WCBS-FM

WCBS-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to New York City, broadcasting on 101.1 MHz to the New York metropolitan area. Owned by Audacy, Inc., it airs an adult contemporary music format specializing in classic hits, primarily focusing on pop and rock music from the 1960s through the 1980s. The station is one of the most-listened-to in the nation's largest radio market and has a storied history as a pioneering oldies outlet.

History

The station first signed on the air in July 1941 as WABC-FM, a sister station to the ABC-owned WABC. In 1953, the station was sold to the CBS network and its call letters were changed to reflect its new ownership under William S. Paley. It initially simulcast its AM sister, WCBS, before launching a beautiful music format in 1966. The station transitioned to its iconic oldies format in 1972 under program director Joe McCoy, becoming a ratings powerhouse by playing hits from the 1950s and 1960s. In a highly controversial move in 2005, CBS Radio abruptly switched the station to a Jack FM format, renaming it "Jack-FM" and dismissing its veteran air staff; public outcry led to the restoration of the oldies format, rebranded as "WCBS-FM 101.1," in July 2007. The station has since evolved its playlist, moving toward a broader classic hits approach under subsequent owners like Entercom and Audacy.

Programming

The station's current format is a classic hits-based adult contemporary mix, often marketed as "New York's Greatest Hits." Its playlist spans the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, featuring artists like The Beatles, Billy Joel, Fleetwood Mac, and Madonna. Special weekend programming includes the "Saturday Night Dance Party" and the "Sunday Morning Hall of Fame," which features longer music sets and interviews. The station also produces holiday-themed music marathons and often adjusts its playlist for seasonal events like the Summer and Winter Olympics. It carries limited news updates from the CBS News radio network and traffic reports from Total Traffic and Weather Network.

On-air personalities

Notable current and former personalities include morning host Scott Shannon, a veteran disc jockey formerly of WPLJ and co-creator of the Zoo format; afternoon drive host Dan Taylor; and midday host Sue O'Neil. The station's historic lineup featured legendary figures such as Harry Harrison, Ron Lundy, and ["Cousin" Bruce Morrow, all members of the National Radio Hall of Fame. Other notable alumni include Bobby Jay, Joe Causi, and Randy Davis. Many of these personalities were part of the mass dismissal in 2005 but some, like Morrow, returned for special appearances after the format's restoration.

Technical information

The station's transmitter is located at the Empire State Building, sharing facilities with numerous other New York City broadcasters like WNBC and WABC. It broadcasts using an ERP of 6,600 watts and a HAAT of 495 meters from its antenna. Its signal covers the five boroughs of New York City, much of Long Island, Northern New Jersey, Connecticut, and parts of New York State and Pennsylvania. The station broadcasts in HD Radio, with its HD2 subchannel carrying a classic hip hop format branded as "Hip Hop Nation."

Awards and recognition

The station and its staff have received numerous accolades, including multiple Marconi Awards for "Legendary Station of the Year" from the National Association of Broadcasters. Personality ["Cousin" Bruce Morrow was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1988 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The station itself has been honored by the New York State Broadcasters Association and has consistently ranked highly in Arbitron and Nielsen Audio ratings for the New York market. Its programming has earned awards from organizations like the Gavin Report and Billboard. Category:Radio stations in New York City Category:Classic hits radio stations in the United States Category:Audacy Category:Radio stations established in 1941