The end of 66 WNBC

On October 7, 1988 at 5:30 p.m., the WFAN call letters, studios, programming and staff moved to WNBC's old frequency at 660 AM, which has a much better signal. Earlier in the day, the station aired a 90-minute retrospective titled "WNBC-The First 66 Years," hosted by Dale Parsons. The program was written and produced by Parsons and his wife, Ginny, who spent nearly six months researching the station's history. The last voice heard on WNBC was that of Alan Colmes, who said "I'm Alan Colmes. Thank you, God bless you, and for the last time, this is 66 WNBC New York. Let's do the countdown." and counted down the seconds to WNBC's demise with the legendary NBC chimes (the notes G-E-C) playing in the background. Their soon-to-be former TV sister station, WNBC-TV, abruptly cut from a pre-produced history piece on WNBC and NBC Radio during their 5:00 p.m. newscast to cover the sign-off live.[3] After 66 years, the long history of NBC radio in New York had come to an end.[4]

[@scottburton9701]

WNBC's demise on 10/7/88 came six years after rival WABC switched from music to talk-Thanks for posting!

[@ericgrove7755]

Ironically on October 7, 1988 66 years of broadcast excellence came to an end on 66 WNBC New York. Rest In Peace in radio heaven.

[@rickarnold7778]

I'm here on 8/26/2024, roughly 16 hours after 880 WCBS ceased to exist, becoming yet another ESPN sports station on the NYC landscape. The change happened at 12:01am this date. As we heard here, WNBCs change to WFAN on 10/7/1988 was a respectful transition, just like WABCs change to talk on 5/10/1982. However, WCBS's transition was nothing of the sort. The final moments of 880 WCBS ended with about two minutes of dead air, followed by an ESPN program already in progress. There was no acknowledgment of 880 WCBS by ESPN. What a major disappointment and more importantly, what disrespect for the legacy of 880 WCBS. This is a sad day.

[@wmbrown6]

"You heard the countdown - it's over" as heard in the background was spoken by Roger Grimsby - then at the studio doing his piece about the station's coming demise for WNBC-TV, thus he was truly the last voice heard on 66 WNBC.

[@mattalbrecht7471]

was really surprised they changed to SPORTS and WFAN rather than keep the ICON that WAS WNBC

[@scottburton9701]

The late Alan Colmes went on to co-host one of the earliest shows on Fox News with Sean Hannity which was called "Hannity & Colmes".

[@gregpaspatis9425]

@Scott Burton "Hannity & Colmes" carried the 9pm eastern hour on Fox News Ch. for its first thirteen yrs., until Colmes decided that getting the 44th president elected and sworn in was enough for him to rest on and then returned to his talk radio show permanently.

[@stevek2340]

I remember listening to this historic transition live.

[@prausch65]

A unique piece of New York AM history ends.

[@colettenasielski871]

Goodbye WNBC Really going to miss you

[@dpf2122]

Love the guy who called in to complain about no blacks or Puerto Ricans on the final show lmao

[@colettenasielski9595]

Good Bye 660 WNBC GOING TO MISS YOU

[@rty1955]

Sarnoff is turning in his grave

[@the1trueking1966-t]

Who?

[@rty1955]

@the1trueking1966-t David Sarnoff. The early day Bill Gates of RCA, and head of NBC

[@marchoffman6878]

i liked this station.

[@colettenasielski4399]

Goodbye WNBC 66 going to miss you

[@colettenasielski9504]

Goodbye 66 wnbc going to miss you

[@revinhatol]

14:18

[@scottburton9701]

Miss Imus!

[@marchoffman6878]

WNBC 660 AM

[@cengeb]

W NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNBC

[@x-rockfm92hd81]

WNBC INTERNET LIKE WCFL WIXY 1260 TIME MACHINE LIVES AM STEREO

[@marchoffman6878]

wnbc 660 am

[@colettenasielski4399]

Goodbye WNBC Hello

[@haskeymorrison]

14:13 53321

[@kjdickson]

AM in NYC is for traffic/sports/talk now. When they got rid of Howard they sealed their fate. Imus was never funny or talented or worth listening to. The proof, when Howard took him on in the mornings and dominated the ratings from 1985 to 2005. WNBC got what they deserve. Good riddance.

[@the1trueking1966-t]

Idiot, you're fucked in the head. Imus is fantastic and so is Stern

[@cengeb]

AM AND FM are DEAD industry..Satellite IS what matters..FM is AM just without the annoying static now. When WNEW-FM and others in the 60's, actually had stuff to listen to, now it all SUCKS...Allison Steele, the night bird, and Hits from England Scott Munie, who hated Stern, as Stern mocked him all the time, Allison Steele did a great skit, voicing for Stern about Larry of the three stooges at WoodStock, it's FUNNY, in her serious voice

[@melisa1439]

Stern is the king 👑

[@marchoffman6878]

wnbc 660 am

[@marchoffman6017]

WNBC 660 AM

[@marchoffman6878]

wnbc 660 am