Audacy was one of the major players in the CBS News Radio network. As the network ends today, the company has shifted its stations to ABC News Radio.
What We Know: CBS News Radio ends on Friday evening after nearly 100 years. Many of the current Audacy news/talk and all-news stations were previously CBS Radio stations. However, many of the stations began airing ABC News newscasts on Thursday afternoon. WBBM was the first station to begin airing ABC News, doing so during the Noon CT hour on Thursday. Other stations like WCCO, KNX, and KCBS followed suit later in the day.
What’s At Stake: After picking up hundreds of affiliates after CBS News Radio‘s announcement, ABC News Radio has to be thrilled with the additions of the Audacy stations. Major brands like 1010 WINS, WBBM, 830 WCCO, KNX News, and KCBS, among others, provide major market access to the network.
What Remains Unclear: Which stations are still in need of launching the changes. An Audacy spokesperson confirmed to Barrett Media that all stations will be airing ABC News by Saturday morning. It is also unclear which Audacy stations, if any, will carry the final CBS News Radio broadcast at 11:30 PM ET on Friday evening.
What It Means: It’s the end of an era on many of the most venerable stations in the format. CBS News Radio was synonymous with many of the Audacy brands. With the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, it appears as if many of the stations began airing ABC News newscasts to ensure a smooth transition before hard-launching the switch on a holiday or weekend.
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
