WCBS Newsradio 880 announced it would cease operations later this month, and 77 WABC morning host Sid Rosenberg believes he had a hand in the station’s demise.
During Sid and Friends in the Morning Tuesday, the New York news/talk host shared his belief that it isn’t a coincidence that WCBS is going away after his ratings success on WABC.
“This is not in the character of Sid Rosenberg. It’s really not. But when I looked at the landscape of morning radio in New York, — specifically AM news and AM news/talk — it pains me to say this because I am not happy that folks are about to lose their jobs, I’m really not,” Rosenberg said. “I feel awful for some of these people, but I’m going to take the credit this morning for putting CBS 880 out of business. It was me. Because they couldn’t win in the mornings.”
He went on to say that Audacy New York is still served well by the heritage 1010 WINS brand. But he countered by saying the success of WINS and his morning show gave other AM radio and AM news/talk stations like WCBS 880 and 710 WOR no chance of winning.
“Now, in the same company, they’ve got 1010 WINS, who’s on AM and FM. They’re a powerhouse. Don’t listen to anybody who tells you differently. 1010 WINS, Ben Mevorach, that’s a powerhouse, AM and FM. So there’s no reason to listen to WCBS 880 with folks who are lesser known on a signal that’s not as good when you’ve got 1010 WINS,” Rosenberg posited. “And if you’re looking for any personality with the news in the morning, you’re going to come to me, not WOR, who I murder in the ratings, or WCBS. So, I know it sounds dicky. I know it. I’m a narcissist. I’m arrogant, blah, blah, blah. But I’m here to tell you — on a very serious note — I’m the guy that put WCBS 880 out of business.”
