WCBS-AM, the legendary New York news station, goes offline

CITYWIDE — WCBS NEWSRADIO 880 will shut down permanently in less than two weeks. After nearly 60 years of broadcasting news in New York City Owner of the station Audacy announced Monday that the 880 AM station will move to sports radio starting August 26 and relaunch as ESPN New York and WHSQ-AM. Audacy also owns 1010 WINS on 92.3 FM, which will be the last all-news station in the city. Jackie Clement of the Fair Media Council called the loss a Wake-up calland called WCBS-AM one of the best radio news stations in history. “Legends like Charles Osgood, Charles Kuralt and Pat Summerall walked its halls, supported by countless producers, editors and reporters who helped make those names a part of everyday life,” she wrote in the organization’s Wednesday newsletter. “This is not about quality, and that’s why it hurts so much.”

Clement warned of the nationwide loss of trusted radio news. “When disaster strikes, radio becomes a lifeline… What happens when an internet and power outage silences all warnings?”

✰✰✰