CBS News Radio, one of the pioneering forces in American broadcast journalism, operated for nearly 99 years before signing off for the final time on May 22, 2026. It helped invent modern radio news and set standards for on-the-spot reporting that influenced generations of journalists.
Founding and Early Years (1927–1930s)
CBS traces its roots to the United Independent Broadcasters, formed in early 1927. The network officially launched on September 18, 1927 (some sources cite September 27), with a live orchestra broadcast from flagship station WOR in Newark, New Jersey, and a small group of affiliates.Under William S. Paley, who acquired control in 1928–1929, CBS expanded rapidly into a national network. Early programming focused on music and entertainment, but news soon became central.
The first regular news segment appeared in 1929, and in 1930, Paley hired journalist Paul W. White as news editor.
The network made early headlines by breaking the Lindbergh baby kidnapping story in 1932 with live reporting, defying embargoes.
The Golden Age of Radio News (1930s–1940s)
CBS News Radio truly came into its own in the late 1930s. On March 13, 1938, it broadcast the first World News Roundup — often cited as the birth of modern broadcast journalism — covering the Anschluss (Germany’s annexation of Austria). Edward R. Murrow delivered his first report that day, and the program became America’s longest-running network newscast.
Murrow and his “Murrow Boys” (including William L. Shirer, Eric Sevareid, and others) delivered iconic reports from Europe during World War II, most famously Murrow’s rooftop broadcasts from London during the Blitz: “This is London.” These reports brought the war vividly into American homes.
Key milestones:
- Coverage of the 1938 World Series and a 1939 interview with Babe Ruth.
- Live reports on Pearl Harbor (1941), D-Day (1944), and other major events.
Post-War Era and Television Competition (1950s–1970s)
As television rose in the 1950s, radio shifted focus to news and information. CBS maintained strong radio operations with anchors like Douglas Edwards, Robert Trout, and later Charles Osgood and Dan Rather.
In the 1960s–1970s, CBS converted many owned AM stations to all-news formats (e.g., KNX in Los Angeles in 1967). The network continued providing hourly newscasts, features, and the World News Roundup to hundreds of affiliates.
Later Decades and Challenges (1980s–2020s)
CBS Radio remained influential through major events:
- Assassination of John F. Kennedy
- Civil Rights Movement
- Vietnam War
- Gulf War
- 9/11 attacks
- Space Shuttle disasters
At its peak, it reached approximately 700 affiliate stations across the U.S.
In 2017, CBS sold its owned-and-operated radio stations to Entercom (later Audacy), but retained CBS News Radio as a content provider under CBS News.
The Final Sign-Off (2026)
On March 20, 2026, CBS News announced it would shut down CBS News Radio effective May 22, 2026, citing shifting audience habits toward digital platforms and podcasts, along with challenging economic realities. The closure was part of a broader 6% staff reduction.
The final broadcast featured longtime anchors reflecting on the legacy, replaying Edward R. Murrow’s iconic sign-off — “Good night, and good luck” — before Christopher Cruise delivered the network’s last words.