Cameron Baird Foundation Gives $20,000 to WBFO 88.7FM for HD Radio Conversion

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Cameron Baird Foundation has given a $20,000 grant to WBFO 88.7 FM, the National Public Radio affiliate operated by the University at Buffalo, to be used for installing the new technology of broadcasting in digital format, known as HD Radio.

HD Radio will allow WBFO, the region's most listened to NPR station, to offer much better sound quality, and reach a wider audience by broadcasting various programming over three streams instead of one with a clearer signal, according to Carole Smith Petro, associate vice president and WBFO general manager.

"The Cameron Baird Foundation has been a solid and reliable supporter of WBFO's efforts to deliver high quality public radio," Petro said. "We are grateful for their on-going confidence in WBFO. Their support allows the station to take full advantage of current digital, satellite and internet capabilities and places WBFO in the technical forefront of both commercial and public radio stations across the nation."

The funds from the Cameron Baird Foundation will go toward the overall HD Radio project goal of $182,000. Other funders include the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the New York State Education Department, and University at Buffalo faculty members.

"We are pleased to be part of the future of WBFO, which serves its community so well in news, public affairs and music programming. Now with HD Radio WBFO will be able to offer an all news stream, an all music stream and a combination of both, with a clearer signal," stated Barbara Baird.

For more information regarding WBFO and HD Radio, visit the station's Web-site at www.wbfo.org.

WBFO 88.7FM reaches an audience of approximately 100,000 people per week through its main signal in Buffalo and through repeater stations WUBJ 88.1FM in Jamestown and WOLN 91.3FM in Olean. WBFO news department offers comprehensive coverage of regional and world-wide news.  The station also offers a depth of programming not available elsewhere in the community, including NPR/PRI news and entertainment programs, public and cultural affairs programming and jazz and blues.  WBFO has been voted "Best Radio Station in Buffalo" for six years in a row by the readers of Artvoice.