From ESPN Radio: ESPN RADIO HD Launches 24/7 Network with On-Demand Options for FM HD Radio Broadcasters

ESPN Radio, with partners Cumulus, Bonneville, and Red Zebra, will announce the launch of an expanded line up, and 24/7 of on-demand options for FM HD multicast sports channels, at the 2008 Radio NAB in Austin, Texas, September 17-19. ESPN Radio’s investment in this innovative use of technology underscores it’s commitment to next-generation sports radio.

FM HD multicasting is a new technology for terrestrial radio, whereby stations can broadcast multiple program channels in high quality on the same FM frequency. This broadcast service will be available to anyone with an HD RadioTM.

"FM-HD2&3 multicast is clearly the largest technology innovation in FM radio since the first FM radio station went on the air in 1937," says Mo Davenport, Senior VP, ESPN Radio. “ESPN has a long standing passion for using new technology to reach sports fans wherever they are, and FM HD radio is part of our overall strategy.”

Participating stations, including the initial markets of Houston, Seattle and Dallas, can customize their own ESPN branded multicast channel by using a specialized network appliance. Programs offered on this new service will include ESPNEWS, SportsCenter, Best of Mike and Mike in the Morning, The BS Report, Baseball Today, Around the Horn, college football studio programming, Sports Reporters, First Take, and play-by-play including college football, WNBA, Indy Car Racing, U.S. men's soccer, MLS, and NHRA.

A participating station will be provided a unique internet portal that will allow the scheduling and control of its network appliance. Using the portal’s easy-to-use automation interface, stations can select from a wide array of compelling differentiated sports content. A station will also be able to specify the dates and times content will air on its FM-HD2&3 multicast channel. This set of content tools is designed as a platform to help stations meet the sports interests of the local communities they serve.

Besides providing conventional audio content, the appliance will also provide stations unique sports data-casting abilities, such as bottom-line data, clock and score information, and other non-audio services specifically designed for HD Radio™.

Robert Ausfeld, Regional Vice President of Regent Broadcasting in Albany says, "The value of ESPN Radio on FM has allowed us to increase our billing by more than 1,000% in Albany since moving it from our AM frequency. Having this HD product will only enhance our offering and allow us to super serve our listeners and advertisers."

To test drive ESPN Radio HD, visit www.espnradioHD.FM or visit the HD RadioTM Booth #725.

About ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio is the nation’s largest sports radio network, providing more than 9,000 hours of talk and event content to nearly 750 non-duplicative stations reaching more than 20 million listeners* each week. ESPN Radio’s 335 full-time affiliates, offering round the clock programming, include owned stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Pittsburgh. Additionally, ESPN Radio is the exclusive national radio network for the NBA, Major League Baseball and the Bowl Championship Series, and Kentucky Derby, and also broadcasts 17 regular-season college football games.

Additionally, ESPNRadio.com is the most listened to sports radio destination online, with more than 260,000** monthly listeners, additionally sports fans can access all of ESPN Radio's daily content on demand through ESPN Radio Insider (a part of ESPN.com's premium content section, ESPN Insider). ESPN Radio content is also available via ESPN's 40 original free podcasts on iTunes and ESPN's PodCenter, which are downloaded more than 1.5 million times per week.

* Knowledge Networks/SRI
** AndoMedia WebMetrics
***HD Radio™ is a proprietary trademark of iBiquity Digital Corp. 

-- Media Contact: Dan Quinn (860) 766-2234; dan.quinn@espn.com

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