New HD2 Multicast Programming is Imminent

New HD2 Multicast Programming is Imminent

HD Digital Radio Alliance Names First 28 Markets for New HD2 Programming Rollouts; More Than 250 New Channels Created So Far

Alliance Members Readying Individual Launches; Expect Broadcasts to Begin Within Next Few Days

Visit www.HDRadio.com for links to Online Retailers Selling HD Radios

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The HD Digital Radio Alliance, a joint initiative of leading radio broadcasters to accelerate the rollout of HD digital radio, today announced the initial 28 markets that will begin broadcasting HD2 multicast programming under the Alliance's format-selection program. Alliance members are readying individual HD2 channel launches in each market, and the first are expected within a few days.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051206/NYTU034 )

"We're moving very rapidly to improve consumers' radio listening experience," confirmed Peter Ferrara, President and CEO of the HD Digital Radio Alliance. "Listeners will now have even more local choices of new and diverse programming. I think a lot of people are going to want an HD Radio for their car, home and office."

The rollouts mark the first wide-scale launch of HD2 multicast channels in the country, with each market airing new and unique content. The Alliance's approach also dramatically increases the diversity of radio programming in every radio market. Through the selection process, each market is guaranteed its own mix of new programming.

Collectively, some 264 entirely new HD2 channels will carry a variety of music or talk formats.

Member broadcasters are responsible for programming each of their multicast channels and all HD2 formats are initially commercial-free. In addition, all current analog radio signals will also be available as HD digital radio broadcasts (on HD1 channels). No subscription is required to hear HD digital radio broadcasts.

Some of the totally new formats to be introduced in the first wave include: Viva La Voce (opera), Classical Alternative, Traditional Jazz & Blues, Coffee House, Female Talk, Future Country, Extreme Hip Hop and in-depth news.

Also of note is the wide variety of new rock formats being developed under the initiative. A sampling of some of the rock formats that will be appearing in some of the markets: includes Deep Cuts Classic Rock, Live Rock, New Alternative, Fusion Hispanic-Anglo Rock, Chick Rock, Indie & New Rock. Details and descriptions of these and other formats will come directly from the Alliance members.

The first 28 markets are:

Rank Location Rank Location
1 New York, NY 24 Portland, OR
2 Los Angeles, CA 27 Cincinnati, OH
3 Chicago, IL 33 San Jose, CA
4 San Francisco, CA 41 Indianapolis, IN
5 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX 48 Memphis, TN
6 Philadelphia, PA 50 Hartford, CT
7 Houston, TX 57 Birmingham, AL
8 Washington, DC 58 Dayton, OH
9 Boston, MA 60 McAllen, TX
10 Detroit, MI 64 Tulsa, OK
11 Atlanta, GA 70 Albuquerque, NM
12 Miami, FL 76 El Paso, TX
14 Seattle, WA 80 Springfield, MA
20 Baltimore, MD 94 Wichita, KS

* HD Digital Radio Receivers Now Available

HD digital radio receivers are currently available from ABC Warehouse, Audio Adviser, Bjorn's, Boston Acoustics, Car Toys, Crutchfield, Great Indoors (a unit of Sears Roebuck & Co.), Harvey's, J & R Music, Listen Up, Magnolia Audio Video, One Call, Ovation AV, Radiosophy and Tweeter. Links to online retailers selling HD digital radios are at http://www.hdradio.com/.

HD digital radio receivers are currently manufactured by more than 15 companies, including Audio Design Associates, Kenwood, Alpine, Panasonic, Boston Acoustics, Polk, Day Sequerra, Radiosophy, Delphi, Rotel, DICE, Sanyo, Eclipse (Fujitsu), Yamaha, JVC and Visteon.

About the HD Digital Radio Alliance

The HD Digital Radio Alliance is a joint initiative of leading radio broadcasters to accelerate the successful rollout of HD digital radio. Current members include major radio groups and independent station owners: ABC Radio (in Los Angeles and Minneapolis), Beasley Broadcast Group, Bonneville International, CBS Radio, Citadel Broadcasting, Clear Channel Radio, Cumulus, Emmis Communications, Entercom, Greater Media, and Susquehanna and independent owner Jerry Lee with WBEB Philadelphia. For more information on HD digital radio, visit http://www.hdradio.com/.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051206/NYTU034
Source: HD Digital Radio Alliance

CONTACT: Kim Holt, holt@braincomm.com, or Michele Clarke,
clarke@braincomm.com, both of Brainerd Communicators, Inc. for the HD Digital
Radio Alliance, +1-212-986-6667

Web site: http://www.hdradio.com/

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