HD RADIO PRESS RELEASE
September 26, 2008
Contact: Dean Kallenbach (715) 839-3868
or kallenbach@wpr.org
Wisconsin Public Radio Moves Into Digital Broadcasting
Technology Allows Addition of New 24-Hour Classical Music Station
Wisconsin Public Radio station 88.3 WHWC/ Menomonie-Eau Claire is the first radio station in the Chippewa Valley market to implement the new HD (high definition) digital radio service, a new technology which provides listeners with radically improved audio quality and allows broadcasters to transmit a second audio service.
“The 24-hour Classical Music channel on 88.3-2 is now on the air, and it sounds spectacular,” said Dean Kallenbach, Wisconsin Public Radio’s regional manager for western Wisconsin. “With WHWC’s powerful signal, HD is allowing us to bring classical music to communities that haven’t been able to receive it in the past.”
The HD technology allows for splitting the HD signal into two channels. Wisconsin Public Radio introduced an HD2 Classical service that consists of the existing weekday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. period of classical music being carried by Wisconsin Public Radio’s NPR News & Classical Music Network (as heard in western Wisconsin on 89.7 WUEC/ Eau Claire and 90.7 WVSS/ Menomonie) along with a schedule of new classical music programs.
The WPR Classical Service is the secondary channel (88.3-2) on 88.3 WHWC. The primary HD channel (88.3-1) will continue to broadcast Wisconsin Public Radio’s Ideas Network, which airs primarily issues-based call-in talk programming.
“Even with the talk programming, the audio quality of HD makes the listening experience more enjoyable,” Kallenbach said. “And our weekend entertainment shows like Car Talk, Whad’Ya Know? and A Prairie Home Companion really sing on 88.3-1.”
The new service is available to listeners who have high-definition, HD radio receivers. Listeners will continue to be able to hear WPR on standard radios. However, listeners will need to purchase a HD Radio to take advantage of the new 24-hour Classical Music service. In addition, the service is free - just like today's analog AM and FM radio, and unlike satellite radio, which requires a subscription and monthly payment.
HD receivers for the car, home, and office are currently available from retailers such as Best Buy, Radio Shack, Target, JC Penney and Wal-Mart. Pete McLean, WHWC’s chief engineer, said listeners can expect a reliable HD signal within about a 40 mile radius of the transmitter site near Wheeler.
"Our HD signal should be nearly as strong as our standard analog signal on WHWC," McLean said. "I would expect strong reception as far north as Haugen, east to Cornell and Caddott, south to Mondovi and west to New Richmond."
In the future, data services such as displayed song and artist information, weather and traffic alerts, will be available.
There are two upcoming listening sessions during which HD Radio qualities and advantages will be demonstrated:
• October 22 at the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Conference Center in Rice Lake between 6 and 8 pm
• October 23 at the Wisconsin Public Radio Studio, 1221 West Clairemont Avenue in Eau Claire between 11am and 1pm
Beverages and snacks will be provided. Phil Corriveau, director of Wisconsin Public Radio, and Dean Kallenbach, western Wisconsin regional manager, will be present to hear comments and answer questions from listeners. The sessions are free and open to the public.
More information about WPR and HD Radio is available at wpr.org/hd or at the Eau Claire office of Wisconsin Public Radio at 800-228-5615.
