The Infinite Dial

One of the most fascinating stories of recent months has been the terrestrial broadcasters who are using the combination of HD-2 multicast channels and FM translators as a way of giving themselves an additional berth on the FM dial. Cumulus has used this strategy to move its Urban AC in Harrisburg, Pa., from AM to FM. Saga has used it to launch a new Triple-A in Asheville, N.C. Now, DCRTV reports that WAMU Washington, D.C., is simulcasting its HD-2 Bluegrass channel on a Northern Virginia translator that had previously carried non-commercial Triple-A WTMD Baltimore's programming. The station is quick to position the simulcast as an experiment. (Unlike Asheville and Harrisburg's Websites, which treat the translator as the main frequency, there is not yet a mention of the new frequency on the station's Website.)

WAMU's move is interesting for a number of reasons. Its bluegrass programming certainly had a devoted following. If any format could sell an HD radio (no need for HD detractors to expend any energy on that first clause), this would have been it. It's hard to imagine a 250-watt repeater in Great Falls, Va., making any format a market powerhouse, but like Urban AC on FM in Harrisburg, it will likely find a following. Beyond that, it shows the rapid spread of this concept from major groups to, now, NPR affiliates.

It's been clear almost since the inception of HD multicast channels that they would more likely find their largest audience somewhere other than on an HD radio. Multicast stations always deserved more resources than they got, just in the interest of staking out a future place on The Infinite Dial. Perhaps using them as a way to get an additional FM frequency means that broadcasters will take their multicasts more seriously. Or make sure they're always on the air.