Minnesota Public Radio Brings The Current's Music Programming to Collegeville/St. Cloud on a new HD Radio Channel

Mar 2, 2010

Listeners in the region with HD radios can tune in to The Current at KNSR 88.9 FM HD2

The Current will also present a Policy and a Pint live event March 25 at Brother Willie's Pub in Collegeville

(St. Paul, Minn.)--March 2, 2010--Minnesota Public Radio announced today it began broadcasting its music service The Current in the Collegeville/St. Cloud area on HD radio channel KNSR 88.9 FM HD2 and via web stream at thecurrent.org.

Residents of Collegeville/St. Cloud are now able to access the singular music programming heard on The Current--the best authentic new music alongside the music that inspired it, from local to legendary, indie to influential, new to nostalgic.

"We're excited to expand our coverage for The Current deeper into the St. Cloud area," said Jim McGuinn, program director, The Current. "It's one of the regions we've gotten the most requests to reach, and thanks to the legacy funding of Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, we're able to accomplish this goal now."

The Current on 88.9 HD2 is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Policy and a Pint on March 25 at Brother Willie's pub, St. John's University, Collegeville

To coincide with the launch of its new service in the region, The Current and The Citizens League will present the popular Policy and Pint series on March 25 at Brother Willie's Pub in Sexton Commons at St. John's University. The topic, "Local Food, Social Capital and Civic Engagement: Thoughts from the Field," will focus on the social, cultural, and civic elements of the local food. Check The Current's website, thecurrent.org, for more details.

About The Current

Wherever it's heard--on the radio, online or through an iPod--The Current brings listeners the best authentic new music alongside music that explores roots and influences. The Current began broadcasting in 2005 as a non-commercial, member-supported radio station based in Minneapolis / St. Paul. Since then, the station has grown into a far-reaching community with members and listeners joining in from around the world at thecurrent.org.

Extending the reach of The Current to new audiences in Minnesota

Minnesota Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Funds support the start-up costs to make The Current, MPR's acclaimed music station, available to more than 350,000 new listeners in Stearns, Pope, Todd, Morrison, Benton, Sherburne, Wright, Meeker and Kandiyohi Counties on digital radio. The Current will provide Central Minnesota listeners with the best new music alongside the music that inspired it, from local to legendary, indie to influential, new to nostalgic, including a heavy emphasis on Minnesota-based musicians, composers and musical groups.

Frequently asked questions about HD Radio

Q: What is HD Radio®?
A: HD Radio® is an exciting new technology that allows radio stations to broadcast digitally in CD-like sound. It also enables stations to "multicast" additional channels on a single frequency.

Q: Why is Minnesota Public Radio investing in HD Radio technology?
A: Minnesota Public Radio constantly seeks to improve its service to listeners and is updating its technology offerings in order to do so. HD Radios allow listeners to enjoy broadcasts with the highest quality sound without static or interference in areas of marginal signal quality.

In addition, HD radio technology will allow Minnesota Public Radio to broadcast multiple programs over the same frequency. For listeners, that will mean more options for music, entertainment and news programming from Minnesota Public Radio.

Minnesota Public Radio is constantly looking for opportunities to create meaningful, engaging public service programming for our audiences. HD Radio® multicasting provides us the opportunity to experiment, expand and diversify our offerings to our listeners, particularly as we offer new content such as The Current's Wonderground Radio® and provide the BBC News and More and Radio Heartland.®

Q: How do I listen to HD Radio?
A: Listeners will need a radio capable of picking up the digital radio signal. As stations across the country add HD broadcast capability, HD-ready receivers are becoming more available and increasingly affordable. HD radios are available at publicradiomarket.org where a portion of your order will also support Minnesota Public Radio. HD radio receivers for your home and car are sold at Best Buy, Target, Radio Shack, The Sharper Image and Wal-Mart.