means more money in the profit-greed universe; hang the need for news immediacy as local journalism is hobbled by other greed. Democracy dies in darkness, and the loss of News Radio 88’s signal will rush sundown. Yes, 1010 WINS survives, for now, but its signal does not have the bigger reach. Special interests, those politicos who happen to be crooks and those in government who favor secrecy are salivating that the light won’t shine on them as brightly.

    • Unfortunately,everyone here should listen to 20 minutes of 1010 WINS to see what are losing on Thursday. It’s a total joke. Very superficial garbage. I imagine the costs of running a BS news station are far lower than CBS880. That’s why this is happening. Hopefully, Audacy will suffer from this stupid and selfish decision .

  14. Shocked. I am listening to 88 as I write. Have been since gravitating to NYC post-college years ago. Made my days to have all-news in the car with me as I drove. Or in the background as I worked in my office. Took it with me when I moved to Texas and picked it up on the web. Overall for a quarter century it’s been a part of my life. So long 88 from a fan in Austin. Btw I hate sports radio.

  15. I listened to this as a 7 year old in 1967, my grandmother got me listening. The signal was strong in CT. My grandmother used to listen every morning and at night she would go to sleep listening. I still listen today mornings and at night in bed. My kids listen. My grandkids listen. It is reliable honest information delivered by great personalities. I also used to listen to Cbs Mystery Theater at night. My grandkids do now- it’s archived. We always supported advertisers. Still do. Terrible decision by a company that obviously knows little about the listing base. I used to at times listen to 1010, but now, not happening. Moving over to BBC world news. And – a giant Thank You from my family to everyone who made 880 awesome for decades.

  16. It is way beyond belief, in having to read the incredible insensitivity, and stupidity of Chris Oliviero, in his gibberish about the reason for the cancellation of WCBS 880, considering the fact that it has been an essential mainstay for millions of dedicated listeners for most of their lives…and most importantly, the fact that with his lunatic decision, he has upended the lives of the WCBS Staff, who have given so much dedication for so many years.

    Given that incredible following by listeners has been to so many of the WCBS Staff, and not nearly the same for WINS, this was a massively foolish decision, which I hope he will regret!!

    You have taken a precious communications vehicle from millions of listeners!!

    • Totally agree. Audacy is insulting the intelligence of loyal CBS listeners with his promoting of WINS as the superior product, which is totally false and a joke. It’s just another example of corporate greed at the expense of all of us. It’s too bad that none of our local politicians have gotten involved and put pressure on Audacy to reconsider. Sadly, none of them care.

  17. I am devastated by this news. I counted on 880 news to inform me of the information from around the world and locally that was relevant and important. The analysis of events by their journalists was factual and helpful and never felt like ego-bloated talking-heads spewing their personal opinions.
    Morning drive was an essential part of my day and I listened faithfully. Levon Putney informed my evening times and with his gentle voice, was often the last one I heard at night.
    I was counting on the reporting on CBS 880 to keep me sane with a diet of balanced news and objective content during the months running up to the election. I have absolutely no idea where I will turn now for unbiased news. There is not another news outlet, written or on the airwaves, that I trust for balanced, thorough and unbiased journalism. TRUST in the media is a rare thing. So sad to see it disappear.
    I wish EVERYONE at 880 peace.
    Thank you, thank you for your dedicated service in delivering to us what we needed to know for all these years.
    May better things be in your future!
    We will miss you all terribly!!

  18. What a complete shame. We always have WCBS 880 all day long in the shop. It is
    more than News. It was a way of life for us people who work. Just more Corporate Greed!

  19. WCBS Newsradio 88 will always be the premier and superior all-news station. As its popularity faltered a bit in the ’80s — due to 1010 WINS no-nonsense hard-news headlines-only format — WCBS remained a leisurely, friendly alternative that didn’t discourage lighthearted jocularity between hosts. Harley Carnes and Therese Crowley and Ben Farnsworth and Pat Parson are whom i grew up listening, and it’s a shame it’s all going away.

  20. Why couldn’t made 1010/92.3 the Sports Station. 1010 comes in okay here in Wallingford CT. 880 is the gem. No morning goes by without it. In my car. Whether to Church or traveling 880 is my standard. Audacity utter odious stupidity is nothing short of arrogance. Plain and simple. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Wayne Cabot, Paul Murnane, Craig Allen and Tom Kaminski. These are standards. The owners of Audacy do not know anything about radio and it’s impact on our lives. You have time to kick out 1010. Or better yet put the CBS mantra on 1010 with Paul, Wayne, Craig and Tom leading the way as it should be. WFAN has denigrate d into morning shouting matches. Only Joe Beningo is left there. The only way this can work is with Dan Patrick. I have 1300, 1050 and 660 AM. Do we need any more sports. Do we need anymore stations that say the Giants & Jets play in New York? THEY PLAY IN NEW JERSEY JUST LIKE THE DEVILS. PUT ESPN ON 1010/92.3 AND BRING BACK THE NEWS TO 880/,101.1. YOU NEED NOT BE A SCHOLAR TO FIGURE THAT OUT. 880 WILL BE OFF THE AIR BECAUSE ITS FAN BASE WILL ERODE AND BE NON EXISTANT!

    • Agreed, odious indeed. Just shocking. I really feel so sad about this. The announcers are first rate, they’ve been coming into our homes for years. It’s a terrible decision. Of course it’s preference, but Newsradio 880 is the better choice if one station had to be retained.
      You are so right about the signal and how important that is, there is a difference, we’re in Suffolk County Long Island. In an emergency AM radio will come in the best, and 880 has the stronger signal. Because of that, auto makers may be required soon to have AM not just FM radios in cars.
      This is a terrible decision and I feel awful about it!

  22. F*** Audacy, let it rot in bankruptcy. No billionaires stepping up to rescue this icon of broadcast journalism? Mike Bloomberg, where are you?

  23. Have been listening to Newsradio 88 since I was 18 years old in 1977. I always enjoyed hearing about what was happening in the world while on my drive to work with first class reporting, weather and traffic. I still listen daily. I also enjoy the tidbits of conversation between Wayne Cabot and the other folks at the station. This station breathes an interesting format into the news and I hope that Newsradio 88 remains in place on the air. Taking it off the air only to be replaced with yet another sports radio gig is really awful. Hopefully the powers that be will realize they have a rare gem in Newsradio 88 and will keep it on the air.

    • Unfortunately, you’ve identified the problem. You’re sixty-five and I’m sixty-two, and we are among the younger listeners to WCBS. Back in the mid 80s, Easy Listening/Beautiful Music stations were ubiquitous, but the format all but gone within the next five years. I have no inside knowledge — I haven’t been on the radio in nearly thirty years — but I haver to assume WCBS was facing a demographic meltdown. Still, I don’t understand why now instead of five or ten years from now. It has been reported that WCBS was billing $20 million a year. News is expensive, especially considering the quality of the product and the longevity of the staff, but Audacy had to be making more than they will be getting from Good Karma.

      I’m confident that there is something we don’t yet know. Perhaps Good Karma will be buying the signal. That’s my only guess, but I could be wrong. As it stands, this does not seem to be a good decision either for Audacy or Good Karma.

  25. Please tell us where we will be able to hear Paul, Wayne, Tom and Craig . They are the bright spots every morning when I start my day.

    • Craig Allen is on WCBS TV weekend mornings and his reports are also archived on YouTube.
      I hope that all of the reminiscing on 880’s air is saved to You Tube or some other EASY TO USE archive. I also recall a website with many early memories of “News 88” but don’t recall the URL.

    • I totally agree with you. I’m at a loss for words. My shower radio has been programmed to Newsradio 88 for over 20 years. This is awful.

    • That’s not the point. We’re talking about RADIO. A lot of us grew up with radio. We’re also talking about missing the announcers and personalities, the little jokes and comments, warm, friendly, reliable, voices and people who’ve come into our lives. They’ve all become part of our lives. I do go to the internet to get my news, I never watch television news on TV except for PBS. As far as RADIO goes it’s Newsradio 880 or WSHU 105.7 fm from CT, NPR. But we’re talking about LIVE newsradio, in real-time, a great way to get your news in the morning, hear what’s going on in the world, drive around town with the radio on. The station has wonderful journalists and has been a staple of the New York and Long Island news scene. It’s almost like these people are a part of the family and it’s just so sad that the station will be no more. 1010 WINS is also very good, professional, but not the same caliber, a different tone, it’s all in what one prefers.
      Why Audacy had the AUDACITY to make such a change makes no sense to the listeners. They could have kept 880 the way it was and let 1010 WINS go 🙁 , let ESPN have the 1010 frequency. Audacy does not realize the Importance of having another all-news station on the AM dial. In a true emergency, it is true that the AM stations and frequencies have the strongest signal, being “line of sight” vs the FM frequencies. Auto makers will soon be required to keep AM radios in autos, because of the emergency factor and needing to get information out there during an emergency.
      My family is so unhappy about this, and we’re not all 65 and over.

    • Hi, I’m not over 65, just short of 60. CBS News is a New York institution staffed by the highest level of news professionals. This a sad day for people who understand the importance of the station and the service they have provided through all these decades.

  28. Whelp, my only reason for turning on “the radio” has just vanished. RIP WCBS – You gave us the world. Nice Job Dave Field. Your pop must be rolling.

      • They made money. I believe WCBS-AM billed nearly $30-Million in 2023. That made them one of the Top Ten highest billing radio stations in New York and, probably, the Number One billing AM station in America.

        It’s true the all-news format is expensive to operate, but I seriously doubt that the WCBS-AM expenses were more than, or anywhere close to, what they billed.

        I have always disliked second guessing broadcasting companies’ programming decisions when I was not privy to their internal intel. Nevertheless, this one is a head scratcher.

        One the one hand, the last time I checked, the audience sharing between WCBS-AM and WINS was surprisingly low. That could bode well for WINS ratings in the future.

        On the other hand, I believe the two stations shared a lot of advertisers, so I doubt if a lot of the WCBS-AM revenue will move over to WINS.

  30. Big mistake on the part of Audacy to get rid of WCBS news radio 880.
    Whenever there was breaking news with detailed coverage, it has been WCBS AM

    In our tri state area we NEED WCBS AM , because as we all know “ For radio news, the BEST in the buisiness, keep tuned to news radio 880 on your AM dial”!

    We don’t need or want another sports station.
    N
    I’ve been listening to WCBS 880! for over 50 years. I’m always mentioning to people about news items that I heard on WCBS 880 AM

  31. I grew up in NYC and like do many on this page was a longtime listener to WCBS88. I listened a lot. I went to Syracuse to study journalism, and migrated to broadcasting while there. WCBS was my model. I know WINS has been on longer, but Newsradio88 had the CBS network connection. Newsradio88 had the CBS talent along with its own stellar crew. Hearing this news today was a gut punch. I first thought this couldn’t be true. But now I have to process the loss of a sound that’s been part of my life for 57 years. I hope CBS News Radio has a home in New York after the all-news format passes into history. Thank you, Newsradio88, for a half century of exemplary service.

  32. What a huge lose for the NY metro area. I listen to Wayne, Paul, Tom and Craig each morning for years. I will truly miss them. What a mistake Audacy is making.
    Who needs another all sports station when you have WFAN , 1050 ESPN , fox sports radio and 98.7 fm. Audacy, a terrible organization, will see a big lose of market share.

  34. When I was a kid, I could listen to WCBS in Florida on a clear night and loved I was getting to hear Big Time World Class News. This is just the world’s latest, stupidest decision made by clueless uncaring people. Devastating. Hopefully, better thinking will save a version of 880 WCBS somehow. I would certainly step up if I had some of the $$$s our billionaire heavy hitters had. It would be fun, and noble.

  35. Started listening with my dad when it changed over in 1967. I’m a weather geek and used to listen to Gordon Barnes who gave way to the GOAT Craig Allen. The Audacity app (pun intended) is a tough listen due to the same commercials over and over. I love Wayne, Paul , Tom Kaminsky and Craig and hope they will able to continue on 1010. 1010 is tough to get here in Stratford Ct. I read there were 24 layoffs, does anyone know who they are?

    • There were 23 writers in the WGA East members laid off by Audacy. Some anchors and a writer stated that today was their last day. I have read that news will cease on the 23rd, but also read somewhere that sports will relaunch 3 days after that.
      There is a special tribute planned for the 22nd at 10 am. I hope someone there uploads it to YouTube.

  36. Somewhere, nobody is smiling at this news. The reality is a lot of people are getting their news from myriad sources and fewer of those sources include radio. AM or FM. It all resides in your phone. You can read, watch or listen to what you want to know. The ease of punching up 880 for news will be replaced by the ease of 1010WINS 92.3 – or just reading the thousands of news sources. Audacy is having money troubles and has been shedding properties and people for years now since the acquisition of CBS Radio. A few in the organization want to retain their golden parachute and therefore make decisions like this to serve their own purposes not necessarily the public. Worst part is all of the whining that’s going on here (and elsewhere) won’t change anyone’s mind. WCBS competed against co-owned WINS. Now the new signal (operated by Good Karma) will compete against Audacy’s WFAN. Is all-sports really more of a money maker? We’ll see. RIP WCBS. We were lucky to have you.

    • 1010 WINS doesn’t win at all. Superficial. Poor signal. Horrible format. Am still wondering why WCBS is gone and wins is the survivor. Audacy is having financial as well as mental woes – poor decision. Will miss my dear, wonderful and talented radio family every single day.

      • “Am still wondering why WCBS is gone and wins is the survivor.”

        Because four times as many people listen to WINS. Blame your fellow radio listeners. They don’t share your taste in radio.

  37. No one especially big business cares (except us of course) how you are going to start your day or not start your day. I have listened to Newsradio 88 since it began. Even living in AZ thanks to the internet I keep up with what’s is going on back home. It is a shame and just another sad day

  39. This has been in the cards since Audacy filed for bankruptcy in January. I feel horrible for the people who I have listened to for so many years, who covered the Tri State area so well, and wonder how much Audacy management is overpaying themselves for having filed for Chapter 11. Lets see how long it takes for them to mess up WFAN which does kind of compete in the sports space with ESPN, yes?

  40. I join the chorus above. How can you shut down such an important station as WCBS 880 Radio. It has a strong audience and a National footprint. Is sports really more important than real time news?

  41. I’m devastated to hear WCBS 880 News will no longer be on the air. I’ve listened to this station regularly since 1981. I tune in to WCBS on every car ride I take. The anchors always did a terrific job in reporting the news, sports, traffic and weather. I will truly miss this station. It’s a shame I will have to get my news elsewhere.

  42. 880’s signal particularly north and east of the city into Westchester and Connecticut is so strong and 1010 doesn’t even come close. It is a serious loss to the public. WCBS was still pulling in over 30 mil a year and ranking in the Top 10 nationally. Why would you blow that up to move ESPN down the dial, especially when Audacy owns WFAN? Homogenizing radio may work in the rest of the country, but NYC is one of a kind and you can’t program it like it’s in the Midwest. The station is truly legendary, and deserves better. Maybe enough listeners will protest and force Audacy’s hand. Much like when CBS-FM flipped to JACK, and flipped back when the complaints wouldn’t stop.

    • 880 is a clear channel. 1010 powers down at night, so it’s harder to hear outside of the city, into the suburbs. 880, on the other hand, has a stronger signal at night. A shande.

    • I totally agree. It’s too bad that not 1 New York politician has commented or tried to pressure Audacy into changing their mind. Maybe they could threaten to terminate Audacy’s Manhattan lease? But instead we hear nothing from our elected officials.

  43. I can’t believe this is happening! I wake up to them every morning and enjoy every bit. What happens to Tim Kaminsky, we all need those traffic reports and the inside crew, oh btw you’re out of a job !!!!I am beyond sad.

  45. I was a 14-year-old high school student home sick with pneumonia in September 1967 when I happened upon Newsradio 88, a few weeks after its debut. Now I’m a 70-year-ol grandfather, retiring soon, and I’ve listened the entire time. I heard all the giants of journalism who filled the airwaves over all these years, some no longer with us, and many whom I can still hear every day on WCBS. To all of you who have made Newsradio 88 possible, whether behind-the-scenes or on the air, THANK YOU for being a treasured companion in my home and car every day. (Audacy: you should have been a prudent steward of a valuable legacy, and instead you’ve thrown it away.)

  46. I know broadcasting is a business and while a Local Marketing Agreement (LMA) means guaranteed money for Audacy, this shouldn’t be happening.

    There are many true professionals who have worked there for a long time and like so many who made radio there career, they’ll be looking for another place to be heard.

    I wondered what was going on when I heard that the two newsrooms were going to be combined into one and many of the reporters were covering the same stories for both stations.

    Another indication was when overnights changed from totally live programming to repeats of interviews that were heard earlier in the day.

    Let’s hope the many people who made that station stand out will not be out of work for long.

  47. Audacy needs to change its name to Audacity, since they are on a mission to help AM stations fail. Plus they are selling off some of their transmitter sites, forcing the stations there to diplex their signals with other stations… Or just sign off for good.
    At least the call sign still exists on FM and TV..

    There’s too much sports programming nowadays.

    • Agree. NOT EVERYONE is obsessed with sports, sports, sports day and night! Remember when we were able to get good music on the radio, and comedy, and talk shows, not ALL of which were call-in-and-vent shows? Not that long ago, people had a REAL CHOICE about what they wanted to hear. There are radio markets out there which are not being served anymore. Why not? Who makes these dictatorial choices for us?

  48. I cried when I heard this announcement. I never had a mental health problem, but I think I will now!!! I have been listening to 880 for years. My morning starts with Wayne Cabot and Paul Murname at 5:45 a.m. (and I’m retired!). I love their bantering and events happening this day in different years. How am I going to start my day without Craig Allen and Tom Kaminski (whom I was listening to on 9/11 and where I first heard about the tragedy)? Where am I going to get the best newscast there is? I knew when Audacy took over, there was trouble. Before them, I was able to go on line and relisten to Wayne and Paul to make sure I got all their jokes. How dare you Audacy!!!

    • I am in TOTAL agreement with you. Been listening for decades. Loved the stories and the heart of 880 as delivered by all the intelligent newscasters. It wasn’t just news it was welcomed information both national and international. The news , the financial information, the traffic and definitely the weather! So enjoyed all the staff. 1010 wins cannot hold a candle!! Audacy got it wrong!

  51. Yes, 1010 is a terrible frequency. I can hardly receive it in central New Jersey. The 880 transmission is excellent. What a dumb move.

  52. This is terrible traffic reports weather with Greg Allen sports up to date news just what we need more sports unbelievable

  53. WCBS News Radio 880 AM has been around for a long time. I used to listen to that Radio station late at night before the Internet. I even tune in on the car radio late at night. AM radio won’t be the same anymore. We lost WNBC radio and now WCBS. It is sad.

  55. Craig Allen – a reliable voice for weather for over 40 years. Told it like is was, no hype or scare tactics. Hope he continues on air in the NYC area.

    • Craig Allen is on WCBS TV weekend mornings and his reports are also archived on YouTube.
      I hope that all of the reminiscing on air is saved to You Tube or some other EASY TO USE archive.

  56. Well Jeez, if Mark Baum relies on the internet for his news, that settles it! And “1010 WINS at 92.3 a.k.a. Channel 222 if you’re an Engineering Geek” hasn’t got a prayer either.

    Oh wait, yes it does. Audacy New York’s Middle Management Schmuck Downstairs has spent at least a year starving and declawing WCBS 880 and deliberately turning it into unlistenable Shite (“Solid Gold News all night long! You liked it ONCE..!”), in order for his simulcasting baby (which he’s babysat for decades without having to do any actual “work”) to broadcast All News in New York City with no competition. And to make room for The Best Little Whorehouse In Philadelphia to rent out its 50KW single-stick room to the highest bidder. Not that there were many.

    Boy. Didn’t see THAT coming. Unless you were paying attention or something.

  57. I was listening a few weeks ago and Wayne Cabot ,morning anchor, Craig Allen .weather, and Tom Kaminsky ,traffic , were discussing how they all had been there for 25+ years. Wonder if they knew then.

  58. More accurately, the “headwinds facing local journalism nationwide” have absolutely nothing to do with it. It’s because nobody listens to AM anymore, and especially not for their news content, so it makes no sense to continue employing both a full newsroom staff AND a full radio station staff. Just LMA it out to someone who can throw network programming on the signal like every other mostly-abandoned AM station in the world and let them milk the cow dry.

    That’s what’s happening here.

  59. YES very good move as I always listened to 1010 WINS 92.3 FM. Now I do not ever have to switch between 880 & 1010-92.3 ==== I love 2 hours up from NY City & I rely on the Internet for all my radio News.Mark

  60. I was wondering for a long time how two all-news stations could exist in the same market, especially when both were sold to the same owner! Sad to see the old CBS O & O’s call sign heading to the dustbin of history. Also, WINS’s night pattern is due east into Manhattan from New Jersey and out to the Atlantic Ocean while WCBS, is omnidirectional covering much of the US day and night with its tower adjacent to Long Island Sound from High Island in the Bronx. The 880 frequency produces a better groundwave than 1010. So, what was Audacity thinking?

    • I grew up in Rochester. Spent many a night listening to 880 as Ira points out is OMNI. WINS? Never heard that in Rochester as it is directional towards NYC from a TX site in NJ. Also, there is co-channel CFRB in Toronto to contend with.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here