The dial on New York’s radio landscape is about to shift dramatically. After a distinguished 57-year run, WCBS 880 is signing off, closing its doors to make way for a new chapter under the call letters WHSQ-AM ESPN New York. The venerable news station, which has been a beacon of breaking news, political insights, and city happenings, will cease its transmissions at midnight.
For nearly six decades, WCBS 880 has been the soundtrack of New York’s daily grind, delivering crucial updates on everything from crime and politics to subway delays. Former journalist Peter Haskell reflected on the station’s legacy, recalling the exceptional reporting by stalwarts like Marla Diamond, Sean Adams, and Tom Kaminski. Kaminski, in particular, was a fixture of New York’s skies, his traffic reports from the iconic news chopper often punctuated with references to local legends like Bruce Springsteen.
“All I can say is thank you,” Kaminski said in a statement. “It’s been a privilege to try to get you from point A to point B as quickly as possible. I have never taken that responsibility lightly, and I’m grateful for every minute we’ve spent together.”
Yet, as the station bows out, its transition to ESPN programming has left many nostalgic for the days when WCBS 880 was synonymous with local news integrity. The new ESPN format will include New York Mets games, but it’s a far cry from the comprehensive news coverage that defined the station’s heyday.
David Seifman, former City Hall Bureau Chief for The Post, lamented the loss of a critical voice in New York’s media landscape. He noted the vital role WCBS 880 played in covering city government and its influential “Ask the Mayor” program hosted by Rich Lamb, which started under Mayor Rudy Giuliani and continued through Michael Bloomberg’s tenure.
Lamb, who spent 43 years at the station, described his career with a blend of pride and humor. From covering grisly crime scenes to attending Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest (where he humorously preferred Gray’s Papaya), Lamb’s career was a testament to the station’s commitment to covering all facets of city life.
“I mourn the passing of this greatest of all news radio stations,” Lamb said. “For those who have lost their journalism jobs and for the American public, which is facing a critical time of judgment hinging on fair and accurate delivery of information which WCBS always strove to deliver.”
The closure reflects a broader trend of media consolidation that has impacted local journalism nationwide. Audacy, the company behind WCBS, cited “headwinds facing local journalism” as the reason for the station’s closure. Over 20 staff members were laid off, and the Writers Guild of America East criticized the decision as a significant blow to local news diversity.
“Audacy’s decision is even more egregious given that this is a critical election year,” the guild said in a statement.
Former New York Governor David Paterson, who once relied on WCBS 880 for news due to his visual impairment, expressed his sorrow over the station’s demise. “As I was growing up in Long Island, I couldn’t read the newspaper, and the television had not embraced the news the way it has today,” Paterson recalled. “I’m really sorry that this is going away.”
The end of WCBS 880 marks a poignant moment for New York’s media scene, as the station’s legacy of delivering hard-hitting, reliable news comes to a close. While ESPN will take over the airwaves, many New Yorkers will remember WCBS 880 as a trusted companion through the city’s most pivotal moments.
