One of New York’s legendary FM radio stations is ditching the tunes for breaking news.
After decades of filling the airwaves with music — from disco to soft rock — “Alt 92.3” on the FM dial is now set to begin simulcasting 24-hour news for 1010 WINS, the news station’s parent company, Audacy, announced on Monday.
“1010 WINS IS GOING FM!!!” the AM news station announced on Twitter. “Beginning Oct. 27, the country’s most-listened-to news station will be simulcast on … 92.3 FM!”
Audacy said the move will expand its New York Metro-area footprint.
“At a time when quality journalism and local reporting is so critical, it was the ideal moment to make a strong investment in our news creation and distribution capabilities,” Chris Oliviero, market president for Audacy New York, said in a statement.
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“Audacy New York’s news organization, anchored by both 1010 WINS and WCBS 880, is the premier audio news outlet in the city and now more than ever we remain committed to serving our audience as we have done so for over the last 50 years,” Oliviero said.
Former 1010 WINS brand manager Ben Mevorach has been promoted to vice president of New York news for the company and will oversee the new 1010/92.3 and CBS lineup.
But the move is sure to break the hearts of longtime FM listeners in the Tri-State area.
The FM station began broadcasting in the late 1940s, but made waves when it converted to disco music under the call letters WKTU, capitalizing on the surge in the dance genre.
Rock fans still remember the station as 92.3 K-Rock when it changed format in 1985, the first of many incarnations that included years as the home of shock jock Howard Stern.
