thePULSEBy Mike Monopoli
Check out Worcester’s Pride on 96.1 HD2, a new high-definition radio station brought to you by Clear Channel and WSRS Radio. High-definition radio is made possible by a new technology that allows the signal to be broadcast digitally, providing CD quality sound over the airwaves. All that is needed to receive these broadcasts is an HD receiver, available at your local electronics store. There are no activation or subscription fees. The station can also be heard live on the website WorcestersPride.com, where you can find plenty of news and entertainment aimed at the GLBT community.
The format of Pride Radio, coined as “America’s gay channel,” was first introduced in April, 2006 and was created by gay and lesbian development staff in Clear Channel’s format lab; it has since become its most successful format genre yet. Their weekly signature talk show, “Pride with Ryan and Caroline,” promises a genuinely fun experience, including a line for listeners to call in to be part of the show. “There’s a whole untargeted, underserved gay audience out there that radio is missing,” says Darren Davis, Vice President of Programming and Operations at Clear Channel, “And this show captures it.” Ryan and Caroline can be heard live on Sunday nights, with re-plays throughout the week. Sometimes referred to as “The Will and Grace of radio,” the two first met in 2000 and quickly became best friends. They later created the popular movie review blog WeSeeMovies.com. Both have worked in television and produced for networks like MTV, VH1, Showtime and Nickelodeon. The gay/straight duo thrives on pop culture and celebrity gossip and has even earned the Brangelina-style nickname “Ryaline.”
Pride Radio also features music targeted to the GLBT community. “It’s pretty much the type of music you’d hear if you were in a dance club in New York or LA,” says Tom Holt, Program Director at WSRS. “There’s not a lot of talk in between songs, they play a number of cuts in a row. The music is primarily high-energy dance music, but also features contemporary and pop. We took the station downtown for the Summer National block party and set up the music on the street. A lot of people were interested in what it was and how to get it.”
In addition to crystal clear music, Pride Radio also provides entertainment news, fashion tips with stylist Phillip Bloch, and celebrity gossip from Perez Hilton, as well as “Guest of the Hour” appearances by high profile personalities.
96.1 HD2
