WFAN To Begin 101.9 FM Simulcast On Friday

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- So it begins! WFAN sports radio will launch its 660 AM-101.9 FM simulcast this Friday at 12:01 a.m.

Afternoon-drive host Mike Francesa made the announcement shortly after 1 p.m. on Monday.

Earlier this 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.

The move will immediately broaden the audience and reach of WFAN's award-winning pair programming, which 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.