MUMBAI: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) in the US has announced that grants of over $ five million, in an attempt to help 76 public radio stations in America including 25 serving rural and minority audiences, purchase the equipment needed to transmit digital signalss.

A company release informs that digital radio is an advance in radio broadcast technology that could increase significantly the quality and scope of programme services, as well as to provide richer quality sound than is currently available. CPB is encouraging and supporting the early adoption of the new technology by providing matching funds to the eligible stations.

These funds are part of the nearly $150 million in funding that the US house of Congress has provided to CPB over the last four years to assist both public radio and public television stations to convert from analogue transmission to digital. Additional proposals for the remainder of available 2003 digital radio funds are being reviewed. These funding decisions will be announced next month.

CPB will earmark funding for 2004 to assist more stations, including those serving rural and minority markets in making the digital transition. Stations will be able to apply for another round of digital funding in the next couple of months.

CPB, a private, non profit corporation was created by Congress in 1967. It develops educational public radio, television and online services for Americans. The corporation claims to be the industry's largest single source of funds for national public television and radio programme development and production. CPB a grant making organisation claims to be funding over 1000 public radio and television stations.