Can/Will HD2&HD3 programming save radio??

[taylorengineer]

So here's a question of great political import-
Can innovation on the new digital radio channels "re-invent" radio and attract the kids back? And WILL the big owners recognize the need to "re-invent" radio before it is too late?
Radio has been in a constant state of evolution since it's inception. It will continue to evolve-no doubt-but into what will it evolve and will it be relevant?
HD2 and HD3 is far off most programmer's radar(and the public too)so isn't this the same scenerio as the early days of FM and the innovation that brought?
Do you think HD Radio will become viable?
And how will it affect Q100?

 

[Insideradio]

So here's a question of great political import-
Can innovation on the new digital radio channels "re-invent" radio and attract the kids back? And WILL the big owners recognize the need to "re-invent" radio before it is too late?

No and No... If you're going out of your way to buy an after market receiver to get additional programming, are you going to buy a "HD" receiver or a "Satellite" receiver?
Let's see - HD will offer 6/10 local channels, Satellite offers 80+? Plus stations are asking their PD's to program HD channels. They'll never hire people to program HD specifically. Which means you'll get the core songs and not many updates. PD's just don't have the time or energy to program their stations PLUS HD.

Yes, HD programming is free for now but personally I would rather spend the extra 14 bucks a month for all the choices satellite offers.

 

[livingfruitvirus]

Not if it's being programmed by all the same terrestrial radio companies. Sadly, this isn't like when FM came along with their new innovations and beat up AM. The next step, HD, is being treated as a digital spinoff of FM.

 

[middlega]

Viable? As in fully separate entities carrying their own weight, fully staffed, etc.?
Not unless HD receivers become the standard for car installations & at retail, etc.

Heck, short of that benchmark, I'm not at all convinced that "significant" or even "relevant" is attainable, much less "viable".

 

[grmf]

HD with multi-casting will help. The HD signal can sound a lot better (It still depends on processing). There is no multi-path and it works under bridges. There will need to be different formats for sure. WKLS-HD2 is good but it's been the same songs since they turned it on so after a day or two you've heard it all 25 times.

It will only be viable when HD multi-cast radios are standard equipment on sub $20k cars. Then it will only take off 5 to 6 years later when those get into the used car market.

Those radios will only be made if there is programing. The stations have to be first! WSTR-HD2 was a good mix of a lot of different things mainly 80s. And they even had HD3 with 790 on it. Great idea! WSRV-HD2 is 750. WABE is also broadcasting HD2 & 3 A handful others are doing HD2 but nothing really creative.