Listen to article \u2022\u00a00:00 min<\/p>\n
Philadelphia-area pop radio station The New 96.5 FM is rebranding to country hits under the banner US 96.5, the station\u2019s owner announced.<\/p>\n
Audacy, the second-largest radio company in the country, on Monday launched US 96.5, where it will play \u201ccountry hits and new releases.\u201d Through Oct. 24, the station will be commercial-free.<\/p>\n
Official weekday programming begins on Oct. 26 with national and regionally syndicated radio programs, like Audacy\u2019s \u201cKatie and Company\u201d and \u201cCoop\u2019s Rocking Country,\u201d filling the time slots from 10 a.m. to 5 a.m. each weekday. A new morning show that will air weekdays from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. will be announced shortly, according to Audacy.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson did not immediately answer whether there were layoffs at the station.<\/p>\n
In announcing the new Philly-area country radio station, which will compete with the longstanding country powerhouse 92.5 WXTU, Audacy\u2019s country format vice president, Tim Roberts, pointed to Morgan Wallen, Ella Langley, Luke Combs, and Jelly Roll as top artists in rotation.<\/p>\n
\u201cCountry music has a special way of connecting people, and we are excited to bring a brand-new destination to this important market,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cAdding US 96.5 in Philadelphia expands our footprint and brings even more world-class entertainment to our listeners \u2014 it\u2019s a terrific addition to Audacy\u2019s strong station lineup in the city.\u201d<\/p>\n
US 96.5 will be Audacy\u2019s 24th country station, among the company\u2019s more than 220 stations. <\/p>\n
The Philadelphia-based broadcaster has made changes to the station for years following financial turmoil. The New 96.5 brand was formed directly following the fiscal quarter in 2023<\/a> when Audacy reported $36 million in losses. In 2024, Audacy filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy<\/a> after it began missing interest payments on loans. <\/p>\n Monday\u2019s rebrand concludes The New 96.5\u2019s three-year stint as the hot adult contemporary music station. At one point in between the transition from Today\u2019s Hits to The New 96.5, the station was branded as Ninety-Swift-Five T-A-Y<\/a> during Taylor Swift<\/a>\u2019s four-night shows at Lincoln Financial Field in 2023.<\/p>\n