WFAN (AM)

WFAN pioneered, and has been the most successful example of, the sports radio format. Over the years, WFAN has been the broadcast home to several big names in the world of radio, including the sports-talk team of Mike and the Mad Dog (Mike Francesa and Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo) and the political commentator Don Imus, whose Imus in the Morning program is now nationally syndicated.

Switcheroo

Across town WFAN, then on 1050 kHz, was launched at 3PM on July 1, 1987, replacing WHN, and billing itself as the world's first twenty-four-hour-per-day sports talk station.

Related Topics:
July 1 - 1987 - WHN

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When NBC eliminated their radio division in 1988, the WNBC license was sold to Emmis Communications who had 1050 WFAN and 103.5 WQHT. In October 1988 WFAN moved down the radio dial to replace it at 660 kHz (which has a much stronger signal) while 1050 kHz was sold off. The long history of NBC radio had come to an end.

Related Topics:
Emmis Communications - WQHT - October - 1988

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In the compicated switch that saw WFAN move to the 660 frequency, the 1050 frequency that was formerly the home of WFAN became the home of a new spanish station. Over on the FM side, Emmis's Hot 103.5 WQHT moved to 97.1 FM (which was NBC's then Country WYNY). Emmis sold 1050 to SBS and 103.5 to Westwood One. Westwood One moved the intellectual WYNY country unit to 103.5. However, SBS had an AM station already on 620, and in those days, radio station owners could own only one AM station in a market. As a result, SBS received a temporary waiver to run 1050 as a non-commercial spanish music station while selling 1050 for 97.9 from a Jewish group. The group, which went by the name of Forward Communications, then took 97.9 WEVD's programming and moved it to 1050. SBS would then begin to program 97.9 FM as a spanish-music station.

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