End Of An Era: CBS News Radio’s Final Newscast Airs Friday; Here’s The Plan

CBS News Radio is preparing to sign off for good Friday night, ending a run that dates back nearly a century. The network’s final newscast will air at 11:31 p.m., bringing an end to one of the most recognizable radio news brands in broadcasting history. As previously reported, many affiliates have already made other arrangements ahead of the shutdown, including WTOP, which switched from CBS to ABC earlier this month.

The final hour of CBS News Radio coverage will have a local connection. Veteran Washington broadcaster Christopher Cruise will anchor both the 11 p.m. and 11:31 p.m. final newscasts live from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York. The 11 p.m. report will consist entirely of a tribute to CBS News Radio through the years. Another familiar local voice, Maryland-based Michael Toscano, will handle the network’s final overnight shift tonight into Friday morning.

Update 5/22: For those hoping to hear the network’s last moments live, WTOP has announced they will carry the 11 and 11:31 newscasts. And if you miss it live, DCRTV plans to post the audio from the final broadcasts afterward.