News and announcements from Cincinnati Public Radio

24 HOUR JAZZ NOW AIRING ON CINCINNATI PUBLIC RADIO'S HD RADIO 2

Taking advantage of current digital technology and in preparation for the accelerated rollout of new HD RadioTM receivers, Cincinnati Public Radio will begin broadcasting a second HD RadioTM signal featuring 24 hour jazz programming. This new signal will begin broadcasting on Friday, January 27 and will be available to all current and future owners of multichannel HD RadioTM receivers. This additional HD RadioTM broadcast is made possible by a grant from the Cinergy Foundation.

HD RadioTM technology provides crystal clear reception and CD quality sound and allows for multicasting – broadcasting two separate signals on the same frequency – with no reduction in signal clarity or range. 90.9 WGUC has been broadcasting classical music using HD RadioTM technology since 2003, while maintaining the traditional analog signal. The addition of the second HD RadioTM channel featuring jazz will not affect the current 24-hour classical music broadcasting on 90.9 FM. In fact, WGUC has been broadcasting additional classical music on the second HD RadioTM signal for about six months while testing equipment, measuring signal clarity and strength, in advance of this format announcement.

“When Cincinnati Public Radio purchased WVXU last year, an extensive survey of listeners of both stations was undertaken to help determine the programming schedule for the new WVXU,” said Richard Eiswerth, President and CEO of Cincinnati Public Radio Inc. “Those results showed that, in addition to a strong desire for a news and information station featuring NPR, “Car Talk,” “A Prairie Home Companion,” and local news, there is a tremendous interest in jazz. WVXU responded to those results by convincing Oscar Treadwell to come out of retirement and host “Jazz with OT” on Sunday evenings. But we wanted to do more and the multicasting capability of the HD RadioTM technology along with the generosity of the Cinergy Foundation is now allowing us to make it happen.”

To begin, the new channel will feature nationally syndicated programming from JazzWorks. As the technology continues to advance in the marketplace, and funding allows, local programming will be added to the mix. The current JazzWorks playlist includes every major jazz artist from Billie Holiday to Diana Krall, Duke Ellington to Herbie Hancock, Charlie Bird to Ray Charles.

Listeners wanting to take advantage of the new HD RadioTM technology and the multichannel service from Cincinnati Public Radio must purchase an HD RadioTM receiver. HD RadioTM receivers have begun to come to market. Alamo Electronics in Montgomery carries a Boston Acoustics tabletop receiver and Crutchfield.com carries both tabletop and car receivers (with a portion of all sales through wguc.org benefiting Cincinnati Public Radio.) Kenwood, JVC, Panasonic, Alpine, and Sanyo are among the major manufacturers with car units. BMW also has a factory-installed receiver available now. PolkAudio, Radiosophy, and Yamaha are also producing tabletop models.

“Cincinnati Public Radio is excited to bring full time jazz programming back to the Cincinnati airwaves and intends on remaining at the forefront of the HD RadioTM technology that’s making it possible,” said Eiswerth.

Links:
wguc.org
wvxu.org
HD Radio

Friday, January 27, 2006

Contact: Kevin Reynolds
Community Relations Manager
Cincinnati Public Radio
(513)419-7104
kreynolds@cinradio.org

press room | press releases | photos | links