77 WABC has seen an impressive resurgence under the ownership of John Catsimatidis. Morning host Sid Rosenberg believes the station wouldn’t still exist if not for the billionaire.
While discussing the station’s owner being honored by Manhattan College on Wednesday, Rosenberg lauded Catsimatidis for the work he’s done with the station, insinuating 77 WABC was on its deathbed before he took over the outlet.
“The truth is … we were dying here. We were dying and you and Margo came in,” said Sid Rosenberg. “We had Chad (Lopez_. Chad has always had great ideas, but we couldn’t implement any of them (with Cumulus). You also had a great vision along with Chad.
“You took a station that was once so illustrious, and we were down to our last breath. They were about to pull the plug, and you and Margo came in, and you’ve made it great. So I appreciate that. But without you and Margo I’m not on the air today. Not even close.”
John Catsimatidis credited the folks working for the station for its meteoric rise back to the upper echelons of the New York radio ratings.
“Nielsen people tell us that we’re the number one AM station in the country. Not New York, the country,” Catsimatidis said. “Not too many people could say that. I want to congratulate you and the entire WABC team by helping achieve that.”
