Crawford Joins Top Broadcasters to Accelerate Move to iBiquity's HD Radio Technology

Crawford Joins Top Broadcasters to Accelerate Move to iBiquity's HD Radio Technology

To Begin Multicast Tests This Fall With Its FM Stations

DENVER, July 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The Crawford Broadcasting Company announced today that it has joined the coalition of radio broadcast groups supporting digital HD Radio(TM) technology with a plan to convert the majority of its stations to HD Radio over the next three years. Taking a leadership role in the development of multicast channels, Crawford has obtained experimental authority from the Federal Communications Commission to test HD Radio multicasting on all of its FM HD Radio stations. These tests are scheduled to get underway shortly in key markets.

Today, five Crawford stations are up and broadcasting with HD Radio technology: WMUZ(FM) in Detroit, MI; WPTR(FM) in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY; WPWX(FM) and WSRB(FM) in Chicago, IL; and WYRB(FM) in Genoa, IL. Additionally, HD Radio conversions are underway in Buffalo, NY; Rochester, NY; and Birmingham, AL, all of which are scheduled to be on the air in July. Three Denver AM stations will be on the air with HD Radio signals this fall.

"Our commitment to HD Radio technology represents our firm belief that this is the future of terrestrial broadcasting -- and we are on the threshold of that future," said Crawford's Director of Engineering, Cris Alexander. "We are pleased with our early experiences with HD Radio and excited about what is to come, with more, lower-cost receivers available and more HD Radio signals coming to air throughout the U.S. HD Radio will truly revolutionize AM listening, and FM multicasting/datacasting will bring entirely new dimensions to radio. This free, local and digital-quality content is how we will successfully compete with space-based broadcasting."

Robert Struble, President and CEO, iBiquity Digital Corporation, the sole developer and licensor HD Radio technology, said, "Crawford Broadcasting was instrumental in pioneering digital radio in Detroit and Chicago. We are pleased to see that Crawford is taking its efforts to the next level with the creation of multicast channels."

Over 420 stations across the country have already converted to HD Radio technology with 2,500 more in the process of launching on the new digital platform. On average, a station a day is upgrading to HD Radio digital technology.

HD Radio broadcasting offers AM and FM radio listeners drastically improved sound, more programming choices and interactive data features. The technology works by transmitting digital audio and data alongside existing AM and FM analog signals, allowing listeners with HD Radio-compatible receivers to enjoy CD-quality sound on FM and FM-quality sound on AM. In addition to the improved sound, consumers will experience new services such as: scrolling text on receiver display screens (e.g., artist names & song titles, weather forecasts, community news); real-time traffic updates; and multicasting -- a feature that allows FM stations to broadcast more than one channel of programming over current, single frequencies. With an historic agreement announced by 22 of the nation's largest broadcast groups in January 2005 and matching funds provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, over 2,500 stations across the country are in the process of converting to HD Radio technology.

In 2005, HD Radio receiver products will be available from: ADA, Alpine, Boston Acoustics, DaySequerra, Eclipse, JVC, Kenwood, Panasonic, Polk Audio, Radiosophy, Rotel, Sanyo and Yamaha.

About Crawford Broadcasting Company

Crawford Broadcasting Company is the industry leader in reaching radio's most loyal and responsive audience, providing the very best in Christian and secular programming with cutting-edge radio station facilities. Founded in 1959, the Crawford Broadcasting Company has a rich history as the pioneer in Christian broadcasting. The company currently operates 29 AM and FM radio stations in 12 markets from coast to coast. Strong clusters with exciting possibilities and economies of scale exist in Chicago, Detroit, Portland, Denver, Colorado Springs, St. Louis and Birmingham. For more information, please visit our website http://www.crawfordbroadcasting.com/.

Source: Crawford Broadcasting Company

CONTACT: Elizabeth McGuire of Crawford Broadcasting, +1-303-433-5500,
emcguire@crawfordbroadcasting.com; or Gil Chorbajian of Ogilvy PR,
+1-518-355-0966, Gil.chorbajian@ogilvypr.com, for HD Radio(TM)

Web site: http://www.ibiquity.com/
http://www.crawfordbroadcasting.com/

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