Radio News: (August 26, 2024)  At midnight this morning, WCBS (880 AM), signed off and ESPN sports programming began airing on the frequency under new call sign WHSQ. For the remainder of the week, ESPN`s local programs will continue to be heard on WEPN (98.7 FM), while Good Karma Brands will run national ESPN shows on WEPN (1050 AM). ESPN anticipates a substantial revenue boost from 880`s 50,000W clear channel signal.

     No News: (August 12, 2024)  Station owner Audacy announced today that legacy all-news station WCBS (880 AM) will be discontinuing its news format on Monday, August 26th, to be replaced, by means of a Local Marketing Agreement with Good Karma Brands, with ESPN New York sports programming, which is moving to the AM band from WEPN (98.7 FM). Good Karma Brands has been leasing WEPN-FM from Emmis, and owns the current ESPN AM outlet, WEPN (1050 AM), which airs the national ESPN format. Audacy has filed an application with the FCC to change the 880 call letters to WHSQ.

   WCBS-AM first went on the air in 1924, and, in 1928, became the first radio station of the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). It was the second all-news station in NYC (after WINS (1010 AM)), debuting "Newsradio 88" on August 28, 1967, a day after the station`s transmitter was hit by a plane and toppled. The all-news format was initially daytime only, expanding to 24 hours by 1970. It has been reported that dozens of station staff at WCBS have been laid off. A retrospective broadcast will air on WCBS 880 on Thursday, August 22nd, from 10 am to 1 pm.

   New York Radio Guide extends its thanks to the highly talented on-air and off-air professionals who have made WCBS 880 an indispensable news and information resource for generations of New Yorkers.