Here's a online station based on the rhythmic/dance era of Milwaukee's WLUM-FM 101.9 "Hot 102" before its change to alternative rock in 1994. If one wants to find a station similar to classic-era B96, here's a good option.
Looking through the playlist on OnlineRadioBox, this station seems to be quite large as they play a lot of different songs. Although 80s/90s based, it does play tracks from the 70s and 2000s. So far, I'm impressed despite just finding out about this online station a few days ago.
Hi disman. I ran across them about a year ago. I give all fan run streams props and kudos. But I do not like it, notably the non dance titles. They are envisioning what HOT102 would be after they left the air, which means it is revisionist history and it is their right to do so.
I can hear Destiny's Child (1999) which they were playing about an hour ago, anywhere and often on the radio. I can't hear majority of what WQHT Hot 97/1035 anywhere on the radio and limited places online, hence that is valuable to me.
Side note, there is another fan based Hot97/1035 fan stream I found out there. It is not the one with the original jocks and voiced by Harry Legg. It is very similar but the production is not as detailed as the one run by JOHNNY PALUMBO & team.
I have been listening to both for years. I agree, Hot 102 is more R&B/funk with some dance. Provides variety for me. I just discovered the Live 365 version of Hot 97/103. Much broader playlist than the Harry Legg/Johnny P. station. I like both for different reasons but it's crazy there are 2 tributes for Hot 97 and none for killer B 96 era in Chicago. I listen to Hot 97 a lot!! Hot 97 was better than B 96 imo. But B 96 still played some stuff Hot 97 did not. But no complaints. 2 Hot tributes better than zero and better than any station today.
I am well aware of both Hot 97 tribute stations. I listen to both very often. In terms of presentation, the Originator is better with the extra content (i.e. Disco showcase, mixes, American Dance Traxx flashbacks). Both stations do occasionally play a post-1993 track but not very often (they don't go past 1994 as the real Hot 97 was all hip hop by then).
Another similar station I occasionally tune in whenever I listen to online radio is Miami One Radio, which is a partial tribute to WPOW "Power 96" Miami during its dance/rhythmic days and also occasionally air classic airchecks from that station and other Miami-based rhythmic stations. Some of the DJs from that era are involved in that online station. Since this is Miami, expect to hear more bass music and freestyle instead of house.
So far, the closest to a more "Chicago-style" classic dance station on internet radio is the nighttime music block on Dance Music Experience Radio, which plays several WBMX/B96/Energy 92.7 tracks though repetition can occur since the station's song playlists are divided into music blocks (R&B in the morning, Pop in the afternoon, Dance at night). A Chicago-based DJ mixer named Alan Hype runs that station. There was an attempt at a classic B96 tribute station called Dance Beat Radio but that shut down earlier last year.
Going back to the original topic, Hot 102 Milwaukee station does occasionally play newer tracks and they do sound out-of-place as the station is more 80s/90s focused. Despite this, this is one of the better options, alongside the two Hot 97 stations, if one wants a hear a classic-B96 style online station.
on June 29, 2025, 2:25 pm