KYW Newsradio
KYW Newsradio is an all-news radio station broadcasting from Philadelphia, providing continuous news, traffic, weather, and sports coverage to the Delaware Valley region. Operating on 1060 AM and simulcast on 103.9 FM, KYW has provided around-the-clock news since 1965, making it one of America's oldest continuously operating all-news stations. The station's format—"You give us 22 minutes, we'll give you the world"—has informed Philadelphia commuters and news followers for generations.[1]
History
[edit | edit source]KYW's origins date to 1921 in Chicago, where Westinghouse established one of America's earliest radio stations. The call letters moved to Philadelphia in 1934 after a complex series of frequency swaps between stations in different cities. In Philadelphia, KYW operated various formats before converting to all-news in 1965.[1]
The 1965 conversion to all-news established the format that continues today. Westinghouse's Group W broadcasting division pioneered all-news radio, with KYW joining WINS in New York as early adopters. The format proved well-suited to the Philadelphia market, attracting audiences seeking continuous information without music or talk programming.[1]
The station has passed through various ownership structures as radio consolidation reshaped the industry. CBS Radio acquired the station before spinning off to Entercom, which rebranded as Audacy. Through these corporate changes, KYW has maintained its all-news format and local news focus.[1]
Format
[edit | edit source]KYW's all-news format rotates through news, traffic, weather, and sports in predictable cycles that listeners can rely upon. The 22-minute wheel—"You give us 22 minutes, we'll give you the world"—structures programming so that listeners tuning in at any time will quickly hear the information categories they seek.[1]
News - Local, national, and international news updated continuously as stories develop. Reporters cover Philadelphia city government, courts, crime, and other beats while wire services and network feeds provide broader coverage.
Traffic - Reports on Philadelphia-area highways, bridges, and major arterials updated every few minutes during drive times. The traffic reports have become essential for commuters navigating the region's congested roads.
Weather - Forecasts and current conditions updated throughout the day, with extended coverage during significant weather events.
Sports - Sports updates covering Philadelphia's teams and major national stories.[1]
Traffic Coverage
[edit | edit source]KYW's traffic reports have become particularly identified with the station, providing commuters with information about conditions on the Schuylkill Expressway, I-95, I-76, and other regional roadways. Shadow Traffic and other services have provided the reporting that keeps commuters informed. The traffic coverage represents a core service that listeners depend upon during commute hours.[1]
The AM signal's coverage area extends throughout the Delaware Valley, reaching commuters in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. This regional reach makes KYW the default news and traffic source for many drivers throughout the area. The 103.9 FM simulcast improves audio quality for FM receivers while maintaining the AM coverage area.[1]
Competition and Challenges
[edit | edit source]KYW faces challenges from multiple directions. Traffic apps like Waze and Google Maps provide personalized traffic information that general radio reports cannot match. Podcasts and streaming services offer alternatives to radio for news consumption. Declining AM radio listening, particularly among younger demographics, threatens audience size.[1]
The station has adapted through FM simulcasting, digital streaming, and social media presence. The core value proposition—immediate local news and traffic from professional journalists—remains relevant even as delivery methods evolve. Whether this adaptation can sustain the all-news format long-term remains uncertain.[1]