In a major shift for New York radio, the parent companies of WFAN and ESPN New York have agreed to a deal that will give ESPN New York a stronger signal while ending WCBS-AM 880’s nearly six-decade-long all-news format. Audacy, WFAN’s parent company, and Good Karma Brands, the owner of ESPN New York, announced the agreement Monday.
The deal, which goes into effect Aug. 26, will see Audacy license its 880 AM signal to ESPN New York under a local marketing agreement. The move comes as ESPN New York’s current lease for its WEPN-FM 98.7 signal expires at the end of August and station officials have opted not to renew it. Instead, ESPN New York will focus on digital broadcasting, although the stronger 880 AM signal will now carry its local programming.
Under the three-year lease, ESPN New York programming, including “The Michael Kay Show,” “DiPietro & Rothenberg” and “Bart & Hahn,” will be carried on the 880 AM frequency. Pending FCC approval, the station’s call sign will change from WCBS to WHSQ-AM. Mets broadcasts, which are owned by Audacy, will continue to air on 880 AM, with Audacy retaining all rights to the games.
WCBS-AM 880 is an iconic New York brand that has been providing comprehensive news coverage since 1967.
The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed and it remains unclear how many jobs will be affected.
