For Immediate Release
AUTOMAKERS GET READY FOR DIGITAL HD RADIO BLITZ IN DETROIT
Digital Conversions by Ten Additional Detroit AM & FM Stations Mirror Nationwide Rollout of HD Radio Technology
Detroit, MI – October 18, 2004 – iBiquity Digital Corporation, the sole developer of HD Radio technology, announced today that 10 additional radio stations in the Detroit market have recently begun broadcasting digital HD Radio signals, bringing the total number of digital AM and FM stations now broadcasting in Detroit to 13. The success of HD Radio in Detroit highlights what is taking place across the country where three of the nation’s top five broadcast groups announced plans this summer to rapidly expand their HD Radio rollout efforts. As a result of today’s announcement, Detroit’s top commercial stations – with formats that include news and talk, gospel, jazz, classic rock, urban, adult contemporary, top 40, oldies, and Christian contemporary – as well as several non-commercial stations are now broadcasting with HD Radio technology.
Robert Struble, president and CEO of iBiquity Digital Corporation stated, “Today’s announcement confirms the strong momentum that HD Radio is enjoying. With the recently announced commitments from Clear Channel, Cox and Entercom to begin immediately converting 1500 additional stations across the country to digital broadcasting, HD Radio has reached critical mass.”
“The broadcaster commitments from Clear Channel, Cox and Entercom have quickly led to the rapid station conversions we are witnessing in the Motor City, where an overwhelming majority of the city’s radio listeners can now take advantage of HD Radio broadcasts with the purchase of an HD Radio receiver,” said Jeffery McGannon, vice president of OEM business development, iBiquity Digital Corporation.
“We are always looking for innovative ways to stay in touch and serve our local audience and digital is the next step,” said Tom Bender, senior vice president and regional manager, Greater Media Detroit stations WMGC, WRIF and WCSX. “HD Radio technology will delight and amaze our Magic listeners. When they turn to us, they’ll hear their favorites in CD-quality sound. We’re also looking forward to being able to communicate other information such as song titles and artist names on a real-time basis. We know that is one of the most important pieces of information we can give our listeners. HD Radio is the most significant technological leap for our industry since the introduction of FM more than 40 years ago.”
The Detroit stations now broadcasting digital HD Radio signals are:
* WDTJ-FM 105.9
* WDTW-FM 106.7
* WEMU-FM 89.1
* WJLB-FM 97.9
* WKQI-FM 95.5
* WMUZ-FM 103.5
* WMXD-FM 92.3
* WOMC-FM 104.3
* WVMV-FM 98.7
* WXYT-AM 1270
WCHB-AM 1200
WDMK-FM 102.7
WMGC-FM 105.1
* – Denotes newly converted HD Radio station
Additionally, WDET-FM 101.9, WCSX-FM 94.7, and WRIF-FM 101.1 are expected to begin broadcasting in digital HD Radio before the end of the year.
A complete list of stations licensing HD Radio technology and broadcasting digitally within the Detroit market and nationwide is available at www.HD-Radio.com.
If you are interested in scheduling an appointment to hear live digital AM and FM broadcasts in an HD Radio-equipped vehicle, please contact Gil Chorbajian at 518-355-0966 or gil.chorbajian@ogilvypr.com.
About iBiquity Digital
iBiquity Digital is the sole developer and licenser of HD Radio technology in the U.S., which is transforming today’s analog radio to digital, enabling radically upgraded sound, crystal-clear reception and new wireless data services. The company’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. 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.
CONTACT:
Gil Chorbajian
Ogilvy Public Relations
518-355-0966
gil.chorbajian@ogilvypr.com
