NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – WCBS 880 will end its run as an all-news station later this month, after serving as a source of connection and information in the New York region for nearly 60 years.
It was a big announcement and a tough announcement from Audacy, the parent company of 1010 WINS and WCBS 880, the all-news powerhouses that have informed New York area listeners since the 1960s.
The company has decided that WCBS 880 will no longer continue its all-news format. Under the agreement, Audacy will keep 880 in its stable of stations, while Good Karma Brands will program and flip to ESPN New York beginning Aug. 26. New York Mets games and broadcasts will continue exclusively on 880 and on the Audacy app for the years ahead.
The iconic WCBS call letters will be retired and are to be replaced by WHSQ, pending FCC approval.
Debuting as all-news in August 1967, WCBS 880 is a station with a history of covering the city's, nation's and world's major events with renowned and respected broadcasters, former and current. From the launch of "Traffic and Weather Together," to Tom Kaminski telling the world about 9/11 from a chopper above the city, the station has become a gold standard in radio.
WCBS 880's former rival and current sister station, 1010 WINS@92.3FM, will continue its longtime role as a 24/7 all-news station serving the New York market.
In a statement, Chris Oliviero, the president of the New York market at Audacy, 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," Oliviero continued. "WCBS 880 has been one of the most respected radio stations in history, with a legacy cemented by the hundreds of world-class journalists, on and off the air, who willed it into existence over the decades. If it happened in New York or the world, you heard about it on WCBS 880. Today, 1010 WINS@92.3FM, 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."
WCBS 880 will broadcast a live commemorative special, “WCBS 880 News: The People, the Moments, and the Events that Shaped our Lives,” on Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This special edition of “Newsline” with Brigitte Quinn will include interviews and historical clips.
