FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 2, 2003
For more information, contact
Karen Cates, WRAL-FM Sales / Marketing Manager (919) 890-6148, kcates@wralfm.com

RALEIGH - Radio broadcasting is about to take a giant leap into the 21st century. The vehicle is high definition radio, and one of the very first stations in the country to launch it is WRAL-FM in Raleigh, NC.

Digital radio, also known as HD Radio™, is destined to revolutionize the AM and FM broadcasting industry. The noise and interference that cause the static, hiss, pops and fades heard on today’s analog radios will be virtually eliminated with digital broadcasting. In addition to crystal clear reception, HD Radio™ will dramatically enhance sound fidelity - AM will sound as good as today’s FM, and FM will rival the quality of compact discs.

Equally impressive to the CD-quality sound is that HD Radio™ allows for new wireless data services to be delivered from AM and FM radio stations. So listeners will be able to see the name of the artist and title of the song on the radio screen as it’s being played, or gain immediate local traffic updates, or view weather, stock and news information.

Just a handful of stations across the country are preparing to utilize this new technology. WRAL-FM is the first commercial radio station on the East Coast to be licensed to broadcast HD Radio™ - not surprising, since WRAL-TV was the first television station in the nation to broadcast a digital television signal, and then the first to broadcast a high definition (HDTV) newscast.

According to Ardie Gregory, Vice President and General Manager of WRAL-FM, “We’re proud and excited to be in the forefront of bringing this new technology to our listeners. It will allow us to provide even better service and a stronger commitment to the community - not to mention a significantly improved audio product.”

Most broadcasters are equally optimistic about the change, assuring listeners that they will readily hear the difference.

Consumers appear to be interested. According to a recent Yankee Group study, half of all consumers shopping for a car or home receiver in the next year are interested in buying a digital AM/FM radio. After 80 years of analog transmissions, radio is poised for its digital migration to HD Radio™.

Ryan Jones, analyst, Media and Entertainment Strategies for the Yankee Group stated, “Of all possible features offered by HD Radio™ technology, consumers are most interested in its improved sound quality. Yet interactive digital features, like radio recording and on-screen information, will help fuel consumer demand.”

HD Radio™ technology was developed by iBiquity Digital and approved in October by the Federal Communications Commission. Formerly known as IBOC (In-Band On-Channel digital audio broadcasting), HD Radio™ allows AM/FM broadcasters to seamlessly transmit digital quality audio alongside today’s analog-based broadcasts. Little or no change in consumer behavior will be required since all local radio station dial positions will remain the same. Consumers will simply tune to their favorite programs and stations and receive them in either a digital or analog format depending on their radio. Because stations will begin digital broadcasting using a “hybrid mode,” transmitting digital and analog signals simultaneously, listeners with analog receivers will still be able to pick up the broadcast and will be able to seamlessly upgrade to digital at their own pace.

Harris Corporation, the world’s leading broadcast supplier, provided the solid-state DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) transmitter and AM-FM IBOC exciter to WRAL-FM. According to Dale Mowry, VP of transmission systems for Harris’s Broadcast Communications Division, “Capitol Broadcasting is renewing its ongoing commitment to bringing the best technology to the North Carolina technology corridor with its implementation of the digital radio broadcast standard.”

WRAL-FM is an adult contemporary radio station that has served the Raleigh, NC community for over 55 years. Over 200,000 adult listeners per week tune in for the best MIX of the 80s, 90s and today. WRAL’s parent company, Capitol Broadcasting, an industry pioneer, was the first commercial company in the nation licensed to broadcast the high definition (HDTV) television signal.