The smooth sounds of jazz are filling the HD Radio airwaves in Jacksonville with the launch of a new “pop-up” radio station on 89.9 FM HD4.
“We thought we do our part in getting people in the mood for this year’s Jacksonville Jazz Festival by creating a pop-up jazz station. Over 1000 songs are in rotation celebrating America’s original art form, jazz,” said WJCT Station Manager David Luckin.
Related:
- Listen to Luckin's full interview on Wednesday's First Coast Connect
- 2018 Jacksonville Jazz Festival Lineup Announced, Courthouse Location Added
- 2 Posters Unveiled For 2018 Jacksonville Jazz Festival
HD Radio is an improved, higher quality version of traditional AM and FM that is included with many newer car and home receivers. By 2014, HD Radio had reached nearly 25 million units in use, according to iBiquity Digital Corporation.
While many may think of HD Radio for its improved sound quality, it also means more variety with 25 HD Radio channels in Jacksonville, according to hdradio.com.
That number now rises – temporarily – to 26 with the launch of WJCT’s “pop-up” jazz station.
"The roll-out of numerous HD Radio enabled cars throughout 2016 and into 2017 mark the continued growth in consumer demand for digital radio services across North America," said Jeff Jury, general manager of HD Radio and automotive, DTS, Inc. in a statement last year.
WJCT still occasionally receives calls from listeners who miss classical music, not realizing that WJCT HD2 at 89.9-2 FM on the HD Radio dial plays classical music 24 hours a day.
On WJCT HD3 at 89.9-3 FM listeners with HD Radio receivers will find the Relax station that features easy listening music hits from a wide variety of musicians from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley.
Luckin is encouraging listeners who enjoy WJCT’s “pop-up” temporary jazz station to let him know by dropping him an email at music@wjct.org.
The Jacksonville Jazz Festival runs over the Memorial Day weekend, May 24-27 on stages and venues across Jacksonville’s urban core.
HD Radio Channels And Formats In Jacksonville
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
