From our very own "Hot Topics" page...

[dumber than a box of hair]

Interest in HD Radio is down among programmers:

http://www.radio-info.com/content/column.php?rcID=34

 

[audiophile.]

All I can say is good bye!

 

[Mike Walker]

My guess would be the difference is largely that these programmers now have had their fill of having to program two or three "streams"...twice as much work, for no more money. Like when I programmed a successful FM station, and was suddenly told I had to program the AM talk station too...for no more bread. I felt so guilty giving short shrift to the AM that I actually lost sleep about it, but the FM MADE MONEY, the AM which had just switched formats from gospel didn't. I knew it had potential. I also knew that potential wasn't going to be developed until someone was hired whose PRIMARY job was to develop it.

If I programmed an FM station, and was suddenly saddled with "extra formats" for the HD2, HD3 channels, my priority would be the station with an actual audience. DUH! The problem (as usual) is management, NOT the programmers.

 

[700WLW]

My guess would be the difference is largely that these programmers now have had their fill of having to program two or three "streams"...twice as much work, for no more money. Like when I programmed a successful FM station, and was suddenly told I had to program the AM talk station too...for no more bread. I felt so guilty giving short shrift to the AM that I actually lost sleep about it, but the FM MADE MONEY, the AM which had just switched formats from gospel didn't. I knew it had potential. I also knew that potential wasn't going to be developed until someone was hired whose PRIMARY job was to develop it.

If I programmed an FM station, and was suddenly saddled with "extra formats" for the HD2, HD3 channels, my priority would be the station with an actual audience. DUH! The problem (as usual) is management, NOT the programmers.

My guess would be, that this is just more proof, not just from lack of interest by consumers, but by professionals in the broadcast industry, that HD Radio is very unlikely to take-off, and here's two years of flat-lined interest, as proof:

http://www.google.com/trends?q="hd+radio",+"internet+radio",+xm,+sirius,+podcast

 

[EasyPeazy]

My guess would be the difference is largely that these programmers now have had their fill of having to program two or three "streams"...twice as much work, for no more money. Like when I programmed a successful FM station, and was suddenly told I had to program the AM talk station too...for no more bread. I felt so guilty giving short shrift to the AM that I actually lost sleep about it, but the FM MADE MONEY, the AM which had just switched formats from gospel didn't. I knew it had potential. I also knew that potential wasn't going to be developed until someone was hired whose PRIMARY job was to develop it.

If I programmed an FM station, and was suddenly saddled with "extra formats" for the HD2, HD3 channels, my priority would be the station with an actual audience. DUH! The problem (as usual) is management, NOT the programmers.

DING DING DING! We have a winner!

 

[700WLW]

My guess would be the difference is largely that these programmers now have had their fill of having to program two or three "streams"...twice as much work, for no more money.

So, why all the hype about the HD channels - see, they are just as lousy, as the main analog channels, except for WLW AM and WABC's AM Saturday Night Oldies.

 

[EasyPeazy]

My guess would be the difference is largely that these programmers now have had their fill of having to program two or three "streams"...twice as much work, for no more money.

So, why all the hype about the HD channels - see, they are just as lousy, as the main analog channels, except for WLW AM and WABC's AM Saturday Night Oldies.

Trying to have a productive conversation with you is very difficult sometimes. You just don't seem to get anything.

Let me see if I can break it down for you.

You're a computer programmer. Suppose you're working on one program. Your boss comes to you and says you will now be responsible for developing a second program. You'll be putting in more hours but your pay will not increase at all.

How excited would you be about that? It might cut into your anti-HD time.

For these PDs it cuts into their time with their wives, girlfriends, kids, etc.

 

[700WLW]

My guess would be the difference is largely that these programmers now have had their fill of having to program two or three "streams"...twice as much work, for no more money.

So, why all the hype about the HD channels - see, they are just as lousy, as the main analog channels, except for WLW AM and WABC's AM Saturday Night Oldies.

Trying to have a productive conversation with you is very difficult sometimes. You just don't seem to get anything.

Let me see if I can break it down for you.

You're a computer programmer. Suppose you're working on one program. Your boss comes to you and says you will now be responsible for developing a second program. You'll be putting in more hours but your pay will not increase at all.

How excited would you be about that? It might cut into your anti-HD time.

For these PDs it cuts into their time with their wives, girlfriends, kids, etc.

I'm just very efficient, at everything I do !

 

[dbdigital]

My guess would be the difference is largely that these programmers now have had their fill of having to program two or three "streams"...twice as much work, for no more money. Like when I programmed a successful FM station, and was suddenly told I had to program the AM talk station too...for no more bread. I felt so guilty giving short shrift to the AM that I actually lost sleep about it, but the FM MADE MONEY, the AM which had just switched formats from gospel didn't. I knew it had potential. I also knew that potential wasn't going to be developed until someone was hired whose PRIMARY job was to develop it.

If I programmed an FM station, and was suddenly saddled with "extra formats" for the HD2, HD3 channels, my priority would be the station with an actual audience. DUH! The problem (as usual) is management, NOT the programmers.

The only earthly good that can come from HD-Radio is if the 2nd or 3rd streams could be used for some type of community radio service particularly where an LPFM would not be possible. Another solution would be a time brokerage agreement with some innovative programmer(s).

In either case, the host radio station would at least be seeing some financial return for their investment (or a tax write off) instead letting their extra streams remain waste, as is occurring now.

db

 

[Mike Walker]

Well dbdigital, that would be A good use for HD2 and HD3 channels (community radio), but certainly isn't the 'only' good use. Geez, everybody thinks THEIR perceived defecit is "the only good use".

In rural areas in particular, MANY popular formats are completely missing in action (anybody heard a real oldies station lately, even in big cities?) If programmed PROPERLY, by someone whose job it is to produce something original and appealing, then there is tremendous potential. Even if they just "pipe in" a format from satellite, that's fine IF it's something not already available in the marketplace. There are as many different uses for HD2 and HD3 streams as there are markets. Some stations SHOULD forget extra streams, and be content to transmit a much higher fidelity version of their main signal. Classical stations, and those broadcasting other "fine arts formats" should be among them.

 

[700WLW]

In rural areas in particular, MANY popular formats are completely missing in action (anybody heard a real oldies station lately..

Outside of D.C., we have atleast three classic-rock/oldies stations, and I listen to WABC's Saturday Night Oldies - no need for extra HD channels, whose programming is not going to be a prioity, and will just be more redundant programming. This is part of the HD Radio farce, besides supposed improved audio quality - the dial is already jammed with more than enough radio statios, and the HD channels are just over-kill, if they can even be received, with HD Radio's poor coverage.

 

[700WLW]

My guess would be the difference is largely that these programmers now have had their fill of having to program two or three "streams"...twice as much work, for no more money.

So, why all the hype about the HD channels - see, they are just as lousy, as the main analog channels, except for WLW AM and WABC's AM Saturday Night Oldies.

Trying to have a productive conversation with you is very difficult sometimes. You just don't seem to get anything.

Let me see if I can break it down for you.

You're a computer programmer. Suppose you're working on one program. Your boss comes to you and says you will now be responsible for developing a second program. You'll be putting in more hours but your pay will not increase at all.

How excited would you be about that? It might cut into your anti-HD time.

For these PDs it cuts into their time with their wives, girlfriends, kids, etc.

Just to let you know, since you and two others, on this board, have chosen to to keep track of my time here, along with personal attacks to that affect (since you have no good counter-arguments), we are snowed-in, and I will probably be here on-and-off, all day. After 8 months, do you really think these type of childish antics, are going to get rid of me ?

 

[calstymes]

EasyPeazy, it's not worth it. Don't bother trying to figure him out. You can't.

All of what is discussed here (when we aren't being inundated with mindless pointers to blogs and other opinion pieces) is completely beyond this individual's comprehension.

 

[700WLW]

EasyPeazy, it's not worth it. Don't bother trying to figure him out. You can't.

All of what is discussed here (when we aren't being inundated with mindless pointers to blogs and other opinion pieces) is completely beyond this individual's comprehension.

My mistake - make that THREE other posters !

 

[Mike Walker]

SO there is no problem of missing formats because 700 "listens to WABC's Saturday Night Oldies". Correct me if I'm wrong...but that comes on (I'm guessing) Saturday night, right? What if I want oldies on Monday morning? Or Thursday afternoon? A show does not a format make!

I like to read mystern novels. A short story is a nice quick read, but not exactly a replacement (for a good, BOOK LENGTH mystery).

 

[700WLW]

SO there is no problem of missing formats because 700 "listens to WABC's Saturday Night Oldies". Correct me if I'm wrong...but that comes on (I'm guessing) Saturday night, right? What if I want oldies on Monday morning? Or Thursday afternoon? A show does not a format make!

I like to read mystern novels. A short story is a nice quick read, but not exactly a replacement (for a good, BOOK LENGTH mystery).

Interesting, that you failed to mention the other 3 oldies stations, that broadcast music 24/7 ! I listen to WABC, because I listened to them, back in the 60s/70s, and it is great hearing old clips from the past quality DJs, unlike today's annoying DJs.

 

[dbdigital]

Well dbdigital, that would be A good use for HD2 and HD3 channels (community radio), but certainly isn't the 'only' good use. Geez, everybody thinks THEIR perceived defecit is "the only good use".

In rural areas in particular, MANY popular formats are completely missing in action (anybody heard a real oldies station lately, even in big cities?) If programmed PROPERLY, by someone whose job it is to produce something original and appealing, then there is tremendous potential. Even if they just "pipe in" a format from satellite, that's fine IF it's something not already available in the marketplace. There are as many different uses for HD2 and HD3 streams as there are markets. Some stations SHOULD forget extra streams, and be content to transmit a much higher fidelity version of their main signal. Classical stations, and those broadcasting other "fine arts formats" should be among them.

I said the only 'earthly good', not the only use for HD-Radio. Of course, less heard music formats could be programmed and are being programmed on the extra streams. But, so far, I've heard no discussion about using HD2 and 3 for community radio. While it doesn't surprise me that the media conglomerates and the NAB wouldn't mention it, it does that the grassroots media organizations don't push for it.

As 700 observed, in most areas there are plenty of radio stations to choose from. The problem is that half sound about the same. It shouldn't take HD-Radio to address this lack of diversity in formats, just good programming.

db

 

[Mike Walker]

Good point DB. What interest there is in "alternative media" (HD2/HD3/Satellite/Internet Radio/etc) is largely BECAUSE of the lack of imagination and creativity on the part of terrestrial radio programmers. NO OLDIES STATION, IN A MARKET WITH 30 SIGNALS? No kidding! How f'ing DUMB would someone have to be in order to not realize that is a PROBLEM!

Back to your point (now that I understand), community radio would be a GREAT use for, say, an HD3 stream here and there. Carry the local ballgames...even on "big city" stations. Carry the city council and school board meetings. Have "public access" times, when people can talk about whatever they want. There are many uses!

 

[700WLW]

Carry the local ballgames...even on "big city" stations. Carry the city council and school board meetings. Have "public access" times, when people can talk about whatever they want. There are many uses!

Boy, that will get consumers' juices flowing ! After, listening to the local ball game on their HD Radios, they can head over to the local state fair, to promote HD Radio !

 

[Mike Walker]

So 700...you're against community oriented radio, you're against greater format variety, you're against digital technology because it costs more than ten dollars. Man, you're both a genius AND a great citizen, huh?

And "outside of DC" isn't what I mean by Rural. Try 60 to 100 miles from ANYTHING RESEMBLING A MAJOR METRO! Or hell, west of the Mississippi, HUNDREDS of miles. THAT, my friend, is RURAL! It's in places like that where format variety is most lacking. HD SOLVES THIS PROBLEM!

Hell, if the terrain is flat, HD can go more than 100 miles EASILY...reaching out with noise-free variety to REAL rural areas.