If you’ve ever spent time stuck in traffic on the BQE or sitting in a dimly lit kitchen in the suburbs of Jersey, you know the sound. It’s that familiar crackle, the immediate burst of a caller from Staten Island losing their mind over a bullpen decision, and the steady, authoritative hum of 660 AM. We’re talking about radio 660 New York, better known to the world as WFAN. It isn't just a frequency on the dial. Honestly, for a lot of us, it’s the soundtrack to being a New Yorker.
But here is the thing.
Most people think sports talk radio was always a "thing." It wasn't. Before 1987, the idea of people talking about batting averages and point spreads for 24 hours a day sounded like a recipe for a quick bankruptcy. Then 660 AM flipped the switch.
The station actually started its life as WEAF way back in 1922. It was a pioneer then, and it’s a powerhouse now. When the station transitioned to WFAN in the late 80s, it moved from 1050 AM over to the 660 spot, taking over the clear-channel signal previously occupied by WNBC. That move changed everything. Because 660 AM is a "clear channel" station, its 50,000-watt signal travels an absurd distance. At night, when the atmosphere starts acting like a mirror for radio waves, you can sometimes hear the Mets game or a heated Giants debate as far away as Florida or eastern Canada.
The Day the World Changed for 660 AM
It’s hard to overstate how risky the "All Sports" format felt back in '87. At first, it kind of sucked. The ratings were abysmal. People didn't know what to make of it. But then, the station leaned into the personalities. They realized that radio 660 New York shouldn't just be about scores; it had to be about the argument.
Enter Mike and the Mad Dog.
Mike Francesa and Christopher Russo. If you know, you know. They were the gold standard. For 19 years, they defined what it meant to be an "expert" on the air. They didn't just read stats; they performed them. They fought. They hung up on callers. They became the blueprint for every single sports talk show you hear today on ESPN or Fox Sports.
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While the station has seen plenty of turnover—Russo leaving for SiriusXM, the rise and fall and rise again of Craig Carton, the steady presence of Boomer Esiason—the frequency itself remains the constant. It’s the "Big 660."
Why the Signal is Actually a Technical Marvel
You ever wonder why 660 AM sounds better than that random station at the end of the dial? It’s all about the transmitter location. The radio 660 New York signal broadcasts from High Island, a tiny, rocky speck in Long Island Sound near City Island in the Bronx.
Being surrounded by salt water is basically a cheat code for AM radio. Salt water is highly conductive. It helps "push" the groundwave signal further than if the towers were sitting in a dry field in the middle of a desert. This is why you can be deep in a valley in Connecticut and still hear the morning show crystal clear.
- The transmitter power is 50,000 watts.
- The "Class A" designation gives it protection from interference over vast distances.
- It shares a tower with 880 AM (the old WCBS, now also under the Audacy umbrella), which is a rare feat of engineering.
The 660 frequency is a prime piece of "real estate." In the radio world, it’s the equivalent of owning a penthouse overlooking Central Park. You don't just get the listeners; you get the reach.
The "Fan" Identity and the Digital Shift
Let’s be real: AM radio is supposed to be dead. We have podcasts. We have Twitter (or X, whatever). We have 24/7 highlights on our phones. So why does radio 660 New York still command so much attention?
It’s the community.
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There is something visceral about knowing that ten thousand other people are hearing the exact same rant at the exact same time as you. It’s live. It’s raw. When a New York team loses a heartbreaker in the playoffs, you don't go to a podcast that was recorded three days ago. You turn on 660. You want to hear the pain. You want to hear the anger.
But the station hasn't just stayed stuck in the 1920s. Under its parent company, Audacy, WFAN has successfully bridged the gap to the digital age. You’ve got the stream on the app, the "Yankees on 660" broadcasts that are legendary, and the video simulcasts.
What Most People Get Wrong About 660 AM
A common misconception is that the station is only for "old heads." Sure, the demographic skews a bit older because of the medium, but the "Boomer and Gio" morning show or the afternoon drives still dictate the sports conversation in the city. If a host on 660 says the Jets should fire their coach, it becomes a headline in the Post and the News the next morning.
The influence is still there. It’s just distributed differently.
Interestingly, 660 AM used to be the home of some pretty legendary non-sports figures too. Back when it was WNBC, it was the home of Don Imus and even Howard Stern for a brief, chaotic period. The "Shock Jock" era actually paved the way for the aggressive, opinionated sports talk that defines the station today. It’s all connected. The DNA of 660 is built on being loud and being first.
How to Get the Most Out of Radio 660 New York Today
If you’re new to the area or just getting into sports, don't just listen for the scores. Listen for the "theatre" of it.
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- The Morning Show: This is where you get the "watercooler" talk. It’s less about deep-dive scouting reports and more about the vibes of the city.
- The Midday Slots: Usually more technical, focused on the "why" of the games.
- The Drive Time: This is the heavy hitter. This is where the big opinions live.
- Late Night: This is where the true die-hards (and the occasional crazies) call in. It’s some of the most entertaining radio you’ll ever hear.
The beauty of 660 is that it’s a living, breathing thing. It changes with the seasons. It’s baseball-heavy in the summer and dominated by the NFL and NBA in the winter.
Actionable Insights for the Modern Listener
To truly experience radio 660 New York like a local, you need to go beyond just turning the knob.
First, get a decent radio. If you’re listening on a cheap clock radio, you’re going to get a lot of buzz from your LED lights and your phone charger. AM signals are susceptible to electromagnetic interference. If you want that crisp, old-school sound, move the radio away from other electronics.
Second, use the Audacy app if you’re out of the "footprint." You can hear the high-definition digital stream which cuts out all the static. It’s great, but honestly? There is something lost when you don't have that slight AM hum.
Third, follow the hosts on social media. The "show" doesn't end when they go to commercial. The arguments continue on X and Instagram, and often, the best "inside baseball" moments happen during the breaks.
Finally, if you’re going to call in, have a point. Don't start with "How are you doing today, Mike?" They don't care. Just get to your take. That’s the New York way.
The frequency at 660 AM has survived the rise of television, the invention of the internet, and the explosion of streaming. It’s still here because it provides something that an algorithm can’t: a genuine, human connection to the heartbeat of New York sports. Whether you’re a die-hard Yankees fan or just someone who likes to hear a good argument, 660 is the place where the city speaks.
To make the most of your listening experience, check your local signal strength during the day versus at night to see the "skip" effect in action. If you're looking for historical archives, sites like History of Sports Radio offer deep dives into the early WFAN lineups that started it all. For the most direct access, keep the Audacy app updated to ensure you can jump from the AM feed to the FM simulcast on 101.9 without losing the signal in the Midtown tunnels.