Boise, Idaho – Boise State Radio is proud to announce that it now has four HD Radio stations, Idaho's first digital radio stations.  KBSS Sun Valley was placed on the air on October, 2004 with a traditional analog transmitter.  On Friday, October 15, 2004 the HD "High Definition" equipment was installed and made operational, making it fully functional to both analog and digital receivers. 

By Fall 2005, the two Boise FM radio stations KBSU and KBSX were upgraded to digital and in the summer of 2007, KBSW was added.

HD Radio is a new technology that allows AM/FM broadcasters to seamlessly transmit digital quality audio alongside today's analog-based broadcasts – a tremendous technological leap from today's familiar analog broadcasts. These digital broadcasts provide listeners with radically improved audio quality and reception. Signal static, hisses and pops are a thing of the past. Data services such as displayed song and artist information, weather and traffic alerts, and much more are now possible and will revolutionize the experience of AM and FM radio. And it's free for consumers, just like today's analog AM and FM radio.

Little or no change in listener behavior will be required since all local radio station dial positions will remain the same. Listeners will simply tune to their favorite programs and stations and receive them in either a digital or analog format depending on their radio. Because stations will begin digital broadcasting using a "hybrid mode," transmitting digital and analog signals simultaneously, listeners with analog receivers will still be able to pick up the broadcast and will be able to seamlessly upgrade to digital at their own pace.

Ryan Jones, analyst, Media and Entertainment Strategies for the Yankee Group stated, "Of all possible features offered by HD Radio technology, consumers are most interested in its improved sound quality. Yet interactive digital features, like radio recording and on-screen information, will help fuel consumer demand."

HD Radio technology was developed by iBiquity Digital and approved in October 2002 by the Federal Communications Commission.

KBSS airs Boise State Radio's "NPR News 91" program service.  NPR News 91 is heard at 91.5 FM, Boise, 88.5 FM, Burley, 91.3 FM Jackpot, 90.7 FM McCall and 91.1 FM Sun Valley.  The station carries such NPR favorites as Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Day to Day, Talk of the Nation and Fresh Air with Terry Gross.  In addition, Boise State Radio provides local and regional news with reporters in Boise, Coeur d'Alene and throughout the Pacific Northwest. 

KBSS was built with funds contributed from the public radio listeners of the Wood River Valley and with a grant from the US Department of Commerce.  Listeners and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting provided additional funding for the digital equipment for KBSS, KBSU, and KBSX.

KBSU is the flagship radio station of the Boise State Radio network.  KBSU airs classical music Sunday through Friday and an eclectic mix of music on Saturdays.

Boise State Radio is the public radio network operating from Boise State University.  The network includes NPR News 91, KBSU Arts & Cultural Programming and Idaho's Jazz Station. 

Boise State Radio operates twenty broadcast facilities in Idaho and northern Nevada.

Click here for more information on HD Radio.