Radio One Buffalo Launches New US Country Station

The new station replaces the former 1270 The Patriot format in the Buffalo market.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Country

Screen-print poster illustration of a classic acoustic guitar and vintage radio console, evoking a nostalgic country music theme. — Radio One Buffalo has transitioned its station, formerly known as 1270 The Patriot, to a new nostalgic country music brand. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you tune in to a local radio station playing classic country hits from previous decades?

Radio One Buffalo has officially launched its new radio station, US Country, following the discontinuation of the Conservative Talk format on 1270 The Patriot. The station features country music from the 1980s through the early 2000s.

Why it matters

The change rebrands the local airwaves by shifting away from talk radio to focus on a nostalgic country music format. This adjustment aims to capture a specific regional audience interested in hits from the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

The new station utilizes three frequencies for its broadcast: 1270 kHz for WUSW in Niagara Falls, 93.3 MHz for W227BW in Amherst, and 95.1 MHz for W236EB in Buffalo.

The players

Liz Mantel

She is a radio personality who will host the morning show starting in December 2026.

Buddy Shula

He is an established radio broadcaster who joins the air staff for the new US Country station.

Ken Johnson

He serves as a special advisor to the newly launched radio station.

The details

After concluding its previous format in September 2026, the station aired a temporary simulcast of Big WECK and a weekend of Halloween music before debuting the US Country brand. The new lineup includes Buddy Shula, Aaron James, Greg Ireland, and Wendy Lynn, with Ken Johnson serving as a special advisor.

The 1270 The Patriot format ended in September 2026.
The station broadcasted Halloween music from October 24-25, 2026.
US Country officially launched on October 26, 2026.
Liz Mantel begins hosting morning shows in December 2026.

Industry Dynamics

The launch of US Country follows a trend where local broadcasters move away from niche political talk formats in favor of music-focused alternatives. This shift reflects broader industry efforts to consolidate listener bases through genre-specific programming that emphasizes nostalgia.

Listeners in the Buffalo area can now access the new country format across three distinct frequencies rather than the previous single-band setup. Residents can tune in on 1270 kHz, 93.3 MHz, or 95.1 MHz to hear music from the 1980s through the early 2000s.

The takeaway

Radio listeners should note the change in dial availability as the station transitions to its new music format. Fans of morning radio can expect a shift in programming content starting this December.