WFAN Radio Launches 660 AM-101.9 FM Simulcast

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- For 25 years, four months and one day, WFAN made its terrestrial radio home solely on the AM dial.

Friday marked Day 1 of FM transmission.

At 12:01 a.m., WFAN launched its 660 AM-101.9 FM simulcast.

The first voice heard on WFAN-AM was that of Suzyn Waldman. Fittingly, Waldman, as a guest of Steve Somers, had the call as WFAN ushered in a new era.

LISTEN: Waldman & Somers take WFAN into FM

"Thanks for having me do this," Waldman told Somers. "This was fun. It's just very exciting."

Last month, CBS RADIO, a division of CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS), announced it had signed a definitive agreement to purchase 101.9 FM from Merlin Media for $75 million.

LISTEN: Yes, there's a new jingle!

WFAN's award-winning programming will continue to be broadcast on-air at 660 AM, online at wfan.com/cbsnewyork.com, and via the Radio.com app for a variety of mobile devices.

"This is an extremely exciting opportunity to expand our radio presence in the nation's largest market," CBS RADIO President and CEO Dan Mason said in a statement on Oct. 8. "Sports is a very popular format and a huge growth category for our business. As a result of this new asset, we look forward to The FAN building on its position as the leading sports radio franchise in the country."

WFAN pioneered the all-sports format when it launched on July 1, 1987, becoming the first radio station where listeners could hear and talk about sports 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It has been the most-listened-to station of its kind since it signed on the air. WFAN is home to leading personalities Mike Francesa, Boomer Esiason, Craig Carton, Joe Benigno, Evan Roberts and Steve Somers, and is the flagship station for the New York Giants, New York Mets, Brooklyn Nets and New Jersey Devils.