WKTU

WKTU. WKTU is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Lake Success, New York, and serving the New York metropolitan area. Owned by Audacy, Inc., it broadcasts a rhythmic contemporary format from studios at the Hudson Yards neighborhood in Manhattan. The station has a storied history, most famously as a defining disco outlet in the late 1970s before evolving through various dance music and Top 40 formats to its current identity.

History

The station first signed on in 1948 as W71NY, a Class B facility owned by the St. John's University College of Pharmacy. It was sold in 1962 to Sonderling Broadcasting, which changed its call letters to WKTU and initially programmed a beautiful music format. The station's most transformative period began in 1978 under new owner Malrite Communications, when program director Frankie Crocker and consultant Tommy Edwards re-launched it as "Disco 92", capitalizing on the massive popularity of the disco movement epitomized by films like Saturday Night Fever and hits from Donna Summer and the Bee Gees. Following the backlash against disco, WKTU shifted to a dance-pop oriented Top 40 format in the 1980s, often competing directly with Z100. After a brief stint as a country music station under the calls WYNY in the early 1990s, the station was purchased by Evergreen Media and returned to the air as "KTU 103.5" in 1996 with a rhythmic dance format, successfully reviving the brand.

Programming

WKTU's current rhythmic contemporary format blends current hip-hop, pop, and dance music hits, targeting a young adult demographic. The station is known for its high-energy presentation and remains a primary outlet for dance-pop artists. Its weekday lineup includes the syndicated Elvis Duran and the Morning Show originating from co-owned WHTZ, followed by local hosts such as Cubby Bryant and Tonia in drivetime slots. Weekend programming features specialty shows like Club KTU, focusing on electronic dance music, and often hosts major concert events like the KTUphoria festival. The station's playlist and music rotation are carefully curated to maintain its position as a leading outlet for rhythmic crossover hits in the competitive New York radio market.

Signal coverage and technical information

WKTU broadcasts at 103.5 MHz with an effective radiated power of 6,000 watts from a transmitter site in the Empire State Building, sharing the antenna with sister stations WCBS-FM and WINS. Its signal, radiating from an antenna height of 415 meters above average terrain, provides a primary coverage area encompassing the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, Westchester County, and much of northern New Jersey, reaching millions of potential listeners. The station is also available nationwide via streaming media on the iHeartRadio platform and through HD Radio technology, where its HD2 subchannel carries a throwback format.

Impact and recognition

WKTU is widely credited with popularizing disco music on the radio and played a pivotal role in the cultural phenomenon of the late 1970s, at one point achieving record-breaking Arbitron ratings shares. Its 1996 relaunch is considered one of the most successful format changes in New York City radio history, quickly topping the ratings. The station has received numerous industry accolades, including Marconi Awards for "Major Market Station of the Year" from the National Association of Broadcasters. Its events, like the annual KTUphoria concert, have become significant fixtures in the New York metropolitan area's entertainment scene. WKTU's influence is frequently cited in documentaries about radio broadcasting and the disco era.

Ownership and management

WKTU is owned and operated by Audacy, Inc., one of the largest radio broadcasting companies in the United States, which acquired the station as part of its purchase of CBS Radio in 2017. The station's license is held by Audacy License, LLC. Its studios are located within Audacy's New York headquarters at 285 Fulton Street in the Hudson Yards area. Key management figures have included market manager Chris Oliviero and program director Troy Hanson, who oversee the station's strategic direction within Audacy's portfolio of New York City stations, which also includes WCBS, WFAN, and WNYL.

Category:Radio stations in New York City Category:Audacy Category:Rhythmic contemporary radio stations in the United States