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Are you ready for Smooth Jazz 102.7?

J

js

Cincinnati has 3 new radio stations, but practically no one can hear them! Clear Channel has turned on HD2 multicasting on The Fox, WEBN, & Kiss. The Fox is running Working Man's Blues, WEBN is Smooth Jazz, and Kiss is Kissin' Country.

WMUB has an all Jazz channel on their HD2.

For more on HD radio:

http://www.ibiquity.com/

<p align="center">
Cincy-HD.jpg
</p>
 
> Cincinnati has 3 new radio stations, but practically no one
> can hear them! Clear Channel has turned on HD2 multicasting
> on The Fox, WEBN, & Kiss. The Fox is running Working Man's
> Blues, WEBN is Smooth Jazz, and Kiss is Kissin' Country.
>
> WMUB has an all Jazz channel on their HD2.
>
> For more on HD radio:
>
> http://www.ibiquity.com/
>

Thanks for posting that! Although I don't live anywhere near this market, I'm always interested in hearing about HD radio developments.

Were those pictures taken of a Boston Acoustics HD Radio Recepter's screen, by any chance?

And, sorry for asking what might be a silly question, but what exactly is "Working Man's Blues"? I'm not familiar with that format.
 
> Cincinnati has 3 new radio stations, but practically no one
> can hear them! Clear Channel has turned on HD2 multicasting
> on The Fox, WEBN, & Kiss. The Fox is running Working Man's
> Blues, WEBN is Smooth Jazz, and Kiss is Kissin' Country.
>
> WMUB has an all Jazz channel on their HD2.
>
> For more on HD radio:
>
> http://www.ibiquity.com/
>

Thanks for posting that! Although I don't live anywhere near this market, I'm always interested in hearing about HD radio developments.

Were those pictures taken of a Boston Acoustics HD Radio Recepter's screen, by any chance?

And, sorry for asking what might be a silly question, but what exactly is "Working Man's Blues"? I'm not familiar with that format.
 
> Were those pictures taken of a Boston Acoustics HD Radio
> Recepter's screen, by any chance?
>
> And, sorry for asking what might be a silly question, but
> what exactly is "Working Man's Blues"? I'm not familiar with
> that format.

My radio is the Panasonic CQ-CB9900U. I wish that I had the Boston Acoustics model. My radio doesn't support multicasting! I can see the station ID, but that's it. The main HD channels sound great, but I can't listen to HD2. If you're in the market for HD, do some research first. I wish that I had. The current model Panasonic is the CQ-CB8901U, and I'm not even sure if it receives multicasts.

"Working Man's Blues"...your guess is as good as mine!
 
> > Were those pictures taken of a Boston Acoustics HD Radio
> > Recepter's screen, by any chance?
> >
> > And, sorry for asking what might be a silly question, but
> > what exactly is "Working Man's Blues"? I'm not familiar
> with
> > that format.
>
> My radio is the Panasonic CQ-CB9900U. I wish that I had the
> Boston Acoustics model. My radio doesn't support
> multicasting! I can see the station ID, but that's it. The
> main HD channels sound great, but I can't listen to HD2. If
> you're in the market for HD, do some research first. I wish
> that I had. The current model Panasonic is the CQ-CB8901U,
> and I'm not even sure if it receives multicasts.
>
> "Working Man's Blues"...your guess is as good as mine!
>

That's too bad about you not being able to receive multicasts! As far as the CQ-CB8901U goes, I did a bit of research and I don't see anything about it being multicast-capable.

At this point, I'm just trying to save up money for the Radiosophy model that should come out in March or April, I'm guessing. Then, if I have enough money (and if more Albuquerque stations convert to HD), I'll try to buy HD-ready radios for the vehicles.

Just curious, have you had an opportunity to test the coverage of HD signals? If so, what kinds of results have you had?
 
I thought Mix 94.1 was multicasting? Its listed on the ibiquity website as a HD multicaster. CC should put Real Oldies on one of the sub channels.






> Cincinnati has 3 new radio stations, but practically no one
> can hear them! Clear Channel has turned on HD2 multicasting
> on The Fox, WEBN, & Kiss. The Fox is running Working Man's
> Blues, WEBN is Smooth Jazz, and Kiss is Kissin' Country.
>
> WMUB has an all Jazz channel on their HD2.
>
> For more on HD radio:
>
> http://www.ibiquity.com/
>
 
> Just curious, have you had an opportunity to test the
> coverage of HD signals? If so, what kinds of results have
> you had?

I live about 20 miles north of Cincinnati, and 40 miles south Dayton. Coverage for both is decent here, but not perfect. WIZF Cincinnati & WXEG Dayton don't have enough signal to activate HD in Hamilton. Basically, if analog sounds good HD will too. 102.7 WEBN has quite a few HD dropouts up here, probably because of 50,000 watt 102.9 WDHT Springfield on the first adjacent.

I described my AM results here:
http://www.radio-info.com/mods/board?Post=630536&Board=cincinnati
 
> I thought Mix 94.1 was multicasting? Its listed on the
> ibiquity website as a HD multicaster. CC should put Real
> Oldies on one of the sub channels.

The Mix ID tag says:
"HD1 More Music Variety/HD2 Same Thing"

I'm sure that something is in the works. I'd like to see WLW on one of the FM hd services, since AM HD is daytime only and not perfect.

Real Oldies seems like a perfect fit for Fox. Blues? Must be a Gary Burbank thing.
 
I read your review..Interesting that WLW was the first to test AM -HD in Cincinnati at night. Surprised they did not leave it on during the day. I would imagine that all of CC Cincinnati will be HD by the end of this year.

AM HD is daytime
> only and not perfect.
>
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by microbob on 01/15/06 08:06 PM.</FONT></P>
 
> I read your review..Interesting that WLW was the first to
> test AM -HD in Cincinnati at night. Surprised they did not
> leave it on during the day. I would imagine that all of CC
> Cincinnati will be HD by the end of this year.
>
> AM HD is daytime
> > only and not perfect.
> >
>

I am willing to bet I have more listeners on my net station than people have HD radios in Cincinnati. The marketing effort on this has been poor.
 
> > I thought Mix 94.1 was multicasting? Its listed on the
> > ibiquity website as a HD multicaster. CC should put Real
> > Oldies on one of the sub channels.
>
> The Mix ID tag says:
> "HD1 More Music Variety/HD2 Same Thing"
>
> I'm sure that something is in the works. I'd like to see
> WLW on one of the FM hd services, since AM HD is daytime
> only and not perfect.
>
> Real Oldies seems like a perfect fit for Fox. Blues? Must
> be a Gary Burbank thing.
>
Who else besides WOFX, WKFS and WEBN are Multicasting in Cincinnati.
 
Your right about the poor marketing effort. Does any radio station that's in HD even mention it locally? Some stations are now mentioning the fact that they are broadcasting in HD




> I am willing to bet I have more listeners on my net station
> than people have HD radios in Cincinnati. The marketing
> effort on this has been poor.
>
 
> I read your review..Interesting that WLW was the first to
> test AM -HD in Cincinnati at night. Surprised they did not
> leave it on during the day. I would imagine that all of CC
> Cincinnati will be HD by the end of this year.

When has 700 tested at night? Are they now? I'll have to listen up here in Columbus and see if I notice any difference. The only changes in signal I've noticed lately are that I seem to be expering more groundwave/skywave cancellation than usual. Other than that, I have heard WOR on 710 lately so the HD can't be making a huge difference up here.
 
This was at least 3 or 4yrs ago. The FCC gave them temporary authority to do testing at night to see what kind of interference problems it would cause. It did cause problems with WOR and after several weeks they stopped testing at night.

At the time, they were also running IBOC during the day as well and haven't since




> When has 700 tested at night? Are they now? I'll have to
> listen up here in Columbus and see if I notice any
> difference. The only changes in signal I've noticed lately
> are that I seem to be expering more groundwave/skywave
> cancellation than usual. Other than that, I have heard WOR
> on 710 lately so the HD can't be making a huge difference up
> here.
> <P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by microbob on 01/16/06 04:55 AM.</FONT></P>
 
This is only a test.

>
> I am willing to bet I have more listeners on my net station
> than people have HD radios in Cincinnati. The marketing
> effort on this has been poor.
>
You mean John Hogan didn't email you directly and tell you they are testing the stations? Wow, maybe it's because the marketing hasn't started yet. Mix has been testing for a while.

They've had Oldies, Country and Jazz on at various times. Fox has been playing Americana-Bluegrass. Kiss had Country on HD2 for a test this weekend.

HD is really going to open the format selection up. I just hope they do it right.
 
Re: This is only a test.

> >
> > I am willing to bet I have more listeners on my net
> station
> > than people have HD radios in Cincinnati. The marketing
> > effort on this has been poor.
> >
> You mean John Hogan didn't email you directly and tell you
> they are testing the stations? Wow, maybe it's because the
> marketing hasn't started yet. Mix has been testing for a
> while.
>
> They've had Oldies, Country and Jazz on at various times.
> Fox has been playing Americana-Bluegrass. Kiss had Country
> on HD2 for a test this weekend.
>
> HD is really going to open the format selection up. I just
> hope they do it right.
>

1. The initial post was that these stations were being broadcast in HD2 now as a set format not an engineering test.

2. There is still no brand awareness about HD radio outside of a few radio geeks and audiophiles. The general public is going to the internet and XM/Sirius for alternatives to traditional broadcasting.

3. It all goes back to my point, if no one can hear it what's the point? None of the formats being tested would move someone to buy a new expensive radio when they already have multiple radios around the house. In other words there is no demand for the product, especially at its current price.

4. I'm not expecting a personal email from John Hogan no more than I expected one from Abrams when XM launched. XM spent millions on marketing and new subscriber acquisitions. Will radio take the same risk? I doubt it, plus even HD radio will still be bound by the FCC indecency rules, will be limited by signal, and I don't believe that format diversification will be as great as some believe.

Until the price comes down on the units, until radio begins pushing HD radio instead of their stupid "radio you shouldn't have to pay for it" ads, this is a medium that will never truly see fruition.
 
This IS only a test

Good God, tito. Don't you think that broadcasters should test it before they market it? And of course nobody knows about it because it's not ready yet. Only a few stations in town are capable of multi-casting anyway. It's not going to be marketed until it's ready.

Stop with the "satellite is taking over the world" nonsense.

Satellite = 10 million isteners

Radio = 140 million listeners

Analysts predict there will be 24 million satellite listeners by 2008, and that may be high. Other analysts are saying that Sirius may have peaked with the "Howard" craze, and that it may not be sustained. Even so, that still leaves well over 115 million people listening to terrestrial radio.

Most of the people I know with satellite never listened to regular radio anyway.

Will radio take the same risk? It already has. Do you even realize how much it costs to convert to digital, and then even more to get multi-casting capability? There is growing concern about the future of the industry and broadacasters' livelihoods are at stake.

On what do you base your contention that "format diversification will NOT be as great as some believe?" Just your proven bitterness towards radio people?

You guys have got to realize that radio is NOT the center of everyone's universe, and that most people use it on a casual basis. If they can get double or triple the amount of channels FOR FREE, they're going to think that's great. But not everybody gives a crap!<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Oscar on 01/17/06 02:14 AM.</FONT></P>
 
> > Cincinnati has 3 new radio stations, but practically no
> one
> > can hear them! Clear Channel has turned on HD2
> multicasting
> > on The Fox, WEBN, & Kiss. The Fox is running Working
> Man's
> > Blues, WEBN is Smooth Jazz, and Kiss is Kissin' Country.
> >
> > WMUB has an all Jazz channel on their HD2.
> >
> > For more on HD radio:
> >
> > http://www.ibiquity.com/
> >
>
> Thanks for posting that! Although I don't live anywhere near
> this market, I'm always interested in hearing about HD radio
> developments.
>
> Were those pictures taken of a Boston Acoustics HD Radio
> Recepter's screen, by any chance?
>
> And, sorry for asking what might be a silly question, but
> what exactly is "Working Man's Blues"? I'm not familiar with
> that format.
>
Ilive in PA if I were to get a HD radio would I pick up KISS.
<P ID="signature">______________
Roger</P>
 
> Ilive in PA if I were to get a HD radio would I pick up
> KISS.

Don't know about the whole band, but I've always heard that Gene Simmons is easy.
 
Re: This IS only a test

> Good God, tito. Don't you think that broadcasters should
> test it before they market it? And of course nobody knows
> about it because it's not ready yet. Only a few stations in
> town are capable of multi-casting anyway. It's not going to
> be marketed until it's ready.

Yes I believe they should test it though the way people are acting on the boards and in the industry they are acting like the reinvented radio. I just don't see it, though I will admit I haven't heard it. Still I have business doubts that it will be succesful even if technically it is a masterpiece.


>
> Stop with the "satellite is taking over the world" nonsense.
>
>
> Satellite = 10 million isteners

10 million subscribers. That is the near equivelent of 10 million households. Listener counts are probably closer to 40 million+. In my previous position at work there were 10 people listening to my XM boombox, and that was when there were only 75,000 subs to XM and Sirius had yet to launch. Also while XM was beta testing their product there were some limited advertising preparing for the launch that was delayed tue to the 9/11 attacks.


>
> Radio = 140 million listeners
>
> Analysts predict there will be 24 million satellite
> listeners by 2008, and that may be high. Other analysts are
> saying that Sirius may have peaked with the "Howard" craze,
> and that it may not be sustained. Even so, that still
> leaves well over 115 million people listening to terrestrial
> radio.
>

I still listen to terrestrial radio. I'm not one saying that terrestrial radio is going to die, just will need to change in some creative way. HD multicasting in itself is not the answer, though it could be.

> Most of the people I know with satellite never listened to
> regular radio anyway.

This is an ethnocentric perspective and can not be used to generalize satellite radio listeners.

>
> Will radio take the same risk? It already has. Do you even
> realize how much it costs to convert to digital, and then
> even more to get multi-casting capability? There is growing
> concern about the future of the industry and broadacasters'
> livelihoods are at stake.
>

My question is how long will shareholders be patient to see the return on the investment? HD radio is not going to become reality in the short term, probably not until well into the next decade, and by that time Wi-Fi may make this argument moot.


> On what do you base your contention that "format
> diversification will NOT be as great as some believe?" Just
> your proven bitterness towards radio people?

I have no bitterness whatsoever towards radio people. I have just heard the same arguments before about how the laxing of ownership rules in the Communication Acts of 95 & 96 were supposed to increase format diversity. What happened is the opposite. The multicasting signals will probably be used in a similar fashion, which there is nothing wrong with by the way. Clear Channel will not add a new format to the market but instead will add formats that enhance their current selection of formats and protect their money makers. Infinity will do the same. It probably will improve format diversity over its current state but will not compare to the diversity on the other digital media of Satellite or internet.


>
> You guys have got to realize that radio is NOT the center of
> everyone's universe, and that most people use it on a casual
> basis. If they can get double or triple the amount of
> channels FOR FREE, they're going to think that's great. But
> not everybody gives a crap!
>

I agree that radio is not the center of everyone's universe which is why until an HD radio is priced similar to the 10 dollar radio that you can buy at the dollar store it won't reach beyond audiophiles and radio geeks. Without a deal to place HD radios as standard equipment in automobiles it will be nothing more than a good idea executed poorly, kind of like the XFL and New Coke.
 
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