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Words from Andy Skotdal:
"While car companies and technology firms were taking steps toward embracing HD Radio at last week's Consumer Electronics Show, it appears the sales job may need to be inside the radio industry itself. A majority of respondents to an Inside Radio survey believe HD Radio's tipping point is years away - or never."
I need to amend the way I mentioned digital radio to conform with Ibiqity's trademark language (I also modified the end). Here is the corrected language:
Currently, 10%-15% of all the radio stations in America are transmitting digital broadcasts using HD Radio technology. If you only take large markets like Seattle, the percentage is much, much higher, 40-50% of all stations in Seattle are broadcasting in HD. Nearly 90% of Americans are within range of an HD radio signal, so the country is pretty much covered now. From an infrastructure standpoint, the radio industry has moved to support HD radio, particularly among the big groups.
If asked the question about the adoption of HD Radio, I'd say full consumer adoption is years off, too, but it's how they asked the question that matters. Just because I think it will take some time for consumers to adopt HD radio doesn't mean I think the technology is failing. You could argue FM took four decades from inception to full adoption (1940-1980). HD radio adoption will come much faster, particularly as people are exposed to the benefits of the technology in their cars. The list of auto manufacturers installing digital radios is impressive and continues to grow.
www.ibiquity.com has more information on the cars equipped with HD and the latest on the industry adoption.
Andy Skotdal serves on the radio board of the National Association of Broadcasters and is the president and general manager of Fox Sports Radio affiliate KRKO, Everett.
Changing Times: Online Trumps Newspapers Erik Sass
A new survey on media usage from the Opinion Research Corporation confirms what newspaper publishers have long feared: Americans are abandoning print daily newspapers for information in favor of online news.
Puget Sound Radio Broadcasters Association PO Box 9392, Seattle WA 98109 ph.(206) 829-8418