KEXP Radio Launches a Live Stream to Cell Phones and Handhelds!

KEXP Radio Launches a Live Stream to Cell Phones and Handhelds!

First-Ever for a Terrestrial Broadcaster

SEATTLE, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- KEXP 90.3/91.7FM and KEXP.ORG, Seattle's eclectic non-commercial music station, announces the launch of a live stream to mobile phones and handheld devices. This new service complements KEXP's groundbreaking first-ever pre-produced music podcast featuring full-length songs from albums and is another result of KEXP's technology partnership with the University of Washington.

KEXP offers a 32-kilobit MP3 or WindowsMedia stream optimized for cell phones and handheld devices using Palm and Windows CE operating systems.

Listeners with web-enabled phones can point to kexp.org and automatically view a new mobile version of the Webby award-winning KEXP website. To receive streaming audio, listeners must use a web-enabled phone or mobile device equipped with a media player and subscribe to a wireless carrier's data service. Some of the newer generation's car stereos will allow listeners to plug in their cell phones or handheld devices.

"This gives our listeners a terrific new way to stay connected to our programming. What a liberating experience it was recently to walk through San Francisco while listening with my cellphone to the live broadcast from KEXP's studios in Seattle. Listeners can now bring KEXP's live broadcast into their cars, homes or workplaces anywhere in the country," said KEXP Executive Director Tom Mara.

"Because we play such a wide and deep array of innovative, eclectic music, the number one question we receive is 'What is that song?' Listeners can now immediately learn the artist's name and song title as it scrolls across their mobile device's screen," Mara added.

KEXP -- in partnership with the computing and networking experts at the University of Washington -- has stayed on the forefront of developing and applying relevant, cutting-edge technology for the past five years. In 2000, the station became the first broadcaster in the world to offer uncompressed CD-quality audio on the Internet, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 1.4 megabits per second. In 2001 KEXP launched its real-time playlist application and in 2002 it unveiled its 14-Day Streaming Archive, a custom online feature allowing listeners to hear any portion of programming from the previous two weeks. In 2003, the station received a Webby nomination for best radio website, and won the ward with its second nomination in 2004. Last month, KEXP announced the first pre-produced music podcast featuring full-length songs.

More information is available at KEXP.ORG

About KEXP Public Radio

KEXP Radio is an influential, innovative non-commercial music radio station based in Seattle, supported by its membership of contributing listeners. KEXP programs a wide and deep mix of music spanning multiple genres, including alternative rock, electronic, hip-hop, roots, country, world, blues and in-depth specialty programs. Listeners enjoy this non- commercial service at 90.3FM in Seattle and 91.7FM in Tacoma and Olympia, and throughout the world at KEXP.org.

In the spring of 2004 KEXP.org was ranked sixth among all audio streaming services on the Arbitron/Measurecast chart and ranked first among all streaming AM and FM radio stations. Also, KEXP won a Webby, the international award recognizing online achievement, for Best Radio Station Website in 2004 and in the winter of 2005 won the PLUG Independent Music Award for best Non- Commercial Radio Station.

KEXP has a mission to enrich people's lives culturally by providing a wide and deep array of music, and technologically by exploring, developing and applying relevant technology to deepen or extend music experiences.

The station is operated by Friends of KEXP, a non-profit organization operating the station on behalf of the University of Washington which holds the FCC license. Experience Music Project provides generous financial support and the University of Washington computing and communications group provides KEXP with streaming services, technical support, development of new streaming applications and other technical developments.

Contact:
Courtney Miller 206. 520.5813
comiller@kexp.org

Source: KEXP

CONTACT: Courtney Miller of KEXP, +1-206-520-5813 or comiller@kexp.org

Web site: http://www.kexp.org/

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