Broadcaster Traffic Consortium Adds 4 Radio Groups

RADIO ONLINE | , , | :am CT

Broadcaster Traffic Consortium (BTC), which launched in 2008 as a new joint venture by eight radio companies to build a nationwide network to distribute traffic data via radio technology, adds Journal Broadcast Group, Regent Communications, Saga Communications and Corus Entertainment.

"Through the addition of these new broadcasting partners and continued contributions by the founding members, BTC has grown to cover U.S. markets numbering 82 FM-RDS and 74 HD Radio Data as well as the top 7 Canadian metropolitan areas with FM-RDS," said Consortium President Paul Brenner, who also serves as Senior VP/Chief Technology Officer for Emmis. "Each organization's commitment to this consortium represents the growing strength of collaboration which unifies the bandwidth capacity and skills within our industry."

BTC is also working with NAVTEQ, a digital map data provider for vehicle navigation and location-based solutions, to use RDS and HD Radio technology to deliver real-time NAVTEQ Traffic and other location-based information directly to portable navigation devices and automobile in-dash systems.

BTC founding members include Beasley Broadcast Group, Bonneville, Cox Radio, Emmis, Entercom, Greater Media, National Public Radio and Radio One.