Photo Credit: Florian Wehde
The last country music radio station in New York City is no more.
Audacy Inc. has converted WNSH-FM 94.7 is now branded ‘The Block.’ It’s described as New York’s #1 for throwbacks – music from the early ’90s a la Hot 97. “From the Apollo Theater to Lincoln Center, everyone is listening,” says a one-liner promotional for the radio station.
The Block will offer songs and artists that are synonymous with New York’s iconic hip-hop culture and that still strongly resonate with listeners today across all generations,” says Chris Oliviero, Senior Vice President and Market Manager for Audacy in New York.
“This was an opportunity to add a quintessential New York sound to our audio portfolio that has been missing in the area, while at the same time continuing to engage with our New York country audience through HD and digital platforms,” Oliviero adds.
Audacy has made similar changes across the country in Chicago and San Francisco. WBMX-FM ‘104.3 Jams’ is now on its fourth year of offering throwback hits in the Windy City. Just a week ago, San Francisco’s KITS-FM changed to the Adult Hits format, saying goodbye to the Alternative format after 35 years.
Listeners of the former ‘Country 94.7’ format can continue to listen on WNSH HD2. However, on-air personalities are no longer available for listening. WNSH had been a country radio station since January 2013, enjoying format exclusivity among NYC FM stations. Nashville music fans living in the city welcomed the station – but it has lost its luster in the last 24 months.
NYC suburbs still have WKMK-FM ‘Thunder 106’ for their country music listening. It’s also the number one ranked music station in its market.
