Emmis launches 96.3 HD-3 with smooth jazz format

Via stlmedia.net, word is that Emmis Communications this Tuesday launched a new smooth jazz HD Radio station in St. Louis at 96.3 HD-3. Dubbed "Smooth and Sexy," the station "will be filled with great artists like Dave Koz, Paul Hardcastle, David Benoit, The Rippingtons and Boney James."

Specific programming blocks include "Sunday Morning Tranquility," which will feature musicians such as Enya, Rufus Wainwright, Ottmar Liebert, Eva Cassidy and Nick Drake; "The Groove Suite" on Friday and Saturday nights, with artists like Down To The Bone, Four80East and Soundscape UK; "The Saturday Night Lounge," featuring the likes of Zero 7, Air, Moby and Massive Attack; and "All-Request Saturday Afternoons."

The music director for 96.3 HD-3 is Jason Church, who also does the news for Emmis' 97.1 FM Talk. Church previously worked at the now-defunct smooth jazz station WSSM and at Lindenwood University's KCLC, and also operates a mobile DJ service.

Not to be confused with satellite radio, HD radio is a free over-the-air service that works by bundling digital signals along with a radio station's analog transmissions; it requires a special receiver to decode. For more about HD radio, go here, here or here.

(Edited after posting to correct the last name of the station's music director.)