WCBS 880 Goes Silent After Nearly 60 Years: ESPN Takes Over New York Radio Waves

ESPN Takes Over WCBS 880, Ending 60 Years of All-News Format in New York

In a major shift for New York radio, the iconic all-news station WCBS-AM 880 is saying goodbye to its decades-long format. Audacy, the parent company of WFAN, and Good Karma Brands, owner of ESPN New York, have struck a deal that will bring ESPN New York to the 880 AM frequency, marking the end of an era for WCBS.

The move comes as ESPN New York’s lease for its current signal, WEPN-FM 98.7, is set to expire at the end of August. Instead of renewing, ESPN will focus on digital delivery but will take advantage of the stronger 880 AM signal for its local programming. This agreement will take effect on August 26th.

What's Changing?

Under the new three-year lease agreement, ESPN New York's popular programs, including “The Michael Kay Show,” “DiPietro & Rothenberg,” and “Bart & Hahn,” will move to the 880 AM frequency. The station's call letters will change from WCBS to WHSQ-AM, pending FCC approval.

Mets Radio Games Remain Unaffected

While the news format is changing, fans of the Mets can rest assured that the team's broadcasts will continue to air on 880 AM. Audacy retains all rights to the Mets games.

A Farewell to a New York Icon

The news has been met with sadness by many, including longtime Mets radio play-by-play announcer Howie Rose, who expressed his grief on X, formerly Twitter. Rose acknowledged the impact on the people who worked tirelessly at the station, providing news and information for decades. He also expressed his personal attachment to the WCBS call letters, calling them “historic and iconic.”

The Future of News on 880 AM

The financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, and it’s unclear how many jobs will be impacted by the change. However, one thing is certain: New York radio will look different without the familiar voice of WCBS 880, leaving many wondering what the future holds for news coverage on the 880 AM frequency.