700 HD Radio Stations Now On-Air As Digital AM & FM Rollout Momentum Continues
Over 100 Stations Delivering Distinctive New Content Channels With HD Radio Multicasting
Columbia, MD — February 1, 2006 — When Beasley Broadcasting Group’s WXKB-FM flipped the switch and turned on its digital signal on January 26, it signaled the 700th U.S. radio station to begin broadcasting with HD Radio technology. Radio stations serving every Arbitron market plus dozens of unrated markets are now providing listeners with digital AM and FM coverage, and, in many of these markets, broadcasting innovative new programming via HD2 multicasting.
“As a result of broadcasters converting stations at a pace of more than one per day, 6 in 10 Americans now have access to HD Radio broadcasts,” said Robert Struble, president and CEO of iBiquity Digital Corporation, developers of HD Radio technology. “We expect the growth of HD Radio to accelerate as more listeners look to take advantage of the benefits of digital AM and FM broadcasting, which include dramatically improved sound quality, innovative content, continued access to local news and information, and no subscription fees,” added Struble.
HD Radio technology has experienced increased momentum recently as broadcasters convert stations in record numbers and new HD Radio receivers expand the range of product categories and price points. Additionally, using HD Radio multicasting capabilities, radio broadcasters have dramatically expanded content with new channels of distinctive local programming to supplement their existing formats More than 100 completely new multicast stations are now on the air, broadcasting diverse formats that include: Deep Cuts Classic Rock, Female Talk, Classic Jazz, Disco, International Hits, Xtreme Hip Hop, Christian Rock, Hispanic Raggeton, and in-depth news. In the coming months, the number of HD2 stations will more than double, surpassing the 250 mark.
About HD Radio
More than 3,000 radio stations in the U.S. are either on the air today or in the process of converting to the HD Radio system with 700 AM and FM stations currently broadcasting in digital HD Radio technology. The HD Radio system transmits digital audio and data alongside existing AM and FM analog signals, allowing listeners with HD Radio-compatible receivers to enjoy CD-quality sound, while virtually eliminating the static and hiss often associated with analog radio. Beyond delivering superior sound, the technology provides a platform for advanced new services, including scrolling text on receiver displays (e.g., artist names & song titles, weather forecasts, school closings); delivery of real-time traffic updates to vehicles; and multicasting — a feature that allows stations to broadcast multiple channels of new programming over a single FM frequency. HD Radio receivers are now available or expected to launch in 2006 from: Audio Design Associates, Alpine, Boston Acoustics, DaySequerra, DICE Electronics, ECLIPSE by Fujitsu Ten, JVC, Kenwood, Panasonic, Polk Audio, Radiosophy, Rotel, Sanyo, and Yamaha, with many more under development. For more information please visit: www.hdradio.com.
About iBiquity Digital
iBiquity Digital is the sole developer and licenser of HD Radio technology in the U.S. HD Radio is transforming today’s AM and FM radio stations to digital, enabling radically upgraded sound, crystal-clear reception, multicasting and advanced data services such as real-time traffic updates. Over 2,500 radio stations in the U.S. are in the process of converting to the HD Radio system with more than 700 HD Radio broadcasters currently on the air. iBiquity Digital’s investors include 15 of the nation’s top radio broadcasters, including ABC, Clear Channel and Viacom; leading financial institutions, such as Grotech Capital Group, J.P. Morgan Partners, New Venture Partners, Pequot Capital and J&W Seligman; and strategic partners Ford Motor Company, Harris, Texas Instruments and Visteon. Named one of Deloitte’s Fast 500 Companies, iBiquity Digital is a privately held company with operations in Columbia, MD, Detroit, MI, Belmont, CA and Warren, NJ. For more information please visit: www.ibiquity.com.
