You hear the teletype. That rapid-fire, rhythmic clicking isn’t just background noise; for millions of people in the tri-state area, it’s the sound of the city moving. If you’ve ever spent time stuck in traffic on the BQE or waiting for a delayed subway at 6:00 AM, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Radio 10 10 AM, known formally by its call sign 1010 WINS, is a beast of a station. It’s one of those rare media entities that hasn’t just survived the digital age—it has stayed weirdly essential.
Most people think AM radio is a graveyard for fringe talk shows and static. Honestly, in a lot of cities, that’s true. But New York is different. The "all news, all the time" format wasn't just a catchy slogan when they adopted it in 1965; it was a gamble that changed how we consume information.
The 22-Minute Cycle and Why It Works
"Give us 22 minutes, and we'll give you the world."
It’s iconic. But have you ever actually timed it? The station runs on a clock so precise it would make a Swiss watchmaker sweat. It isn't just about the news. It’s the rhythm. You get the top stories, then the "Traffic and Transit on the 1s," then weather, then sports. Then it loops.
This structure is a psychological masterstroke. You don't listen to radio 10 10 AM for three hours straight unless you’re having a very bad day on the Long Island Expressway. You dip in. You get what you need. You dip out. This "appointment listening" is why, despite the rise of Twitter (now X) and push notifications, the station remains a top biller in the Manhattan market. People trust the teletype more than a random tweet from a guy named "NYCFireAlerts99."
The precision is handled by legendary voices. Think about Lee Harris or Brigitte Quinn. These aren't just "announcers." They are the frantic, steady heartbeat of a city that is constantly on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
The AM vs. FM Identity Crisis
Something big happened recently that many long-time listeners are still wrapping their heads around. Audacy, the parent company, started simulcasting the station on 92.3 FM.
Why?
Because AM signals hate skyscrapers. And New York has a few of those.
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The move to FM wasn't a sign that radio 10 10 AM was dying. It was a survival tactic against electromagnetic interference. If you’re driving through the Lincoln Tunnel, AM signal quality can get dicey. Switching to FM ensures the "on the 1s" traffic reports don't turn into a wall of white noise right when you need to know if the George Washington Bridge is a parking lot.
But for the purists? The 1010 AM frequency is where the soul lives. There’s a specific warmth to that low-fidelity signal. It sounds like history. It sounds like your grandfather’s kitchen radio and your first car’s dashboard all at once.
Behind the Teletype: Real Boots on the Ground
One thing people get wrong is thinking this is just a bunch of people reading a wire service. It isn't. 1010 WINS has one of the most robust local newsrooms in the country. When there’s a water main break in Washington Heights, they don't just wait for the AP to write a blurb. They have reporters like Juliet Papa who have been pounding the pavement for decades.
They cover the stuff that doesn't make the national evening news. The local school board fights. The specific subway line that’s running with "moderate delays" because of a signal problem at DeKalb Avenue. That hyper-locality is the "moat" that protects them from giants like Apple News or CNN.
Traffic and Transit on the Ones
Let's be real: this is the only reason half the listeners tune in. In a city where a stalled car on the Kosciuszko Bridge can ruin your entire Tuesday, the traffic report is a literal lifeline.
The "on the 1s" rule is sacred. 7:01, 7:11, 7:21. If they missed it, there would probably be a riot in the streets of Secaucus. They use a mix of DOT cameras, helicopter feeds, and—this is the cool part—listener tips. People actually call in to tell the station about debris on the road. It’s a community of frustrated commuters helping each other survive the daily grind.
The Evolution of the Sound
If you listen closely, the teletype sound has changed over the years. It’s a sound effect now, obviously. Back in the day, it was the actual sound of newsroom machines. They keep it because it creates a sense of urgency. It tells your brain: Something is happening right now.
Digital transformation has been weird for them. You can stream radio 10 10 AM on the Audacy app now. You can listen on a smart speaker. But the core product hasn't changed. They didn't pivot to "long-form investigative podcasts" as their primary brand. They stayed in their lane. They stayed fast.
There’s a lesson there for any business. In a world of "pivot to video" and AI-generated content, there is immense value in being the one thing people can rely on to be exactly what it says it is.
Acknowledging the Limitations
Is it perfect? No. The 22-minute format means depth is sacrificed for speed. If you want a deep dive into the nuances of a new housing bill, you aren't going to get it here. You get the "what" and the "where," but rarely the "why" in a way that satisfies a policy wonk.
Also, the ads. My god, the ads. If I hear one more commercial for a law firm specializing in construction accidents or a "miracle" supplement, I might lose it. But that’s the trade-off for free, 24/7 local news. The bills have to be paid, and the local businesses of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut are the ones paying them.
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How to Get the Most Out of 1010 WINS
If you're new to the city or just trying to optimize your morning, here is how you actually use this station without going crazy.
- Sync your exits. If you’re leaving the house, time it for the "1s." If you walk out the door at 8:01, you’ll know exactly which subway lines are messed up before you even hit the turnstile.
- Use the FM flip. If you're in a high-density area like Midtown, toggle over to 92.3 FM. The audio is clearer, and you won't get that annoying buzz from the power lines.
- Don't over-listen. Use the 22-minute rule for yourself. Listen for one full cycle to get the bird's eye view, then switch to your music or a podcast. If you leave it on all day, the repetition will start to feel like a psychological experiment.
- Check the website for the "long" version. Their digital arm actually does decent write-ups of the stories they're reporting. If a headline catches your ear, go to the site for the details they didn't have time to read on air.
Radio 10 10 AM is a survivor. It survived the rise of TV, the death of newspapers, and the explosion of the internet. It works because it respects your time. It knows you're busy, it knows you're stressed, and it just wants to give you the facts so you can get where you're going. That’s a service that doesn't go out of style.