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So What Will Replace CBS News Radio?

Posted by ABRockNJock <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ABRockNJock' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 10, 2026, 4:02 pm

With last month's news that CBS News Radio will officially sign off for good May 22 after 99 years providing news from across America & around the world, there's an obvious question to be asked. Which national news service will replace it?

WBBM Newsradio 780 AM, which has been Chicago's all-news outlet dating back to 1968 and added an FM simulcast with 105.9 FM legally known as WCFS in 2011, will continue to provide news around the clock even as CBS News signs off next month.

One of the possible replacements may seem kinda weird on a station with a rich history such as WBBM. Right after CBS News announced the end of its nearly century old news service, NBC News Radio made a pitch of its own to provide "Your News. Your Choice. At a Fraction of the Cost."

For a station like WBBM, it would seem kinda weird for lack of a better word to consider being affiliated with NBC News Radio.

Then, there's this story which I'm going to bring to your attention now.

Starting the day after CBS News Radio signs off, Live Channel USA will launch a potential replacement simply entitled "Radio Network News", complete with split studios across the United States & a primary hub in London.

Could this be the potential national replacement for CBS News Radio? You can learn more about Live Channel USA's plan to fill the national & world news void here:

https://radioinsight.com/headlines/345968/live-channel-usa-to-launch-radio-network-news-upon-cbs-shutdown/

Re: So What Will Replace CBS News Radio?

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 10, 2026, 4:06 pm, in reply to "So What Will Replace CBS News Radio?"

ABRockNJock, nothing really weird about Newsradio 105.9 having NBC news headlines. WBBM is owned by Audacy. The only weird aspect could be WBBM used to be a CBS O&O station. That was years ago and beside radio geeks, the mass public would have no clue of that.

Why do you feel it would be weird?

Z

Re: So What Will Replace CBS News Radio?

Posted by John from Wisconsin <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=John+from+Wisconsin' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 10, 2026, 4:39 pm, in reply to "Re: So What Will Replace CBS News Radio?"

WLS AM carries Fox news. WLS was once ABC O&O.
Too, WIND also carries Fox. 2 stations, same city!

I guess my only comment, and I've said it before, who says you have to have news from anyone at the Top of the Hour?

Any new network is untested. Think Saturn, Yugo, Edsel, etc..... in the car department.

Will guarantee the suits know what they're going to do.

Re: So What Will Replace CBS News Radio?

Posted by ABRockNJock <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ABRockNJock' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 10, 2026, 6:06 pm, in reply to "Re: So What Will Replace CBS News Radio?"

Weird might not be the right word, but it would seem different hearing NBC News Radio on WBBM Newsradio 780 AM/105.9 FM after all these years airing CBS News Radio. This even though Audacy has owned Newsradio 780/105.9 for nearly 20 years now.

It's unclear which national news service that WBBM will utilize when CBS News Radio signs off next month, let alone some 700 other news stations nationwide.

WLS-AM 890 used to carry ABC News Radio for many years. Not anymore. They've switched on the radio side to FOX News Media, per its Wikipedia page. WLS-TV, better known as ABC 7, uses the world resources of ABC News.

It just sounds different. That's all.

Re: So What Will Replace CBS News Radio?

Posted by detectivetom <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=detectivetom' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 10, 2026, 6:31 pm, in reply to "Re: So What Will Replace CBS News Radio?"

I see the point of John on why anything is needed. On the other hand, if there is a breaking news story somewhere across the country, or D.C.for that matter, what do they do?

I was bummed when City News Bureau folded. Overnight news coverage citywide dropped.

Some type of national news is needed. Listeners do not care from where it comes.

Re: So What Will Replace CBS News Radio?

Posted by ABRockNJock <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ABRockNJock' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 10, 2026, 7:43 pm, in reply to "Re: So What Will Replace CBS News Radio?"

Ultimately, that’s what it boils down to. An outlet that has a strong, respected & trusted news outlet that fills the void of CBS News Radio when it comes to national, world & breaking news whenever it happens around the clock.

Re: So What Will Replace CBS News Radio?

Posted by John from Wisconsin <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=John+from+Wisconsin' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 11, 2026, 7:52 am, in reply to "Re: So What Will Replace CBS News Radio?"

" around the clock."

That's why WBBM is basically on repeat overnights?
Too, years ago, WBBM had many reporters. Now it's a flim-flam of "Rita Foley, Washington" "Jessica King, New York" and it seems well meshed together tho, interspersed through the hour.
WBBM, to me, is a bit less local, and that is because of costs, my guess.

It's not 2005 or 1973 anymore.

WMAQ (ancient history) ran local at the top of the hour for some time. Later, it was CNN.

Too, WJR, once ABC owned in Detroit, now carries Fox.
Things happen.

We live in interesting times.
My question: Do you really need to know of NY, California news at the top of the hour, or would local - city be much better?

I DO WISH they'd go back to sports at :15 & :45.
Expanded weather at :18 is an idea.
"Top Trending" at :45 is filler, to me.

Re: So What Will Replace CBS News Radio?

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 11, 2026, 8:25 am, in reply to "Re: So What Will Replace CBS News Radio?"

John, I think the answer is another question, will it really matter, especially on AM stations, in about 5 years? If you asked me last year I would have said 10 years. That snowball started rolling down the mountain a lot faster in the last year due to many events.

When they (Corporate America) are done with the AM band, the Grim Reaper will move over to the FM band.

Z

Re: So What Will Replace CBS News Radio?

Posted by detectivetom <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=detectivetom' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 11, 2026, 1:34 pm, in reply to "Re: So What Will Replace CBS News Radio?"

I would prefer local, but I bet they have cut down there also.

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