The Next Chapter For WABC Radio Begins

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At 3:50pm Eastern on Monday, March 2, a radio station that was once one of the world’s most-listened-to facilities was officially handed to its new owner.


Cumulus Media no longer owns WABC-AM in New York, and its new owner took to the airwaves to confirm he has closed on the purchase of the News/Talker.

As RBR+TVBR first reported in June 2019, Cumulus agreed to sell WABC to Red Apple Media for $12.5 million.

In an internal memo obtained by RBR+TVBR, Berner said the sale of WABC “will allow us to generate additional cash for paying down debt and investing in the company.”

While the valuation of WABC’s sale put Cumulus in the hot seat, listeners were pleased in learning from Cumulus CEO Mary Berner that the station’s entire team will transfer with the iconic WABC brand to Red Apple “and continue to deliver great content to New York listeners and beyond.”

Closing was expected to transpire in Q3. It happened five months later.

Red Apple Group is led by Chairman/CEO John A. Catsimatidis, and assisted by John Catsimatidis Jr..

The elder Catsimatidis said, “We look forward to working with this legendary New York staple radio station with all of its employees and talent. It is exciting for our company to be stepping into the broadcasting industry with WABC as the anchor for our growing media assets as we expand into the future.”

Catsimatidis earned kudos from WABC’s VP/GM, Chad Lopez.

“We’re thrilled that John Catsimatidis, a true New Yorker has acquired, and taken control of,
WABC,” he said. “John’s passion for radio, along with his appreciation of the rich history of the station, makes this partnership ideal as we work together to give New York City what it deserves; the best News-Talk station in the city.”

Catsimatidis also hosts his own weekly show for Salem Media Group Talker WNYM-AM 970  “The Answer,” a Hackensack, N.J.-licensed station serving New York. This is scheduled to continue.

One of the country’s oldest radio stations, WABC began broadcasting in 1921, originally
as WJZ in Newark, N.J. From the early 1960s through May 10, 1982, it was “Musicradio 77” — and a dominant Top 40 radio station from the mid-1960s through 1977, when competition from FM competitors led to a five-year decline ahead of a flip to Talk.

As a Talk station, WABC had its high points and low points. In the late 1980s, Bob Grant attracted listeners for his ascerbic, edgy conservative talk. Then came Rush Limbaugh, and WABC enjoyed many years of success before losing audience to iHeartRadio-owned WOR, the former Buckley station that is today the home of Rush.

WABC’s anchor remains its morning show, where Bernie & Sid in the Morning carry on a legacy created by their late cohort, Don Imus. Another New York legend, Curtis Sliwa, co-hosts the noon-3pm slot. In the 10am-noon slot is The Brian Kilmeade Show, while The Ben Shapiro Show is on from 3-6pm, followed by syndicated hosts Mark Levin and John Batchelor.


FROM THE RBR+TVBR ARCHIVES:

Behind The Buyer Of WABC-AM In N.Y.

By 11am Eastern Thursday, the radio industry was abuzz with the news that Cumulus Media secured a buyer for WABC-AM in New York — once America’s most-listened-to radio station. But, who is the buyer? If you’re a longtime New York resident, you know his grocery chain.
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