"But is 'availability' of HD radios the problem?"

[PocketRadio]

"But is 'availability' of HD radios the problem?"

"They can't find the radios even if they want one. That's one way some folks explain HD radio's sputtering sales... The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. And one broadcaster reported to me that he asked an iBiquity rep how many HD radios had actually been sold as of the most recent accounting. And this was his answer: 150,000."

http://www.hear2.com/2007/04/but_is_availabi.html#comments

Yup, it's only 150,000 (right), minus returns - shall we optimistically put that number at 75,000 ? Excuses, excuses !

 

[dbdigital]

"But is 'availability' of HD radios the problem?"

"They can't find the radios even if they want one. That's one way some folks explain HD radio's sputtering sales... The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. And one broadcaster reported to me that he asked an iBiquity rep how many HD radios had actually been sold as of the most recent accounting. And this was his answer: 150,000."

http://www.hear2.com/2007/04/but_is_availabi.html#comments

Yup, it's only 150,000 (right), minus returns - shall we optimistically put that number at 75,000 ? Excuses, excuses !

Mark makes a good point about how these retail ads are laid out. In the Best Buy ad, HD Radio is squeezed along side MP3 players and satellite radio, its competition, on the same page. The JVC unit looks like just another in-dash receiver that most of us already have. Not a very effective campaign.

One has to wonder just how committed these big box retailers are to HD Radio.

db

 

[PocketRadio]

True - Mark also pointed out that these retailers are getting free advertising, in exchange for carrying HD radios.

 

[Mike Walker]

Of course the retailers are being compensated (in the form of advertising) for carrying the radios. When it came to things like satellite radio, there was more than just a swap of airtime for retail space...it was MONEY that changed hands. Which is cool as far as I'm concerned. You have space, I have a product, let's talk.

 

[Chuck]

Of course the retailers are being compensated (in the form of advertising) for carrying the radios. When it came to things like satellite radio, there was more than just a swap of airtime for retail space...it was MONEY that changed hands. Which is cool as far as I'm concerned. You have space, I have a product, let's talk.

That’s the way it is. Even supermarkets sell floor space to the highest bidder. Those aisle end caps usually go for a premium. The pay-off may be actual cash, a rebate or a "DFI" which stands for "Deduct From Invoice," or it may be advertising co-op money. The supplier may give the dealer additional goods shipped at no cost, or it may be individual sales persons incentives like cash "Spiff's", prizes, free merchandise, trips, and in some cases even sex and drugs.

Owning a pro-audio company with a sales department was a real eye-opening experience. Not everything is as straight-forward as it seems. I still have a collection of watches, radios, stereos, TV's power tools and lots of other swag like jackets and shirts from sales incentives. I took numerous free trips, ate gourmet foods that were shipped to my house and was given cold hard cash by several manufacturers to carry their products and sell them in quantities.

Although I've been out of that rat-race for several years, I'm sure that nothing has changed. The HD folks need to get with the program, or their merchandise will be relegated to the bottom shelf.