Non-commercial WFUV(FM) in New York will use a half-million-dollar grant from The New York State Music Fund to support development of an HD2 channel featuring alternative music.
The overall budget for the project is $1.2 million.
The fund is backed by money that record labels and some radio groups paid out to settle so-called “payola” allegations by former New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer; Spitzer is now governor of that state.
The Fordham University station’s main format is Triple A; the second stream targets listeners in their 20s and 30s. The non-commercial service will be available via Internet and mobile streaming audio and, in the New York area, as an HD2 channel at 90.7 FM.
The new stream is slated to begin in fall 2008. WFUV GM Ralph Jennings called the second stream an opportunity to broaden WFUV’s musical offerings as the station celebrates its 60th anniversary
WFUV plans to develop the new service over the next year, consulting artists, labels, music writers, Web sites, bloggers and venues. The station also intends to tap an emerging generation of radio talent for its new air staff.
