Albuquerque radio stations plan earlier HD launch

Five Clear Channel Communications (NYSE:CDL) radio stations in Albuquerque will go on the air with "high definition" radio side channels starting Feb. 3.

Twenty-eight radio markets around the nation are part of the systematic roll-out of HD digital radio, an advance in broadcasting that promises clearer sound and more formats airing alongside already established frequencies.

The first wave of HD broadcasts in the nation will begin Jan. 19 in San Francisco and New York City, part of a joint initiative by the HD Digital Radio Alliance, a joint effort of several radio broadcasters aimed at accelerating the introduction of the new technology. The biggest obstacle to widespread listening to HD radio is the availability of receivers, which the Alliance members hope to begin changing with HD radio giveaways in the coming months.

In Albuquerque, what had not been expected to take place for another two months now will be a reality in about two weeks, says Chuck Hammond, local Clear Channel manager. The equipment and modifications to transmitters to handle HD radio alrleady have been largely installed, Hammond says. The new formats, which are essentially related offshoots of existing stations, will operate commercial-free for about 18 months, he says.

The Duke City stations included in the Feb. 3 HD introduction range from country to rock.

At KZRR-94 Rock, the adjacent channel will air "deep tracks," or selections from rock albums played on the station. At 104.7-The Edge, which already airs alternative rock, an additional classic alternative format will be offered. Hot 95.1 FM, which now plays "old school and today's R&B," will add a separate format called new hip-hop. Clear Channel's 100.3-The Peak's HD channel will play adult album alternative music, which Hammond says will resemble a now-deceased format in Albuquerque called world class rock. The company's country outlet, Big I-107.9, will feature a format of country variety.

A sixth FM station owned by Clear Channel, Mega-104.1, which airs Hispanic-urban music, won't be among the first wave of HD roll-outs in Albuquerque. But Hammond says the necessary upgrades should be installed so the station can begin airing its planned channel that will feature Spanish oldies.

Listeners with HD radios will be able to hear the new formats by simply tuning to the usual FM channel, 94.1 FM, for instance, and then slightly changing the frequency to 94.1-1 for the new offering. In the meantime, the new formats will be streamed on the Internet at the stations' various Web sites.

Hammond, who says he's expecting to acquire his own HD radio shortly, adds that the stations involved in the roll-out in Albuquerque plan to give away 100 HD radios over the course of the next several months to promote the new technology.

The coming HD broadcasts are the not the first in the country. A few scattered stations are already on the air with the new formats, including a station in Denver.

Citadel Broadcasting Corp. (NYSE:CCU), another major corporate broadcaster in Albuquerque, also is expected to initiate HD broadcasts. Milt McConnell, the local Citadel manager, was not available to comment on the company's plans.