New HD2 Multicast Programming Set for 22 Additional Markets

New HD2 Multicast Programming Set for 22 Additional Markets

HD Digital Radio Alliance Accelerates Rollout of Top 100 Markets

Members Readying Individual Market Launches; Second Wave Brings Number of New Radio Channels to 450

Visit www.HDRadio.com for Links to Expanded List of In-store and Online Retailers Selling HD Digital Radios

ORLANDO, Fla., April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The HD Digital Radio Alliance, a joint initiative of leading radio broadcasters to accelerate the rollout of HD digital radio, today announced the second wave of local markets that will begin broadcasting HD2 multicast programming under the Alliance's format- selection program.

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

HD2 multicasts will now be available in 50 markets (including 42 of the top 50) -- more than six months ahead of schedule. The number of new radio stations created under the initiative now tops 450.

Alliance members are readying individual HD2 channel launches in each market. Member broadcasters are responsible for programming each of their new multicast channels which are initially being offered commercial free. Additionally, all current analog signals will also be available as HD digital radio broadcasts (on HD1 channels) and no subscription is required.

In a continuation of the Alliance's objective to present fresh, unique and diverse programming on these new HD2 channels, even more formats have been created including Eclectic Chill-Out, Christian Contemporary, Cafe Jazz & Blues, Mash-Up and Outlaw Country.

"One of the most exciting things about HD Radio is the ability to offer innovative new content customized for each individual local market," said Peter Ferrara, President and CEO of the HD Digital Radio Alliance. "Unlike any other audio entertainment source, radio is all about serving the local community and these new HD2 channels will do just that."

The next 22 markets are:

Rank Location Rank Location
15 Phoenix, AZ 29 Kansas City MO-KS
16 Minneapolis, MN 30 San Antonio, TX
17 San Diego, CA 31 Salt Lake City, UT
18 Nassau-Suffolk, NY 32 Milwaukee, WI
19 St. Louis, MO 34 Providence, RI
21 Tampa, FL 35 Columbus, OH
22 Denver, CO 36 Charlotte, NC
23 Pittsburgh, PA 37 Middlesex-Union-Somerset, NJ
25 Cleveland, OH 38 Las Vegas, NV
26 Sacramento, CA 39 Orlando, FL
28 Riverside, CA 40 Norfolk, VA

* Even More HD Digital Radio Receivers Now Available

The Alliance is also seeing unprecedented interest from retailers, new receiver makers and the automotive industry. Earlier this month, the Alliance announced that three major specialty retailers launched massive in-store marketing, education and advertising programs to coincide with the in-store availability of HD digital radio receivers. Receivers have been available from online retailers since late 2005. And more than 30 models of automobiles will ship with HD digital radios by the 2008 model year.

HD digital radio receivers are currently available from ABC Warehouse, Alamo Electronics, Audio Adviser, B&B Appliance, Bjorn's Stereo Designs, Car Toys, Crutchfield.com, eCost.com, Electronics Expo, Flanner's Audio & Video, Great Indoors (a unit of Sears Roebuck & Co.), HammacherSchlemmer.com, Harvey's, Hi-Fi Buys, Home Entertainment, Huppins Hi Fi, J & R Music, Listen Up, Magnolia Audio Video, One Call, Ovation AV, Pyramid Audio, Rudy's Autosound, Sound Advice, Spearit Sound, Tweeter and World of Sound. Links to national retailers selling HD Digital radios are at http://www.hdradio.com/, which also features a HD Digital Radio Buyers Guide designed to assist consumers with this purchase.

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), JVC and Visteon. More than 20 Asia-based manufacturers have HD Digital Radio receivers in development.

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

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

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