BUSINESS BRIEFS
Broadcasters try to block Sirius
Advertiser Staff and News Services
The Hawai'i Association of Broadcasters has joined a petition to deny Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. permission to provide a Honolulu radio service using ground-based repeater technology.
Sirius' application, filed last November, remains in a comment period and has not been granted, according to the Federal Communications Commission. Hawai'i broadcasters are joined by the Alaska Broadcasters Association and the National Association of Broadcasters in opposing Sirius.
Sirius, which recently announced plans to merge with rival XM Satellite Radio, wants temporary authority to provide its satellite-based service to subscribers from a 429-foot tower in Honolulu.
FM RADIO STATION FIRST TO GO DIGITAL
Local FM radio station KUCD has become the first Hawai'i station to offer digital radio. The station, owned by based Clear Channel Communications Inc., launched the service Sunday. Listeners with special digital radio receivers can receive the signal as 101.9-2 on their digital dials. The new channel will offer heavy metal music, while 101.9-1 will continue to offer alternative music.
KSSK FM, KDNN and KIKI plan to launch next-generation digital broadcasts later this year.
ATA AIRLINES TO ADD KONA ROUTE
ATA Airlines will offer a new direct flight between Kona and Oakland, Calif., three days a week, starting June 14.
The flight will depart Oakland every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, at 6 p.m. and land in Kona at 8:20 p.m.
On the way back, the flight will depart Kona at 9:45 p.m. and arrive in Oakland at 6 a.m. The Boeing 737-800 has 148 coach seats and 12 business-class seats, and flies between Oakland and Lihu'e the rest of the week (on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday).
