2,500 stations have now signed on to broadcast digital radio signals from their ground towers using this new standard.
This is radio's response to XM and Sirrus satellite radio. The only problem is that HD radio will require new equipment, just like satellite radio. And they still have the issue of limitations on broadcasting using ground towers.
Here's a snippet of the release:
The company charged with developing the standard for digital radio in the United States said on Wednesday it has struck deals to convert another 2,000 stations nationwide to its format.
The industry-backed iBiquity Digital Corp. said the new AM and FM outlets would bring the total number of stations broadcasting in the digital standard, called HD Radio, to 2,500 across the country.
HD Radio, the traditional broadcast radio business's answer to satellite, promises CD-quality audio without static or hiss, along with supplemental data services like song information and traffic reports.
Read the full story here.
-aB
2 comments:
I work for a major radio conglomerate. The radio station is so far behind the 8-ball on digital radio.
Half of them realize that they have to get on board with better programming options, but the other are too cheap to even care.
Radio is a low margin business. All stations were supposed to be transmitting RDS (Radio Data System) data by the first of this year. That's the signal that makes the call letters and other info scroll by on newer radio receivers. But many, many stations are still dragging their feet on this pretty small expense.
- Mark
They'll still have the same sucky DJ's, the same top 5 songs once per hour, the same commercials, censored content and you will have only a few major station choices per city. Also, the ground based transmitter only transmits so far. 300 bucks is a lot of money to see little words scroll across your screen. It may be a free broadcast but you get what you pay for and I'm not going to settle for that. I'm very happy with my $500 lifetime subscription to Sirius, thank you
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