New Cincinnati radio stations

The move into high definition (HD) radio, which allows stations to broadcast a second channel (multicast), could literally double the number of radio stations in Cincinnati, and every other city.
Today WGUC-FM launches a 24-hour jazz channel on WGUC-HD2 at 1 p.m.
On Tuesday, Clear Channel will debut four HD “side channels.” And you won’t need a $500 HD radio to hear them, because they will be audiostreamed on the station’s Web sites. Clear Channel also will like to the 71 other new multicast channels being aggressively launched this year by other Clear Channel stations, says Scott Reinhart, FM operations manager here.
Here's what Reinhart says you'll find:
--WEBN-HD2: New alternative, what WAQZ-FM used to be.
--WOFX-HD2: Fox goes adult album alternative (AAA), similar to WNKU-FM.
--WKFS-HD2: Kiss107 doing "classic hip-hop" from the 1980s and '90s. Think Run-D.M.C.
--WVMX-HD2: Mix offers urban variety. A softer version of MOJO, with groups like Earth, Wind & Fire.

AM Also
WLW-AM and WCKY-AM also are going HD this year, and will have a second “multicast” channel streamed on the web. WLW-AM plans to have talk and news on the multicast channel, when the Reds play, since the station can’t stream the Reds game audio, says Darryl Parks, AM operations director.
Clear Channel and Infinity are part of the national HD Alliance to promote HD stations and radio sales. They see it as a way to combat satellite radio, pointing out that once you buy HD set, the programming is free, while satellite radio owners must pay a montly $13 fee. Expect to see a big push to get HD radios into new cars.
One more thing: WGUC’s new jazz service comes from Pittsburgh’s JazzWorks, which provides identical programming to WMUB-HD2 jazz multicast. Neither are streamed on the Web.


Hannity vs. Springer???
Wouldn't you like a front-row seat for that one? You can. Conservative Fox News host Sean Hannity comes to town Saturday Feb. 25 to take on liberal Jerry Springer. They’re headliners in Clear Channel’s “Battle of the Talk Show Hosts” at Grand Victory Casino. Tickets go on sale today by calling 1-800-GRAND11. General admission is $30. For $100 you get to meet and greet with both guys and a buffet before the 8 p.m. program.

“Talk Idol” gets his shot
Minister J. Todd Smith from Germantown, winner of WLW-AM’s “The Big One Talk Radio Idol” contest in November, gets his shot on the station hosting talk 6-9 p.m. Saturday. He won the November station contest.