IBOCRocks pontificated:
So Cal, since I detect a hint of sarcasm in your voice, what are YOUR qualifications, then?
Sarcasm? Me? Never! :

I am way to cynical to be sarcastic!
Like I have said previously, I have no qualifications or accomplishments that I care to share here. I am what network engineering (in contrast to Univision) Dave would call a "radio/tv wannabe". I'm a nobody. I'm nobody who will ever make a difference in the grand scheme of things. I'm low on the radar. I'm part of the great unwashed public that is learning how to live in modern times. "Modern" however, doesn't necessarily mean "better" just because it is so.
I am on the engineering side of things. What about you?
I am always "on the engineering side of things". In general, I LIKE engineers. They are usually forthright, honest, intelligent and tell it like it is. I particularly like the engineers who really know what they're talking about. I learn from those guys!
Unfortunately though, broadcast upper management doesn't often listen to engineers (until of course it is too late and they are already "off the air"). So when engineers look at a technology like HD/IBOC, conclude that it is somebody's idea of a band aid that will only provide an engineering solution to a programming problem but are nevertheless forced to accommodate it and then install it anyway, it makes one wonder whether what forces are really in control of what we hear on the radio and see on TV. I can tell you that it certainly isn't the engineers!
As long as we have bean counters running the broadcating conglomerates who are interested only in profit and how cheaply they can get away with producing the product then we are going to get beans for programming. But for radio, a side benefit of IBOC is that we get to hear those beans in HD! There is something wrong with THAT model as well. It didn't used to be like that.