Clear Channel Radio is going live with more than 100 multicast radio channels, formats and services, in addition to each station's regular broadcast but within its allocated bandwidth, in 25 markets nationwide.

These supplementary offerings are more commonly known as HD2 channels, or side channels, and they do not levy any fees but do require that listeners have HD Radio receivers. Clear Channel will be giving away home and auto HD Radios as part of an aggressive marketing campaign.

"Our programmers (have) created a massive infusion of new programming to radio," said John Hogan, president and CEO of Clear Channel Radio, which he noted adds a broader spectrum of music options from which audiences may choose.

In Los Angeles, for example, the ABC/Disney-owned 95.5 KLOS-FM is creating a Fusion Hispanic/Anglo Rock format set to launch in July.

KLOS program director Rita Wilde said the format is a commercial-free mix of the best American and British rock with Spanish rock that will be the first of its kind worldwide.

"We wanted to produce a unique format on the KLOS HD2 side channel that, together with the dynamic new sound quality of HD on KLOS, will make listeners want to receive and enjoy HD radio," KLOS president and general manager John Davison said. "We believe we've come up with a sound that complements the classic rock format of KLOS and is properly suited for the musical tastes of the ethnically diverse market that is Southern California."

Multicasting is made possible by proprietary in-band on-channel technology from iBiquity, which significantly improves the sound quality of AM and FM broadcasts while adding features possible only with digital technology. Stations currently are putting call letters, song information and other text on the radio faceplate, but they also have the ability to display rich media and add premium features.

KZPS-FM, one of the six participating stations in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, has added an Americana HD2 channel alongside its existing Classic Rock format.

"Once listeners hear the incredible variety and depth of these genres, we fully expect receivers to start flying off the shelves because the audio quality of an HD digital radio broadcast is amazing," Hogan said.

Among the stations going live with HD2 today, San Jose's KCNL-FM is offering a Tropical format next to its existing Classic Alternative broadcast. More than 700 other stations have thrown the digital switch already, and at least 2,000 more are in the process of converting to iBiquity's technology.

"As a result of broadcasters converting stations at a pace of more than one per day, six in 10 Americans now have access to HD Radio broadcasts," iBiquity Digital Corp. president and CEO Robert Struble said. "We expect the growth of HD Radio to accelerate as more listeners look to take advantage of the benefits of digital AM and FM broadcasting, which include dramatically improved sound quality, innovative content, continued access to local news and information and no subscription fees."

IBiquity's investors include 15 of the nation's top radio broadcasters, including ABC, Clear Channel and Viacom, as well as such strategic partners as Ford Motor Co., Texas Instruments and Visteon.