New York City Loses Country Music on the Radio Again

1996 was the last time that country music was heard on the regular FM airwaves in New York City. I don't want to give anyone a long radio history lesson here, but In February 1996 country music ended on WYNY at 103.5 FM. At that point in time it became WKTU as a rhythmic/dance station billed as the Beat of New York. Since that time there were a few suburbans stations who played country music, but they changed formats. When HD2 radio stations became available in 2006, 103.5 HD2 became a country music station.

Today 103.5 HD2 became a rhythmic station appealing to a gay and lesbian audience. It is now known as Pride Radio. I believe that the owner Clear Channel has this format on HD2 stations in othr markets. Right now I am listening to country music on Sirius/XM. People in NYC who like country music will have to get it from internet streams.