San Diego 'Union-Tribune' Launching Second Online Radio Station

By: Joe Strupp More than a year after launching its online music radio station, Amplify SD -- which plays only local music -- the San Diego Union-Tribune has created yet another Web-only broadcast that expands into talk programming and will include newspaper staffers.

"SignOn Radio, found at www.signonradio.com, is devoted to the music and talk of San Diego featuring veteran radio personalities, including Charlie and Harrigan, Happy Hare, Dave Mason and Clark Anthony, as well as Union-Tribune and SignOnSanDiego news staff," a release from the paper's Web site, SignOnSanDiego.com, stated. "Daily programming covers topics such community news and events, food and wine, music, cars, and sports. SignOn Radio will sync information discussed on-air with a streaming blog to provide listeners with an interactive experience."

Adds Chris Jennewein, Union-Tribune vice president, Internet operations, "There?s a trend toward incorporating all the Internet has to offer ? including audio-visual capabilities ? to create forms of journalism that meet consumers? changing media habits, and we?re taking every advantage of that opportunity."

?No other radio station ? public or otherwise ? can even come close to the kind of local coverage that SignOn Radio can provide,? said Ron James, SignOnSanDiego content manager. ?Our studios are located just a few yards from the newsroom of The San Diego Union-Tribune. What other radio station can boast an all-star line-up of radio personalities, backed by the Union-Tribune?s brand and journalistic strength??

In addition to talk radio, the Internet radio station will stream music not found on Amplify SD, the release said, including regional musicians in genres such as jazz, blues and American standards.

Drew Schlosberg, Union-Tribune community and public relations manager ? who will host a weekly show ? said SignOn Radio also allows for "a new level of interaction between listeners and Union-Tribune personalities while providing an outlet to discuss issues important to community members."

Other weekly programs will be hosted by Union-Tribune Opinion Page Editor Bob Kittle, Pop Music Critic George Varga, and ?Wheels? Editor Mark Maynard.