MBTA Launches T - Radio Pilot Program

Keeping the Customer Informed

BOSTON, Mass. — October 10, 2007— Today, T-customers at MBTA’s North Station, South Station, and Airport platforms will experience a unique information and entertainment pilot program designed specifically with them in mind. T-Radio is an expertly programmed radio format where informative news, entertainment and safety announcements are seamlessly integrated with music to appeal to Boston’s multi-cultural T-rider demographics. Conceived for the MBTA by Boston radio innovator, Rich Balsbaugh, of Pyramid Radio, Inc., the two entities worked collaboratively to design the format.

Continually seeking innovative ways to enhance the customer’s experience, MBTA General Manager Daniel A. Grabauskas said, “This is a great opportunity to provide the customer with up-to-date information in an engaging and entertaining format.  Providing news, sports and weather along with service alerts while also promoting destinations that can be accessed via public transportation are just a few of the many features available on T–Radio.  I look forward to hearing customer feedback on this pilot program.”

To help measure rider feedback, Pyramid will work with a team of Emerson students to survey T-customers at the three stations on whether they like the overall concept, and if so, which features they like the best and which ones they like least.  Additionally, customers will soon be able to leave feedback directly via MBTA.com.  Customer feedback will determine whether T-Radio is kept at the three stations and the possibility of it being expanded throughout the system. 

On the Orange and Green Line platforms at North Station, the Red and Silver Line platforms at South Station and at Airport Station, T-Radio will operate continuously throughout the day with technological capability to provide time sensitive safety information as necessary. 

T-Radio entertainment, information and news features Boston-based celebrities and sports figures in 30 and 60-second segments designed for people on the go. Contributors include Boston comedian and television actor, Lenny Clarke, former Boston Bruin, Lyndon Byers, entertainment reporter Joyce Kulhawik of WBZ-TV4, and an array of Boston radio personalities and media figures.

"Pyramid Radio designs creative audio entertainment and blends it with pertinent information for real people. We brought in renowned Boston personalities and radio veteran Ed McMann to program it, so that we would deliver a product commuters will enjoy listening to," says Rich Balsbaugh, CEO and president of Pyramid Radio.

T-Radio will provide streamlined information in attention-grabbing mini-features, interspersed with music.  The Mini-features range from health and lifestyle reports to sports and entertainment news. T-Radio encourages public transportation travel by highlighting fun and family-oriented events and places that are accessible by the MBTA. T-Radio encompasses music across the last five decades up to and including current chart hits. The music covers many genres: Rock, R&B, Top 40, pop hits, Latin chart toppers, and mainstream crowd pleasers.  According to Ed McMann, who will anchor T-Radio, "We’ll try to play something for everyone, from Motown to modern rock”.

Do you have feedback on T-Radio? Enter it here!

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About Pyramid Radio, Inc.
Pyramid Radio delivers branded audio solutions for consumer environments. Our media enhances the consumer experience with entertainment and information.  We are headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. A team of seasoned advertising, radio and retail experts work together in multidisciplinary roles to collaborate with clients in retail and public spaces.  We use our audio expertise and deep understanding of how to communicate with consumers to deliver radio-quality entertainment with messaging that adds value to consumer experiences. Founded in 2005 by radio media innovator Rich Balsbaugh, who owned 16 major market radio stations including WXKS-FM (Kiss 108)/Boston, Pyramid Radio is passionate about connecting consumers with creative music entertainment and the information they desire, where and when they need it. Our website address is: www.pyramidradioinc.com

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