[BC] WTOP, WGMS, etc signal flips

[Tom Foty]

Bonneville release --

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Washington, D.C. - Bonneville International, a diversified media company, 
today announced a series of changes to better serve the news, information 
and music interests of radio listeners in the Washington, D.C. community.

"These exciting changes will help us meet the growing needs of the 
Washington community for news, information, music and emergency services," 
said Bruce Reese, president and CEO of Bonneville International 
Corporation.  "We are strengthening the reach and clarity of WTOP, working 
with The Washington Post to broadcast a new diverse radio format, and 
building on the proud legacy of classical music in Washington."

Bonneville's flagship, 24-hour news radio station WTOP, will significantly 
expand its reach and penetration by moving to 103.5 FM.

"WTOP has been the source for news and information in emergencies like the 
9/11 terrorist attacks as well as threatening weather, school closings, and 
traffic for the community," according to Joel Oxley, Bonneville's senior 
vice president.  "At 103.5 on the FM dial, listeners will get better 
reception.  They will hear WTOP in their homes and offices throughout the 
region.  It will also strengthen the signal in cars driving in the downtown 
area."

Taking WTOP's former real estate on the radio dial will be Washington Post 
Radio.  It will be broadcast on 1500 AM and 107.7 FM starting in late March 
2006.  WTOP invited the Washington Post to provide content for the new 
station.  The collaboration will mark the first time that these two leading 
providers of news and information in Washington, D.C. will work together on 
a major initiative.

Bonneville will own and operate both WTOP and Washington Post 
Radio.  Washington Post Radio's programming will include in-depth local, 
national and international news and commentary provided by Washington Post 
reporters, editors, and columnists as well as news makers and other local 
media personalities.  Bonneville will also pursue play-by-play sports for 
evening and weekend broadcasts on Washington Post Radio.

"Our venture with The Washington Post will add a new dimension to radio in 
Washington," Reese said.   "It will be smart, savvy, provocative and 
thoughtful.  News hungry Washington is the best town for this new format."

Classical station WGMS will move to 104.1/103.9 FM replacing modern rock 
station Z104.  In addition, Bonneville has launched two new classical 
stations that will be broadcast digitally using HD Radio? technology. One 
station will play traditional classical music like that played on WGMS but 
will feature more in-depth programming. The other will be an on-air 
broadcast of the web-based opera and choral music station, Viva La 
Voce.  These additional channels will provide even more opportunity for 
classical music enthusiasts to hear the music they love.

"Listeners will be able to enjoy CD-quality broadcasts of their favorite 
symphonies, concertos, chamber music and operas with the addition of a 
receiver with HD Radio? technology to their car, office or home 
entertainment systems," Oxley said.  "And in tech savvy Washington, 
listeners will also be able to stream WGMS and Viva La Voce right to their 
desks and homes over the Internet."

WGMS' move to 104.1/103.9 FM will take place immediately.  Until the launch 
of Washington Post Radio, WTOP will be simulcast on 103.5 FM and 1500 AM 
and 107.7 FM.

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