As they look to compete with the emerging satellite radio industry, several L.A. radio stations are launching new HD2 digital radio channels, which can be heard over the air by anyone with a HD digital radio receiver.
According to LARadio.com, KPWR/"Power 106" will launch "Power Dos," a bilingual version of its hip-hop format (in an attempt to compete with bilingual KXOL/"Latino 96.3," which has stolen some of Power's audience since going on the air last year).
Country station KZLA will launch an Adult Alternative station (think U2, Neil Young, Coldplay) on their digital channel. Los Angeles hasn't had an Adult Alternative outlet since "Channel 103.1" disappeared several years ago.
Classic rocker KLOS also plans to go the bilingual route, mixing traditional rock with Rock En Espanol for a new fusion format. They explain it here:
The bilingual Fusion Hispanic/Anglo Rock format, which is being created and implemented entirely by KLOS, will be launched in July 2006 and made available without commercial content and cost-free to those who have HD digital radio receivers. Described as a unique music-intensive format that will appeal to a wide audience of rock music fans, the channel will blend a mix of American and British rock with Spanish rock, creating a revolutionary new sound that will forever change the landscape of terrestrial radio in southern California.
“This new sound will reach out to anyone who loves rock music with a harder edge,” said Wilde. “We will feature the best of international rock music with an emphasis on Hispanic/Anglo elements - a hybrid that has never been introduced to any audience in the world until now.”
Listeners will be taken on a musical journey unlike any other, with a dynamic lineup of artists from Metallica to Mana, from Judas Priest to the Jaguares and from U2 to Ozomatli. “We’re creating this fun and exciting new sound with our ears and our hearts,” said Wilde, “rather than replicating something that is already available.”
HD radio could be the most exciting thing to happen to local radio in a while... but it's too soon to tell. Perhaps we'll see some other formats are missing from the airwaves finally get their due.
UPDATE: Clear Channel has also announced some HD radio plans. KIIS-FM's second channel will mix top 40 and Spanish-speaking hosts and commercials, in a format they're calling "Kisspanic." (Cute.)
KHHT/"Hot 92.3" will also go Latino-centric, with a Hispanic oldies format.
KBIG-FM, which plays a lot of disco in the evenings, will use its second HD channel to go wall-to-wall disco.
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