"IBiquity Digital's Make-or-Break Point Approaches"

[IBOCRocks]

God, this is really getting old...

Then change your name again, and this time pay attention to folks like VSA. VSA can be against IBOC without acting like a child.

At any rate nobody is forcing you to make wild claims...

PLL: New name, same lies

 

[PLL]

If radio were still local, HD radio might work. The problem is that one company (Clear Channel) controls too many stations, and that company has claimed more than once that they are only in business to sell ads. They don’t care at all about local programming.
So all HD radio is going to do is give us 8 versions of the same crap on one frequency. Yeah, that’ll work.
Plus, it’s been established that most listeners don’t care that much about sound quality, because they’re buying iPods and encoding their music at 128 Kbps, so even if HD radio has better quality audio, it’s practically irrelevant.
The only thing that’s going to “save” radio is a fundamental shift toward local ownership of all stations. I’m not holding my breath…

 

[IBOCRocks]

If radio were still local, HD radio might work. The problem is that one company (Clear Channel) controls too many stations, and that company has claimed more than once that they are only in business to sell ads. They don’t care at all about local programming.
So all HD radio is going to do is give us 8 versions of the same crap on one frequency. Yeah, that’ll work.
Plus, it’s been established that most listeners don’t care that much about sound quality, because they’re buying iPods and encoding their music at 128 Kbps, so even if HD radio has better quality audio, it’s practically irrelevant.
The only thing that’s going to “save” radio is a fundamental shift toward local ownership of all stations. I’m not holding my breath…

There may be some truth to that. In that case, it deserves to die.

 

[PLL]

That was just a comment from a blog to fill space, and it ended up being relevant to the thread - imagine that !

 

[IBOCRocks]

That was just a comment from a blog to fill space, and it ended up being relevant to the thread - imagine that !

No kidding!

 

[PLL]

But, you must have thought that I typed it - I don't type that fast !

 

[IBOCRocks]

But, you must have thought that I typed it - I don't type that fast !

I did think it was you. I was pleasantly surprised!

 

[PLL]

Does this mean you are not angry with me anymore - perhaps, we could meet for lunch sometime ?

 

[IBOCRocks]

Does this mean you are not angry with me anymore - perhaps, we could meet for lunch sometime ?

I've never been angry with you. I don't even know you. I certainly don't like how you present your position, but that doesn't make you a bad guy.

Oddly enough, I think we would probably get along.

 

[PocketRadio]

From:

"IBiquity Digital's Make-or-Break Point Approaches"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58846-2005Feb27.html

"It has been seven years since the first significant venture money poured into iBiquity Digital Corp. and nearly 15 years since the company's founding. For private equity investors, that's an eternity to wait for a payoff."

"If we had this conversation seven years ago and you were to tell me that in 2004 this company would still be private and raising funds, I'd probably have keeled over," said Thomas Uhlman, a managing partner at iBiquity's largest shareholder, New Venture Partners LLC. "

"Chief executive Robert J. Struble is working to make iBiquity's digital radio technology the broadcast industry's standard. (Andrea Bruce Woodall -- The Washington Post)"

Take a look, at the big humba himself - what a fraud ! No wonder, two key players have just resigned from iBiquity !

"CLEARING A PATH FOR IBIQUITY"

"But even if iBiquity doesn't face competition for a nationwide digital system, it's in a race with itself for profitability. The company spent a total of about $20 million from 1991 to 1998, according to Struble. Now, he said, the 120-person company burns through $24 million a year. IBiquity's current cash reserve will last through 2004, according to the company, and it will likely try to raise more funding."

http://www.peak.org/mailing-list/archive/grc/msg02920.html

"iBiquity Closes $45 Million Equity Financing, Its Largest Ever ..." November 2005

http://www.nvpllc.com/news.shtml

Geez... Struble has a big mouth for someone with a Harvard MBA ! Intel's capital investment was made November 2005, so that $45 million will be gone by the end of 2007 - interesting, that the HD Radio Alliance's charter expires the end of 2007.

 

[Mike Walker]

More BS. Ibiquity isn't going anywhere. And even if they go into receivership, who cares? Whomever is the receiver will continue with licensing, etc. The HD radio system is the one and only legally accepted standard for the US. Period.

Zenith gave us the FM stereo system we use. Do you think it would die if Zenith disappeared? Worst case scenario...Ibiquity goes into receivership. The court decides what happens next. Some arrangement will be worked out for continuing the technical standards. Ibiquity isn't an equipment manufacturer, so those who are will certainly be capable of taking orders with or without Ibiquity. SO FREAKIN' WHAT?

 

[PocketRadio]

More BS. Ibiquity isn't going anywhere. And even if they go into receivership, who cares? Whomever is the receiver will continue with licensing, etc. The HD radio system is the one and only legally accepted standard for the US. Period.

Zenith gave us the FM stereo system we use. Do you think it would die if Zenith disappeared? Worst case scenario...Ibiquity goes into receivership. The court decides what happens next. Some arrangement will be worked out for continuing the technical standards. Ibiquity isn't an equipment manufacturer, so those who are will certainly be capable of taking orders with or without Ibiquity. SO FREAKIN' WHAT?

At this point, no one in their right-mind would pick up iBiquity and a stalled technology. AM Stereo and FMeXtra are still legal standards.

 

[Mike Walker]

A "stalled technology"...on 1500 stations, with many dozens of products, and more of each (stations and products) coming all the time. VS. FMExtra...what are there...a dozen stations? FMExtra isn't even a competitor. Being an SCA technology, stations can transmit BOTH FMExtra AND HD. FM stations can, anyway. AM Stereo stations are ripping their exciters out of racks at a pretty rapid rate. There are probably a quarter of the number there once were (in this country...in Japan and elsewhere, AM Stereo is quite popular)...half of what there were just a few years ago. It's a digital world. There will be NO analog-only media in the future. Nobody in their right mind could escapt the realization that the WORLD is converting to digital at a dizzying rate. And nobody's looking back.

 

[PocketRadio]

A "stalled technology"...on 1500 stations, with many dozens of products, and more of each (stations and products) coming all the time. VS. FMExtra...what are there...a dozen stations? FMExtra isn't even a competitor. Being an SCA technology, stations can transmit BOTH FMExtra AND HD. FM stations can, anyway. AM Stereo stations are ripping their exciters out of racks at a pretty rapid rate. There are probably a quarter of the number there once were (in this country...in Japan and elsewhere, AM Stereo is quite popular)...half of what there were just a few years ago. It's a digital world. There will be NO analog-only media in the future. Nobody in their right mind could escapt the realization that the WORLD is converting to digital at a dizzying rate. And nobody's looking back.

There are only 1343, mostly HD Radio Alliance stations:

http://www.ibiquity.com/hd_radio/hdradio_find_a_station

In the end, the only thing that matters is the total lack of consumer interest in HD Radio:

http://www.google.com/trends?q="hd+...odcast&ctab=0&geo=US&geor=all&date=all&sort=0

 

[PocketRadio]

From:

"IBiquity Digital's Make-or-Break Point Approaches"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58846-2005Feb27.html

"It has been seven years since the first significant venture money poured into iBiquity Digital Corp. and nearly 15 years since the company's founding. For private equity investors, that's an eternity to wait for a payoff."

"If we had this conversation seven years ago and you were to tell me that in 2004 this company would still be private and raising funds, I'd probably have keeled over," said Thomas Uhlman, a managing partner at iBiquity's largest shareholder, New Venture Partners LLC. "

"Chief executive Robert J. Struble is working to make iBiquity's digital radio technology the broadcast industry's standard. (Andrea Bruce Woodall -- The Washington Post)"

Take a look, at the big humba himself - what a fraud ! No wonder, two key players have just resigned from iBiquity !

"CLEARING A PATH FOR IBIQUITY"

"But even if iBiquity doesn't face competition for a nationwide digital system, it's in a race with itself for profitability. The company spent a total of about $20 million from 1991 to 1998, according to Struble. Now, he said, the 120-person company burns through $24 million a year. IBiquity's current cash reserve will last through 2004, according to the company, and it will likely try to raise more funding."

http://www.peak.org/mailing-list/archive/grc/msg02920.html

"iBiquity Closes $45 Million Equity Financing, Its Largest Ever ..." November 2005

http://www.nvpllc.com/news.shtml

Geez... Struble has a big mouth for someone with a Harvard MBA ! Intel's capital investment was made November 2005, so that $45 million will be gone by the end of 2007 - interesting, that the HD Radio Alliance's charter expires the end of 2007.

"Ibiquity in the Wake of Walden" 8/2003

"Sources close to the board said that in the most recent round of financing, in which Ibiquity raised roughly $100 million, broadcasters did not reinvest much money compared to the amount put up by the venture capitalists. There's some resentment there, one source said... Sources close to Ibiquity and its board of directors also said the company had to reduce its cash burn rate, pegged by one source at roughly $2.1 million a month. Ibiquity, they said, needed to stretch out its cash on hand, and planned to refinance soon."

http://www.radioworld.com/reference-room/iboc/01_rw_hd_layoffs_1.shtml

Yup, that puts iBiquity in trouble by the end of 2007 (100 million / 25 million per year), just when the HD Radio Alliance's charter expires - burn baby burn !

 

[clouseau]

From:

"IBiquity Digital's Make-or-Break Point Approaches"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58846-2005Feb27.html

"It has been seven years since the first significant venture money poured into iBiquity Digital Corp. and nearly 15 years since the company's founding. For private equity investors, that's an eternity to wait for a payoff."

"If we had this conversation seven years ago and you were to tell me that in 2004 this company would still be private and raising funds, I'd probably have keeled over," said Thomas Uhlman, a managing partner at iBiquity's largest shareholder, New Venture Partners LLC. "

"Chief executive Robert J. Struble is working to make iBiquity's digital radio technology the broadcast industry's standard. (Andrea Bruce Woodall -- The Washington Post)"

Take a look, at the big humba himself - what a fraud ! No wonder, two key players have just resigned from iBiquity !

"CLEARING A PATH FOR IBIQUITY"

"But even if iBiquity doesn't face competition for a nationwide digital system, it's in a race with itself for profitability. The company spent a total of about $20 million from 1991 to 1998, according to Struble. Now, he said, the 120-person company burns through $24 million a year. IBiquity's current cash reserve will last through 2004, according to the company, and it will likely try to raise more funding."

http://www.peak.org/mailing-list/archive/grc/msg02920.html

"iBiquity Closes $45 Million Equity Financing, Its Largest Ever ..." November 2005

http://www.nvpllc.com/news.shtml

Geez... Struble has a big mouth for someone with a Harvard MBA ! Intel's capital investment was made November 2005, so that $45 million will be gone by the end of 2007 - interesting, that the HD Radio Alliance's charter expires the end of 2007.

"Ibiquity in the Wake of Walden" 8/2003

"Sources close to the board said that in the most recent round of financing, in which Ibiquity raised roughly $100 million, broadcasters did not reinvest much money compared to the amount put up by the venture capitalists. There's some resentment there, one source said... Sources close to Ibiquity and its board of directors also said the company had to reduce its cash burn rate, pegged by one source at roughly $2.1 million a month. Ibiquity, they said, needed to stretch out its cash on hand, and planned to refinance soon."

http://www.radioworld.com/reference-room/iboc/01_rw_hd_layoffs_1.shtml

Yup, that puts iBiquity in trouble by the end of 2007 (100 million / 25 million per year), just when the HD Radio Alliance's charter expires - burn baby burn !

Again, this ill thought out "Problem".

Let's assume for the sake of arguement that Ibiquity goes flat broke tomorrow. ZERO cash. EVERYONE is fired. The building is closed. The phones are disconnected. They are "OUT OF BUSINESS".

Now what?

One of several things happen.

1) We never got here because the stockholders slash the "Burn Rate" of Ibiquity to virtually Zero. "How woud they do that" you might ask?" Well how about they fire everyone but a minimal office staff that collects royalties. Annual expenses <$100K. A mid level manager and an office worker in the end two offices of the Clear Channel Headquarters. Clear Channel Satellite or whatever absorbs the limited technical end and for about $200K a year, we got Licensing. No more R&D. No big loss actually. WE ALREADY INVENTED THE PRODUCT.

2) Ibiquity is bought out of Bankruptcy by an venture capital firm. A similar scenario to #1 ensues. Contracts are in place. While there technically COULD be an abandonment of the licensing contracts by the receiver, "WHY WOULD THERE BE?" If you owner Ibiquity would you jack with license fees?

3) NO ONE give a rat's Rear about Ibiquity AT ALL. The licensing is deemed totally worthless and there is almost NO MONEY to be had for it. Then someone like "ME" buys it. I give 'em $5k for a buyout and sell licensing thru my ebay store. $25 a year on your Mastercard. Anyone running it is still in.

4) It is completely abandonded by ownership and the title to the product is lost. Someone at Cracks.am hacks the system and the whole country has it for free.


Someone tell me where the down side to this can be ANYWHERE?

I just don't see it.

Clouseau

 

[davideduardo]

"Ibiquity in the Wake of Walden" 8/2003

"Sources close to the board said that in the most recent round of financing, in which Ibiquity raised roughly $100 million, broadcasters did not reinvest much money compared to the amount put up by the venture capitalists.

Yup, that puts iBiquity in trouble by the end of 2007 (100 million / 25 million per year), just when the HD Radio Alliance's charter expires - burn baby burn !

Your report is dated 4 years ago, when the only HD signals on the air were experimental, and iBiquity was spending loads of money on testing and development. Today, it is a marketing and licensing company with little spent on development.

Did you see Zenith spending a lot on FM stereo development in 1965? No, the system was established and working, although only on a few hundred stations.... 4 years after its introduction.

iBiquity is now receiving income from about 1600 licensed stations, as well as an increasing bunch of receiver manufacturers.

Oh, the HD alliance is just a bunch of station owners who are promoting HD. It has nothing to do administratively or financially with iBiquity. It just promotes HD for the benfit of a group of HD operators.

 

[clouseau]

"Ibiquity in the Wake of Walden" 8/2003

"Sources close to the board said that in the most recent round of financing, in which Ibiquity raised roughly $100 million, broadcasters did not reinvest much money compared to the amount put up by the venture capitalists.

Yup, that puts iBiquity in trouble by the end of 2007 (100 million / 25 million per year), just when the HD Radio Alliance's charter expires - burn baby burn !

Your report is dated 4 years ago, when the only HD signals on the air were experimental, and iBiquity was spending loads of money on testing and development. Today, it is a marketing and licensing company with little spent on development.

Did you see Zenith spending a lot on FM stereo development in 1965? No, the system was established and working, although only on a few hundred stations.... 4 years after its introduction.

iBiquity is now receiving income from about 1600 licensed stations, as well as an increasing bunch of receiver manufacturers.

Oh, the HD alliance is just a bunch of station owners who are promoting HD. It has nothing to do administratively or financially with iBiquity. It just promotes HD for the benfit of a group of HD operators.

Good Point.

4 years ago station licensing was in the "0's"

Now the "000's"

Clouseau

 

[Mike Walker]

I'm still stuck on "stalled technology". "But they're mostly alliance members", you answer. Oh, well that explains everything. As if "alliance" equalled "Mafia", or even "Al Qaeda"...rather than what it really means...people who have joined together to promote this new technology, mostly with FREE air time worth many millions. SOOOOO sinister.

Psssssst..."Alliance Members" own the largest, most listened-to, most successful stations IN THIS COUNTRY. They are actually the statons MOST able to put forward this technolgy, and as much as I despise the Clear Channels and CBSs of this world, we're in a better position BECAUSE the first 1500 stations are the big ones, not the small-market "Mom 'n Pop" operations with far fewer listeners. (1500 by summer's end...I've always made it clear what I mean by "1500"...that's how many are committed to conversion BY SUMMER'S END).

 

[radiopilot]

I'm still stuck on "stalled technology". "But they're mostly alliance members", you answer. Oh, well that explains everything. As if "alliance" equalled "Mafia", or even "Al Qaeda"...rather than what it really means...people who have joined together to promote this new technology, mostly with FREE air time worth many millions. SOOOOO sinister.

Psssssst..."Alliance Members" own the largest, most listened-to, most successful stations IN THIS COUNTRY. They are actually the statons MOST able to put forward this technolgy, and as much as I despise the Clear Channels and CBSs of this world, we're in a better position BECAUSE the first 1500 stations are the big ones, not the small-market "Mom 'n Pop" operations with far fewer listeners. (1500 by summer's end...I've always made it clear what I mean by "1500"...that's how many are committed to conversion BY SUMMER'S END).

Mike

Let's convert all 13,000 radio stations by the end of this year to HD, it still means NOTHING as people just don't care enough to give a reason to convert.

Maybe in ten to twenty years as most electronics fail and HD is manufactured into each and every radio and people have gotten used to HD, then maybe... you think the manufacturers are still going to hedge that it's a doable technology worth the investment? I remember Quad FM, AM Stereo both failures as far as mass appeal, sure manufacturers made equipment and lingered for years, but nothing prevailed and the same will go for HD radio.

Radiopilot