Philadelphia’s Triple A-formatted WXPN(FM) launched its HD2 channel Wednesday with an indie rock format called “Y-Rock On XPN.”
WXPN says it’s the only station in the market airing this format. The station is a noncom licensed to the University of Pennsylvania.
The station chief engineer is involved in the marketing here. To see how WXPN is explaining the launch to the public, go to www.xpn.org and click on “Radio Video” featuring GM Roger LaMay and CE Jay Goldman.
WXPN originally launched Y-Rock On XPN as a separate music programming service in 2006. Since then, the format has only been available via broadcast on WXPN 10 hours per week and via the Internet at YRockOnXPN.org.
With its HD2 channel, the station is giving its indie rock format a dedicated position on the HD FM dial. WXPN will continue to stream Y-Rock and to broadcast three nights a week on WXPN.
“Nearly 500,000 alternative music fans in Philadelphia have been without a 24/7 radio station since Y100 left the airwaves in February 2005,” states GM Roger LaMay “Launching Y-Rock On XPN as a our secondary channel, makes this programming even more accessible for those displaced fans, particularly as awareness and sale of HD radios grows.”
