WVIP HD2 Airing Continuous Reggae Music

[Barry]

The station from New Rochelle on 93.5 FM has had HD2 and HD3 channels for some time. But this is the first time they are airing separate programming on the main and HD2 channels. The reggae on HD2 is not a simulcast of the Caribbean programming on the main channel. The HD3 channel continues to simulcast sister station WVOX AM 1460, which has Music of Your Life standards at night.
My guess is that they will try to lease the time on the HD2, as they have with the HD1. Though leased time on an HD2 is probably a tough sell, there are two other stations in New York that do have leased time programming on their HD2's.

[Barry]

After listening again to WVIP HD2, I found out that it is being leased 24/7 by Wee Radio, a local Caribbean broadcaster. There are some time slots that have DJ's, including some veteran NY West Indian radio guys, such as Spiceman, and Gil Bailey. They also broadcast during certain hours on WNYZ 87.7.
Perhaps ethnic broadcasts will become one of the main uses in urban areas for HD radio multicast channels.

They also stream online. Here is their website address: http://weeradioonline.com/

[Jeffrey]

I'm suprised no one has done it before. With all the caribbean pirates airing reggae it would seem that there is quite an untapped market in New York for a full power fm to air reggae 24/7 and not just on HD2. WVIP doesn't cut it and isn't a full market signal.
Advertising may be an issue although on second thought the pirates don't seem to have any issues finding advertisers....there must be 10 "commercial caribbean pirates" in Brooklyn alone!

[Barry]

Someone has done it before. WSKQ 97.9 HD2 has been leased since late last year to One Caribbean Radio. Besides playing reggae an other Caribbean music, they have several talk shows for the Caribbean community. It has been off the air for the past few days, but that is not at all unusual for HD2 stations.
My guess is that it is currently a tough go. When I have listened to One Caribbean Radio, commercials have been few and far between. And there are still plenty of expenses, even if the lease rate is relatively low.

One Caribbean Radio: http://www.onecaribbeanradio.com/