CBS will shut down its storied radio service on Friday, closing a chapter on one of the most influential institutions in American broadcasting history.
The decision marks the end of a legacy that began nearly 100 years ago. CBS Radio helped pioneer the format and standards of modern broadcast journalism, setting the template that generations of reporters and anchors have followed. Its airwaves featured some of the medium’s greatest voices, including Edward R. Murrow, whose wartime reporting from Europe defined radio news during World War II; Robert Trout, known for his steady coverage of major events; and Charles Osgood, whose distinctive style and “Newsbreak” segments became listener favorites.
At its peak, CBS Radio was a powerhouse of information and storytelling, delivering everything from breaking national and international news to cultural programming that reached millions of Americans. It shaped public understanding of major historical moments and established the principles of ethical, in-depth electronic journalism that influenced both radio and television.
The upcoming closure ends a long-running service that, while evolving with the industry, remained a symbol of traditional broadcast excellence in an era increasingly dominated by digital and on-demand media.