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ATL HD Radio Questions and Changes

L

louisNatl

Guest
Does anybody know what is happening to the HD2 stations with all of the changes going on?

I have noticed that the HD2 format of 99X is not broadcasting anymore. It was broadcasting dead air earlier, but now it no longer exists and has been deleted.

According to Ibiquity, both Q100 and 92.9 Dave FM are scheduled to start broadcasting secondary HD2 formats of a 90's format and deep classic rock respectively. If Q100 has scrapped these plans, does this imply that Cumulus is not interested in HD radio? I have noticed that not many of their stations broadcast in HD. Also, is it possible that CBS is holding off with the HD2 format for Dave in case the ratings don't improve?

What is happening with the HD2 formats of the Clear Channel stations? Will they move their HD2 formats to the correct stations to compliment the main station? It makes sense to move the Buzz Incubator from 105.3 to 96.1 to compliment Project. I have noticed the HD2 signal at 105.3 is dead air. Will CC launch a new Hispanic format on the 105.3 HD2 signal? Apparently, 96.7 and 105.7 both have different Hispanic formats on their HD2 signals. If that happens, it was total 3 HD2 Hispanic formats in this market. No offense, but CC must think that every Mexican in this area owns a HD radio ;D

The Vinyl Vineyard (96.1 HD2) and the Oldies format (94.9 HD-2) are enjoyable and fill a void in this market but I wonder what will happen to them now that both primary stations are changing formats. I have also noticed that the playlists of both of these HD2 stations have not been updated in quite some time. IS CC giving up on HD Radio already or are they just distracted with everything else going on?

Lincoln Financial, Cox, ABC, and WABE seem to be the only companies in the market committed to HD Radio. Star 94 HD2 is updated constantly with an eclectic variety. The same can be said of the Cox stations (Power 95, Jamz 104.1, etc.). WABE's classical and talk streams bring much needed variety to the market as well. The Wolf 101.5 is also a nice addition.

Finally, does anyone know if Radio One has plans to launch HD2 formats? I have noticed that all of their stations are broadcasting in HD now but none of them have secondary stations. If they are smart, they could get very creative with this. The HD2 station on Praise 97.5 could play Jammin' Oldies or Urban Oldies similar to the original format on 102.5. While 102.5 could have a HD2 station to compliment their daytime talk by broadcasting a black talk and progressive talk channel as an alternative to WAOK. They could tap into some of the resources of TV One and possibly even pick up some of the Air America programs. WJZZ HD2 could broadcast different types of jazz from big band swing to modern jazz to New Orleans. HOT 107.9 HD2 could use a "churban" format similar to Movin' that leans heavily urban. They could throw some dance and hip hop remixes to compliment the upbeat format. I have noticed that Radio One doesn't stray outside the urban formats. They have a few stations that are alternative, CHR, and country, but those are stations that kept their original formats and were not flipped when Radio One acquired them. If Radio One decides to launch stictly urban formats on all of their HD2 signals, that would mean that 80% of the HD Radio formats in Atlanta would be some form of urban or Hispanic since V-103 and Kiss 104.1 already broadcasts urban formats on their HD2 stations. Hopefully, Radio One will try to target diverse audiences. I will say that all of the Radio One HD steams sound really nice (along with Cox and WABE).

Does anyone else have any info or thoughts on any of these issues?
 
At one point, I believe several of the owners agreed on HD 2 formats for their several stations; and agreed that HD 2 would be commercial - free for a reasonable period... 18 months or so. Not everyone joined the agreement. As to 99x, their owners certainly haven't shown themselves to be particularly astute in the industry, there's no reason to believe they will be any more so in the HD2 arena. They fired most of the people from Susquehanna who understaood HD, it may be that they simply haven't anyone on board who understands it.
 
I bought an HD Radio at Radio Shack for 99 bucks on Black Friday, and have been enjoying trying it out. WABE has two HD signals, one all classical music, one all NPR news type shows.

I have noticed that the lineup for Atlanta at HDRadio.com does not line up with what I'm picking up. There are several HD stations listend there that I can't tune in, and a few that I found by scanning.

Still, at this point the pickins are pretty slim.
 
day1radio said:
I bought an HD Radio at Radio Shack for 99 bucks on Black Friday, and have been enjoying trying it out. WABE has two HD signals, one all classical music, one all NPR news type shows.

I have noticed that the lineup for Atlanta at HDRadio.com does not line up with what I'm picking up. There are several HD stations listend there that I can't tune in, and a few that I found by scanning.

Still, at this point the pickins are pretty slim.
Click to expand...

Exactly! Dave is not broadcasting a deep classic rock station and Q100 is not broadcasting an all 90's format. Both formats would be really enjoyable and I hope bring us something soon. CBS Radio has some really interesting HD2 formats in other markets. Some of them include a format branded as My HD which is an interactive request channel, comedy, old school hip-hop, indie rock, reggae, and a chill format that plays downtempo and electronic music. Any of these formats would be a nice addition. The Neo Soul format on V-103 HD2 seems very well produced. On the CBS Radio website, it does list Dave as having an HD2 feed of deep classic rock. Has anyone been able to pick it up? I am not sure if we have any reps from CBS Atlanta on this board, but maybe Rodney can find out for us.

I checked this morning and the 99X HD2 feed is up and running now. I don't know what happened but it's good that they haven't totally scrapped it. However, I doubt we will ever get the 90's station that was originally planned for Q100.
 
littlejohn said:
At one point, I believe several of the owners agreed on HD 2 formats for their several stations; and agreed that HD 2 would be commercial - free for a reasonable period... 18 months or so.
Click to expand...

The owners have nothing to do with HD-2 being commercial free, this is governed by the FCC. Because they are running under an experimental license they are not allowed to air commercials directly or non-directly. The FCC was suppose to create rules for HD back in July but were shelved duiring the meeting when a merger invovling Adelphia took up most of the time.
 
>The owners have nothing to do with HD-2 being commercial free, this is governed by the FCC.

Could ya quote that Rule for me, number or text?

Thanks.
 
Dave's HD-2 format will be on in early 2007. Numerous projects...not the least of which was a major transmitter move pushed this one into 2007.
 
"The owners have nothing to do with HD-2 being commercial free, this is governed by the FCC. "

I dont know if this is accurate. Radio groups got together and made the joint decision to keep in commercial free to sell it through as a answer to satellite radio. It was thought if everyone agreed to the 18 month period, it would help sell the HD platform. Everybody bought into that logic, whether or not they agreed to everything the alliance called for. Some companies did not want the alliance to pick the HD formats for them based on market rank. Some groups made the decision for their managers, some groups let the managers decide.
 
no1uno said:
"The owners have nothing to do with HD-2 being commercial free, this is governed by the FCC. "

I dont know if this is accurate. Radio groups got together and made the joint decision to keep in commercial free to sell it through as a answer to satellite radio. It was thought if everyone agreed to the 18 month period, it would help sell the HD platform. Everybody bought into that logic, whether or not they agreed to everything the alliance called for. Some companies did not want the alliance to pick the HD formats for them based on market rank. Some groups made the decision for their managers, some groups let the managers decide.
Click to expand...

This makes sense. I don't think it is an FCC mandate. Many HD2 signals are broadcasts of sister AM stations which air commercials. It's good to hear that Dave's HD2 stream will be on soon. Thanks for the update.
 
no1uno said:
"The owners have nothing to do with HD-2 being commercial free, this is governed by the FCC. "

I dont know if this is accurate. Radio groups got together and made the joint decision to keep in commercial free to sell it through as a answer to satellite radio. It was thought if everyone agreed to the 18 month period, it would help sell the HD platform. Everybody bought into that logic, whether or not they agreed to everything the alliance called for. Some companies did not want the alliance to pick the HD formats for them based on market rank. Some groups made the decision for their managers, some groups let the managers decide.
Click to expand...

Sec. 74.182 Program service and charges.

(a) The licensee of an experimental broadcast station may transmit program
material only when necessary to the experiments being conducted, and no
regular program service may be broadcast unless specifically authorized.

(b) The licensee of an experimental broadcast station may make no charges
nor ask for any payment, directly or indirectly, for the production or
transmission of any programming or information used for experimental
broadcast purposes.
 
None of the local FMs are experimental broadcast stations. They're all either licensed or operating under PTA on Construction Permits.
It's an interesting thought though... a bitstream is a bitstream, how it's allocated doesn't affect it. Again, technology has outrun the law, we'll see what comes of it. Although for some while, WSRV had WSB audio up on the HD 2 allocation, including commercials. Matterofact it's there now, with commercials(7:20P Friday the 8th). With an incredibly bad Joe Pine imitator taking calls.
In order to broadcast in HD, a licensee need only inform the Commission via the Secretary that they are doing so, within I believe ten days of commencement of the service, and specify the use of Ibiquity compatible signals. Operation must of course be within the parameters of the Rules, thus the IBOC carriers must fall below the NRSC emissions mask.
 
Just so you know, you need an experimental license to air HD2 or HD3, take a look at the following websites:

http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1127690
http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1122263

It will show WSTR and WSRV have been issued experimetal licenses (expire after one year). Plus if you look closer WSTR has an STA, that is to broadcast in HD (Main Channel) and have been issued two for this year.

Yes, WSRV is airing commercials, but that is part of the PROGRAMMING from WSB-AM, not being sold seperately by the sales department. You cannot air commercials on HD2 or HD3, directly or indirectly that is the rule.

The FCC has no formal rules for HD yet, it is entirely experimental.

BTW, how do I know this, I placed and maintain a HD station on the air in this market.
 
HD 2/3/etc were never originally part of the Ibiquity HD radio system. In fact, neither was a mono mode. NPR found a way to kludge multicasting onto the Ibiquity standard, which is why the multicasting requires an experimental authorization.
 
Does anyone know the status of the Q100 HD2 station that will have an All 90's format or if Cumulus is even committed to IBOC? The 99X HD2 format is still broadcasting but it was launched before the Cumulus takeover from Susquehanna.
 
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