Indianapolis…The next generation of radio was unveiled today as Emmis Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: EMMS) announced its first wave of High Definition Digital second channels in its New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Indianapolis markets. Emmis will rollout these multicast channels in the coming months.
“Today’s announcement furthers our goal of giving listeners new, free, fresh format choices on the airwaves,” Emmis Chairman & CEO Jeff Smulyan said. “We are marrying diverse, creative content with a high-quality digital listening experience.”
In New York, WQHT-FM, Hot 97, will be broadcasting “Old School Hip Hop” on its second signal; WRKS-FM, Kiss FM, will be airing Gospel; and WQCD-FM, CD 101.9, will be airing “Chill”(also known as ambient or lounge music, Chill has roots in pop, world music, smooth jazz, and electronica; artists include Zero 7, Moby, and Groove Armada).
In Los Angeles, KPWR-FM, Power 106, will broadcast “Power Dos” (a bilingual and musically extended version of Power 106) while KZLA-FM will air Adult Alternative.
In Chicago, WKQX-FM, Q101, will air “Punk/Young Alternative” while WLUP-FM, The Loop, will air “Loop Loud” (extreme hard rock).
In Indianapolis listeners of high-definition radio will enjoy Dance music on WNOU-FM, Radio Now; Disco on WYXB-FM, B 105.7; and Americana (a country format with more roots and less mainstream country) on WLHK-FM, Hank FM.
On-air dates will be spread throughout 2006, with WQHT’s Old School Hip Hop on the air already. Los Angeles’ Power 106 and KZLA should be up with their second signals by the middle of February 2006.
The HD Digital Radio Alliance, of which Emmis is a member, is a strategic alliance designed to accelerate the rollout of HD Digital Radio. HD Digital Radio eliminates the static, hiss and fades associated with analog signals. The wireless data feature enables text information on songs to be broadcast directly to receiver display screens. HD Digital Radio will initially be commercial-free, and no subscription is required. HD Digital Radio receivers are available now at various in-store and on-line retailers.
Emmis Communications – Great Media, Great People, Great Service®
Emmis is an Indianapolis-based diversified media firm with radio broadcasting, television broadcasting and magazine publishing operations. Emmis owns 23 FM and 2 AM domestic radio stations serving the nation’s largest markets of New York, Los Angeles and Chicago as well as Phoenix, St. Louis, Austin, Indianapolis and Terre Haute, IN. In May 2005, Emmis announced its intent to seek strategic alternatives for its 16 television stations, and the Company has sold or announced signed definitive agreements to sell 13 of them. In September the Company announced it had signed an agreement to sell St. Louis radio station WRDA-FM. Emmis owns a radio network, international radio stations, regional and specialty magazines and ancillary businesses in broadcast sales and book publishing.
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