iBiquity Digital Corporation, the sole developer and licensor of HD Radio digital AM/FM broadcast technology, unveiled that broadcast groups and stations in 40 large, midsize and small markets, spanning 26 states and 20 formats will begin broadcasting using iBiquity's HD Radio technology on AM and FM stations in early 2003. Markets include (by market rank); New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Philadelphia, Houston, Boston, Detroit, Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, Baltimore, Tampa-St. Petersburg, Cleveland, Cincinnati, San Jose, Milwaukee, Middlesex-Somerset-Union NJ, New Orleans, Raleigh, West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, Monmouth-Ocean NJ, Louisville, Richmond, Birmingham, Greenville-Spartanburg SC, Syracuse, Ft. Wayne IN, Roanoke-Lynchburg, Morristown NJ, Jackson MS, Charleston WV, Morgantown WV, Cedar Rapids and Lafayette IN. Four unranked markets will also rollout HD Radio services; Forest VA, Price UT, Raymond VA and White Oak GA. Formats include rock, urban, ethnic, country, classical, news/talk and more.
Broadcaster groups and stations include: iBiquity Digital's founder Infinity Broadcasting, as well as Clear Channel Radio, Cox Radio, Inc., Entercom Communications Corp., Radio One Inc., Hispanic Broadcasting Inc., Susquehanna Radio Corp., Bonneville International Corp., Greater Media, Spanish Broadcasting System, Beasley Broadcast Group, Journal Broadcast Group, Buckley Broadcasting, Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc., Chicago Public Radio, Cleveland Classical Radio, WCGA-AM, Cram Communications, Inc., Crawford Broadcasting Company, Crystal Boynton Beach, Inc., Eastern Utah Broadcasting, Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting Company, Federated Media, Fenix Broadcasting Corp., Gee Communications, Inc., Hunter Broadcast Group, Kaspar Broadcasting, KZIA, Inc., Multicultural Radio Broadcasting Group, New World Broadcasting, OneCom, Inc., Perception Media Group, Inc., Renaissance Radio, Inc., Richardson Broadcasting Company, Sellers Broadcasting-KMRY, South Sound Broadcasting, Spanish Media Broadcasting, WWNO-FM – University of New Orleans, University of South Florida, W&B Broadcasting, Inc., West Virginia Radio Corp., WRHC Management Corp., WOLF Radio, Inc., Wood Broadcasting Company, Inc. and WWOZ, Inc.
"Entercom has long been a supporter of the development of HD Radio. We are pleased to be among the first to adopt this new technology that will enhance the clarity, delivery and listening experience of our local programming" said David Field, president and CEO of Entercom. "With this initial conversion of stations in leading markets like Boston and Seattle and the others which will follow, Entercom expects to continue to contribute to the growth of local AM/FM radio by offering this improved and innovative delivery choice for our local listeners."
Richard Marschner, executive vice president and general manager, Cleveland Classical Radio stated, "Classical music delivered digitally leveraging HD Radio technology will create a complete listening experience for our faithful local listeners. In addition to the enhanced sound quality and compositions and artist information displayed on new HD Radio receivers, the ability to offer continued enhancements such as on-demand audio and advanced data services at the push of a button offers endless opportunities for what radio broadcasters can offer listeners as the technology evolves."
iBiquity Digital's HD Radio technology transforms today's radio experience by allowing AM/FM broadcasters to transmit, seamlessly, digital quality audio as well as integrated wireless data alongside today's analog-based broadcasts. HD Radio digital receivers, such as those being developed by Kenwood USA, Visteon, Alpine, Delphi, Harman Kardon, JVC, Sanyo and others, will enable consumers to receive these signals with improved audio fidelity that matches existing CD quality. HD Radio technology will also allow for the development of additional on-demand interactive audio and wireless data services, including traffic reports, weather alerts, breaking news, sports highlights, market updates, radio program information and much more.
McHenry Tichenor, president and CEO, Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation stated, "As the largest Spanish language radio broadcasting company in the U.S., Hispanic Broadcasting is dedicated to offering premier services to millions of our listeners. The conversion to digital broadcasting using HD Radio technology will revolutionize the way Latino communities from the beaches of Miami to the neighborhoods of LA will experience the rhythms and beats of their local radio. We at Hispanic Broadcasting have eagerly awaited HD Radio and look forward to bringing our listeners a host of new services that go beyond the traditional audio experience that radio offers today."
"Broadcasters across the U.S. have embraced HD Radio technology as the next generation of radio. HD Radio technology will change the way consumers experience local AM/FM and will enable new offerings to transform radio into the world of digital entertainment and all it has to offer," said Robert J. Struble, president and CEO, iBiquity Digital Corporation. "We couldn't be more pleased with the initial rollout of HD Radio throughout all of our partners' industries including broadcasting and consumer electronics, and this is only the beginning."
