When did Billboard start compiling the top 50 country hits of the week?

Billboard magazine began compiling the top 50 country songs in America on Jan. 11, 1964. In 1966, the county hit list was expanded to 75 top songs and to 100 top songs in 1973. As of 2015, Billboard currently ranks the top 50 Hot Country Songs.

In 1990, Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart reverted back to a list of 75 singles. The same year, Billboard began using Arbitron ratings to rank songs.

The first country hit lists from Billboard comprised two to eight of the most popular jukebox songs of the week. In October 1958, Billboard standardized the chart to include the top 30 country songs.