You’re stuck in a tunnel. The Spotify stream is buffering, the cellular data is a joke, and Jalen Brunson is currently cooking. It’s that desperate moment where you realize that despite all the fancy 5G tech we carry around, nothing beats the reliability of a signal bouncing through the airwaves. If you are hunting for the New York Knicks AM radio station, you aren't just looking for a frequency; you’re looking for the pulse of Madison Square Garden.
For years, the home for Knicks basketball on the AM dial has been WEPN (1050 AM), better known as ESPN New York. But honestly, it’s gotten a bit complicated lately. The way we listen to the "Bockers" has shifted because of massive corporate moves between Good Karma Brands and the big towers in the Meadowlands.
The Frequency Shuffle: Where to Find the Knicks Right Now
Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way first. Most fans today instinctively reach for 98.7 FM. That’s been the flagship for a long time. However, if you are specifically looking for the New York Knicks AM radio station, 1050 AM is your primary destination.
Why does 1050 AM exist alongside the FM signal? Range. Pure and simple. AM signals carry differently, especially at night when the ionosphere plays nice and lets those signals travel across state lines. If you're driving through the outskirts of the Tri-State area or tucked into a concrete corner of the city where FM signals die, 1050 AM is your lifeline.
It’s worth noting that the landscape shifted significantly in late 2024. ESPN New York (Good Karma Brands) actually stopped leasing the 98.7 FM signal. This move sent shockwaves through the local sports media scene. Suddenly, the AM signal—and the digital platforms—became the center of the universe for Knicks fans. If you have an old-school radio, 1050 is where the magic happens.
The Voices in Your Ear: Why We Listen
Radio isn't just about the score. If it were, we’d just check an app. It’s about the legendary Ed Cohen and Brendan Brown (or whoever is filling those heavy shoes in the rotation).
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Listening to a Knicks game on the radio is an entirely different experience than watching on MSG Network. On TV, Mike Breen gives you the "Bang!" but on the radio, the announcer has to paint the geometry of the court. They tell you Brunson is at the high-post, back to the basket, leaning into the defender. You hear the squeak of the sneakers. You hear the Garden crowd—that specific, high-pitched roar that only happens in Manhattan—bleeding through the announcer's mic.
"There is a certain grit to AM radio sports. The slight static, the warmth of the audio—it feels like New York basketball should feel."
Many fans actually prefer to mute the TV and sync up the radio broadcast. It’s a bit of a trick to get the timing right because of the digital delay, but for those who grew up with the sounds of Marv Albert, the radio call is the only "official" version of the game that counts.
Navigating the Blackouts and Digital Shifts
Look, sometimes 1050 AM is carrying a national broadcast or another event, especially during the hectic overlap of the NBA and NHL seasons when the Rangers are also playing. This is where the "New York Knicks AM radio station" search gets frustrating.
If the Knicks are bumped from 1050 AM, they don't just disappear. They often shift to secondary digital channels or the ESPN New York App.
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- The Flagship: WEPN 1050 AM.
- The Digital Backup: The TuneIn app or the ESPN New York app.
- The Satellite Option: SiriusXM often carries the home feed on their dedicated NBA channels (usually between 800-900 for specific team feeds).
The reality of 2026 is that the "station" is more of a brand than a single spot on a dial. But for the purists? That 1050 AM signal is the bedrock. It’s what you find when the internet fails and the game is on the line.
What Most People Get Wrong About AM Sports Radio
People think AM radio is dead. They think it's for talk shows and traffic reports. But for sports, specifically the Knicks, the AM signal is a powerhouse.
The "clear channel" nature of 1050 AM means that on a clear night, you can sometimes pick up the Knicks game as far north as Connecticut or as far south as Philadelphia. Try doing that with a standard FM signal without it turning into a static mess of pop music and local news.
Also, don't confuse 1050 AM with 660 AM (WFAN). That’s a common mistake. The Fan is the home of the Nets. If you tune into 660 looking for the Knicks, you’re going to hear a lot of talk about the Yankees or Mets, and you'll likely hear the rival broadcast from Brooklyn. If you want the blue and orange, stay on 1050.
How to Get the Best Signal in the City
If you’re actually using a physical radio in New York City, you know the struggle. The skyscrapers are basically giant signal blockers.
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- Placement: Put your radio near a window. Specifically, one that doesn't face another brick wall two feet away.
- Antenna Orientation: AM antennas are usually internal (ferrite rods). Sometimes, just rotating the entire radio 90 degrees makes the difference between "unbearable noise" and "crystal clear play-by-play."
- Grounding: If you are in an old pre-war building, the interference from old wiring can be brutal. Battery power often sounds cleaner than plugging the radio into the wall.
The Future of Knicks Broadcasts
The move away from 98.7 FM was a massive gamble. It signaled a bet on the AM signal and digital streaming. For the fan, it means you have to be more intentional. You can't just "find" the Knicks as easily by scanning the FM dial anymore.
You have to know the numbers. 1-0-5-0.
Whether the Knicks are in a rebuilding year or they are deep in the Eastern Conference Finals, the broadcast remains the most consistent part of the experience. It’s the same frequency your dad listened to, and maybe his dad too, even if the call letters have changed over the decades.
Actionable Steps for the Dedicated Listener
Don't wait until tip-off to figure out your audio situation. The Knicks schedule is grueling, and technical glitches happen.
- Program the Preset: If your car still has a physical radio, set "Preset 1" to 1050 AM right now.
- Download the App: Get the ESPN New York app as a fallback. It’s free, and it’s the most reliable way to hear the local call when you’re outside the broadcast radius.
- Check the Conflict Schedule: On nights when the Rangers and Knicks play simultaneously, check the ESPN New York social media accounts (X/Twitter) about an hour before the game. They will post exactly which game is on 1050 AM and which is relegated to the app or secondary signals.
- Invest in a Digital Pocket Radio: If you actually go to the games at the Garden, a small digital radio with headphones allows you to hear the play-by-play in real-time without the 30-second delay of a streaming app. It changes the way you see the game live.
The New York Knicks AM radio station is more than just a frequency; it’s a piece of New York sports infrastructure. Keep 1050 AM locked in, and you’ll never miss a moment of the action at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza.
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