Boston Globe piece on HD radio

[MHB]

Link to the article in today's Globe:

http://www.boston.com/business/personaltech/articles/2007/03/30/hd_radio_pumps_up_volume/

The article talks generally about how HD is doing (so far limited to "early adopters," "fewer than half a million," but expected to rise as receiver prices come down) and talks a little about what two of the big companies (Greater Media, Entercom) are doing with it for their Boston stations.

The print version of the Globe even has a picture of an HD radio receiver and a satellite radio receiver with a brief explanation of the differences.

 

[kalimba]

Seems that the motivation for the article is that Walmart is now selling HD for cars for under $200.

 

[webcastboy]

That's good that Walmart is selling HD Radio now...although I wish they'd sell tabletop radios, too. I can't think that people think "Walmart" when they ask themselves "Where should I get a new car radio?" Still, it's a good thing for marketing when you can tell listeners - go to Radio Shack or Walmart and ask for HD Radio - they'll help you do the rest.

Locally, I've heard that You Do It Electronics in Needham is selling the Sangean HDT-1 component stereo. I have one of those, they're not bad tuners.

Also, I note the article quotes WEEI/WRKO PD Jason Wolfe: "There is a long-term plan for all of our stations to broadcast in HD," said Wolfe. "Nearly all of our FM's are doing it now and I'm sure corporate has a timetable for the AM's as well."

I have to think that timetable has been dictated by the FCC not allowing post-sunset HD Radio...and that, concordantly, when those rules change in the next few weeks, Entercom will hustle to get HD Radio in place on WRKO and, probably, WEEI so they can have the Sox games in HD. That'll be a nice draw to get more listeners to buy HD Radio receivers...which means more ROI on Entercom's overall HD Radio investment.

 

[Eli Polonsky]

Seems that the motivation for the article is that Walmart is now selling HD for cars for under $200.

Do they get the HD-2 channels? Some car HD units get the main HD channels, but not the HD-2's.

Locally, I've heard that You Do It Electronics in Needham is selling the Sangean HDT-1 component stereo. I have one of those, they're not bad tuners.

They also sell the Sangean tabletop HD stereo, but I also went for the HDT-1 tuner. With a 20% off President's Day coupon, it was approximately $160. And, it also has analog C-Quam AM stereo for WJIB! (But, not in wideband).