At 1010 WINS, it’s all Ben, all the time

Malvernite discusses his career, life in the village, and the joy of teaching

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Ben Mevorach, 54, has been residing in Malverne for the past 25 years, yet still manages to keep a low profile despite his position as director of news and programming for 1010 WINS, the most listened to all news radio station in the United States.

The Herald spoke recently with Mevorach about the station’s 50th anniversary celebration, working in the news, patronizing our local businesses, and the water problems in Malverne.

H: 1010 WINS is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. What is the actual date and what is the station doing to celebrate?

BM:Our actual date is April 19 and we’ll be celebrating 50 years in the all-news format. Prior to that, it was a top 40 station. When the Beatles first came to New York, they went on one radio station, and it was 1010 WINS. We’ve always been completely engaged in the fabric of the New York area.

For our 50th, we have a year-long celebration. First, we’re identifying the most iconic things about the city, focusing on celebrities, athletes, food, movies/TV shows and newsmakers. We’ll be counting down the top ten in each category. In May, we’re asking people to submit amateur photos of moments in time that have a greater NY area theme to it, like Jones Beach, Central Park or Times Square, and then asking listeners to vote for the best. In June, we’re giving away things you can’t buy, like flying to Los Angeles and seeing a taping of Entertainment Tonight or seeing a taping of Blue Blood in New York. In the summer we’ll be doing the top 50 small businesses because we believe that’s New York’s backbone. September and October, we’re picking 50 local heroes.

We want to engage, interact and give back to the communities and people we serve.

H: You’ve been employed by 1010 WINS for 21 years. What’s your history and role at the radio station?

BM: I started as a part timer — I was the Long Island stringer. Then I became a full- time reporter, then news director, and now news and programming director. I’m primarily responsible for overseeing the news director, commercials, the hiring of anchors. Everything that happens here is under my purview.

H: Where did the catchphrase “You give us 22 minutes…” originate?

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