HD Radio Celebrates Major Milestone: Rollout in Top 100 Markets

HD Radio Celebrates Major Milestone: Rollout in Top 100 Markets

HD2 Multicasting Hits Biggest Metric Yet, Adding 15 New Markets to Complete the Top 100 Markets

Consumers in Top 100 Markets Discovering New Formats, Niche HD2 Programming, and Digital Quality Sound - With No Monthly Fee!

ORLANDO, Fla., May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The HD Digital Radio Alliance, a joint initiative of leading radio broadcasters to accelerate consumer adoption of HD Digital Radio, today celebrated a major milestone in the rollout of HD2 multicast formats with the addition of 15 new markets, completing the rollout in the top 100 markets. The achievement of such a significant number of markets underscores the vision and dedication that it took for HD Digital Radio to reach the nation's top 100 markets in less than 18 months.

The momentum of the rollout has been unprecedented, making the achievement of the top 100 markets all the more significant. The top U.S. radio broadcasters came together in December 2005 to form the HD Digital Radio Alliance in part to oversee the market-by-market HD2 format selections in the top 100 markets. Since that time, radio has morphed into a digital music force propelling a massive infusion of new and eclectic content on local radio stations by Alliance-member broadcasters - all in crystal-clear digital sound with no subscription fee. The result has been a lifestyle transformation for consumers and a powerful spur to retailers, device manufacturers and automakers to catch the consumer phenom that is HD Digital Radio. Now, in a development representing no small feat, the milestone of the top 100 markets has been reached.

"The HD Radio Alliance came together sixteen months ago and has made significant strides in that time culminating with the achievement of the top 100 markets rollout," said Peter Ferrara, president and CEO of the HD Digital Radio Alliance. "None of this would have been possible without the consistent support of America's radio broadcasters, whose vision and leadership have brought us to this meaningful milestone. Also crucial to the effort have been our partners; including retailers, and device and auto manufacturers. This notable achievement resulted from a collaborative industry effort, giving the consumer the opportunity to discover HD Radio virtually anywhere in the country."

"The HD Radio and HD2 multicast formats selections that the Alliance has helped to allocate will broaden the horizons of radio, enabling us to provide unique programming and compelling content, such as Deep Trax, Live Rock, Irish music and other new, exciting formats," said Peter Smyth, president and CEO of Greater Media, Inc. "The additional channels will also give young artists the opportunity and ability to be heard on the airwaves."

Dan Mason, president and CEO of CBS Radio, said, "We live in a digital world today. The majority of the U.S. population tunes in to radio every day and we are now able to offer them superior sound quality with additional choices. This is a significant step for the future of radio and offers a whole new way in serving the local listener. The options with FM spectrum are virtually limitless."

"HD Radio is a vision that the industry got behind to benefit the consumer," said Mark Mays, CEO of Clear Channel Communications. "The top 100 markets announcement is a significant milestone and a statement that HD Radio is here and growing every single day. With each day, new formats are added and the consumer will keep reaping the benefits."

To find out everything about HD Radio, including HD2 multicast formats in 188 markets nationwide, recievers, retail availability and more, visit http://www.hdradio.com/.

The new content is fresh, free and local. In Boston, for example, consumers can discover Greater Media's HD2 multicast, "Radio You Boston," where young adults, ages 18-24, from the community get the chance to actually program the station. Or niche-music loving Bostonians can tune in to "The Irish Channel" where artists from the Clancy Brothers to U2 pump out a distinctively Irish sound 24/7.

Meanwhile, gay and lesbian listeners in Chicago, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Miami, Hartford and West Palm Beach have an exciting new listening option that speaks directly to them. The "Pride" HD2 channel from Clear Channel, which blends music, entertainment news and celebrity gossip tailored for the gay community, has had an overwhelmingly positive response. The station's weekly "Ryan & Caroline" show has been so successful that it's even crossed over to mainstream and analog radio success in markets that include Denver, Vegas and more. Or check out "Americana," the same broadcaster's country and bluegrass format in Springfield, Mass. No porch or porch swing is required as listeners kick back to the likes of Alison Krauss, Nickel Creek and Wilco.

For those living life in the fast lane, CBS Radio has just the adrenaline- rushing format for you. On the their HD2 "Future Country" station in Chicago, the first multicast station in the country, the broadcaster airs motor sports programming like the NASCAR Busch Series, the Craftsman Truck Series and the Indy Car Series. For those who would rather mellow out, CBS offers "Pure Jazz" in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market. This format provides soul-filled entertainment opportunities, including live and pre-recorded jazz concerts from local clubs, giving local jazz musicians an on-air platform in their community.

And there are many more new and exciting HD2 formats that are turning the once-familiar radio dial into all new territory waiting to be discovered by a new generation of listeners. For example, ABC Radio has introduced "(e)Spanol," an unprecedented fusion of hard rock and Latino music. The same broadcaster also has comedy up its sleeve with an "All Comedy Radio" HD2 station. Beasley Broadcasting is playing "Solid Gold" and "Beach" - ideal for warm Florida weather. Bonneville offers "iChannel" featuring independent and unsigned artists and "The Arch" taking album-oriented rock to a whole new plane. CBS is airing "Pure Jazz" and "Chill." Emmis has "Young Punk - Next Generation Alternative" and "My Red Lounge," a mix of Jazz, Blues, Swing and Lounge. Entercom is pumping out "Passport" and "Subterranean" (deep tracks from rock albums from the 60's, 70's and 80's). With so much on the air to woo and win listeners, it's no wonder device makers, auto manufacturers and retailers have been quick to get on board with HD Radio.

The momentum has reverberated at all levels. In December 2005, there was only one HD Radio receiver model available at retail. Today, there are more than 50 for the home and automotive markets. Retail availability has shot up to literally thousands of outlets, and price points are continuing to drop. For the automotive market, eleven automotive OEMs will begin offering HD Radio as an option on 55 models in the next 18-24 months. BMW already offers HD Radio as a factory-installed option across its entire product line, with Jaguar and Hyundai offering it in their premium sedans scheduled for introduction in 2008.

The next 15 markets to roll out HD2 multicast programming are:

Rank Location Rank Location
86 Gainesville, Fla. 94 Wichita, Kan.
87 Charleston, S.C. 95 Madison, Wis.
88 Greenville, N.C. 96 Colorado Springs, Colo.
89 Columbia, S.C. 97 Melbourne, Fla.
90 Daytona Beach, Fla. 98 Tri Cities, Tenn.
91 Des Moines, Iowa 99 Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla.
92 Spokane, Wash. 100 Lexington, Ky.
93 Mobile, Ala.

Information about receiver availability, a station guide and more can be found at www.hdradio.com.

HD Radio(TM) is a trademark of iBiquity Digital Corporation.

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 independent owner Jerry Lee with WBEB Philadelphia. For more information on HD digital radio, visit www.hdradio.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: HD Digital Radio Alliance

CONTACT: Scott Cianciulli, cianciulli@braincomm.com, or Nancy Zakhary,
nancy@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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