[BC] Jabba the HD has spoken...

[Bernie Courtney]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/prn/texas/3598185.html


AND


http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=165202

The *HD Digital Radio Alliance* has announced the first markets that will be
broadcasting HD2 multicast programming. The initiative will launch within a
few days in 28 markets with 264 completely new HD2 channels covering a
variety of music and talk formats.

"We're moving very rapidly to improve consumers' radio listening
experience," confirmed HD Digital Radio Alliance President and CEO *Peter
Ferrara*. "Listeners will now have even more local choices of new and
diverse programming. I think a lot of people are going to want an HD Radio
for their car, home and office."

This marks the first wide-scale launch of HD2 multicast channels across the
country since the announcement
<http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=151887>of the HD Digital Radio
Alliance.  Member broadcasters will be responsible
for programming each of their multicast channels and all HD2 formats are
initially commercial-free. In addition, all current analog radio signals
will also be available as HD digital radio broadcasts (on HD1 channels).

Some of the totally new formats to be introduced in the first wave include:
Viva La Voce (opera), Classical Alternative, Traditional Jazz & Blues,
Coffee House, Female Talk, Future Country, Extreme Hip Hop and in-depth
news.

Also of note is the wide variety of new rock formats being developed under
the initiative. A sampling of some of the Rock formats that will be
appearing in some of the markets: includes Deep Cuts Classic Rock, Live
Rock, New Alternative, Fusion Hispanic-Anglo Rock, Chick Rock, Indie & New
Rock.

The first 28 markets are: New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San
Francisco, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia, Houston, Washington, D.C.,
Boston, Detroit, Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, Baltimore, Portland, Cincinnati,
San Jose, Indianapolis, Memphis, Hartford, Birmingham, Dayton, McAllen,
Tulsa, Albuquerque, El Paso, Springfield, MA and Wichita.