Looking for any HD Radio sales figures.

[JasonW]

This raises an interesting question. If HD radio sales figures are that hard to come by, then how would anyone know with any degree of certainty the market penetration of HD receivers?

On the FM HD side, one could roughly infer the number of receivers from the HD2 and HD3 ratings (since these can only be received on HD radios), but for AM HD it would be much murkier. An up-tick in an AM station's ratings after going HD could be due to more people listening to the AM HD signal, but it could also be due to listeners preferring the program content (perhaps even in response to another station's programming changes).


-- Jason

 

[vsa]

DAVID WROTE: "There are no sales figures...Stop asking..."

Yes there are sales figures. Large corporations do no run blindly. They may not be readily available to the public, but there are sales figures.

Robert Struble, iBiquity Digital CEO, answered Bis Now On Business this way in late June 2006. (Q) How many people are currently listening to digital radio? (A) "The receiver sales are just beginning to take off. A good number is probably tens of thousands of radios have been sold at this point."

I'm hoping someone visiting here can offer more detailed information on HD Radio sales figures since January 2004. There is a 2.5 year history of HD Radio sales that is not being publicized.

DAVID WROTE: "HD is a very long term plan to revitalize radio...each time a person needs a radio, we hope they will opt for one with HD..."

So radio's leaders are "hoping" without "tracking"? Wrong. I'm hoping someone dropping by here will spill some beans and give us some kind of sales numbers. David, you always know everything. Sales figures seem to be the one area where you claim to know nothing.

ICOCROCKS WROTE: "You're trying to start arguments. Plain and simple."

I'm trying to uncover facts, plain and simple.

 

[davideduardo]

This raises an interesting question. If HD radio sales figures are that hard to come by, then how would anyone know with any degree of certainty the market penetration of HD receivers?

On the FM HD side, one could roughly infer the number of receivers from the HD2 and HD3 ratings (since these can only be received on HD radios), but for AM HD it would be much murkier. An up-tick in an AM station's ratings after going HD could be due to more people listening to the AM HD signal, but it could also be due to listeners preferring the program content (perhaps even in response to another station's programming changes).

HD is as much about perception as it is about reality. HD gives radio a degree of hipness due to the fact that it is digital. It allows us to talk about the digital sound of our stations,a s well as the additional digital channels. It does not, at least for the first few years or so, matter how many radios are sold. Advertising is sold by delivery, and it really does not matter how a signal is captured... what matters is that the listener believes that free terrestrial radio is keeping up with the times and offering attractive new enhancements. This is an investment in keeping radio current, not a way to get new listeners. We all know this in the industry. It is somewhat odd that those outside the industry with an interest in how it works don't understand that this is lesss about technology than about marketing and remaining viable, using a system that currently exists and which offers enormous benefits to the listener int he long run.

 

[IBOCRocks]

DAVID WROTE: "There are no sales figures...Stop asking..."

Yes there are sales figures. Large corporations do no run blindly. They may not be readily available to the public, but there are sales figures.

Robert Struble, iBiquity Digital CEO, answered Bis Now On Business this way in late June 2006. (Q) How many people are currently listening to digital radio? (A) "The receiver sales are just beginning to take off. A good number is probably tens of thousands of radios have been sold at this point."

I'm hoping someone visiting here can offer more detailed information on HD Radio sales figures since January 2004. There is a 2.5 year history of HD Radio sales that is not being publicized.

DAVID WROTE: "HD is a very long term plan to revitalize radio...each time a person needs a radio, we hope they will opt for one with HD..."

So radio's leaders are "hoping" without "tracking"? Wrong. I'm hoping someone dropping by here will spill some beans and give us some kind of sales numbers. David, you always know everything. Sales figures seem to be the one area where you claim to know nothing.

ICOCROCKS WROTE: "You're trying to start arguments. Plain and simple."

I'm trying to uncover facts, plain and simple.

If you are, then answer this. Or should I say "We demand answers..."

If you are who you present yourself to be, why are you asking your questions here? This is not the group of people that can do anything, even if the impossible happens and you convert us all. Why haven't you asked the group of people you say you're challenging?

 

[vsa]

DAVID WROTE: "HD is as much about perception as it is about reality. HD gives radio a degree of hipness due to the fact that it is digital. It allows us to talk about the digital sound of our stations,a s well as the additional digital channels. It does not, at least for the first few years or so, matter how many radios are sold."

I've got news for you. Being "digital" does not in and of itself make something hip. Cell phones are cool in spite of the fact that they switched from analog to digital delivery. Digital cell phones sound like crap and everyone knows it. Hip new devices and methods may happen to be digital, but the digital delivery method is not what makes them hip. It's content, choice and a sense of control that does.

IBOCKROCKS WROTE: "If you are, then answer this. Or should I say "We demand answers...If you are who you present yourself to be, why are you asking your questions here? This is not the group of people that can do anything, even if the impossible happens and you convert us all. Why haven't you asked the group of people you say you're challenging?"

I'm not trying to convert anybody. You are trying to shift the focus of this thread. We're looking for HD Radio sales figures here to share publicly. I'm welcoming information from all comers.

 

[IBOCRocks]

DAVID WROTE: "HD is as much about perception as it is about reality. HD gives radio a degree of hipness due to the fact that it is digital. It allows us to talk about the digital sound of our stations,a s well as the additional digital channels. It does not, at least for the first few years or so, matter how many radios are sold."

I've got news for you. Being "digital" does not in and of itself make something hip. Cell phones are cool in spite of the fact that they switched from analog to digital delivery. Digital cell phones sound like crap and everyone knows it. Hip new devices and methods may happen to be digital, but the digital delivery method is not what makes them hip. It's content, choice and a sense of control that does.

IBOCKROCKS WROTE: "If you are, then answer this. Or should I say "We demand answers...If you are who you present yourself to be, why are you asking your questions here? This is not the group of people that can do anything, even if the impossible happens and you convert us all. Why haven't you asked the group of people you say you're challenging?"

I'm not trying to convert anybody. You are trying to shift the focus of this thread. We're looking for HD Radio sales figures here to share publicly. I'm welcoming information from all comers.

I'm not trying to shift the focus of the thread. You've pretty much been told the answers to your question: Exact figures are not available, not because there is something to hide, but because numbers for items like that are generally never available, save educated guesses.

I think it's very on topic to want to know the reasoning behind your allegations. Especially since you present yourself to be a high-level person "demanding" answers, I think I'm asking a fair question.

You got your answer, now give me mine.

 

[SayNoToIBOC]

IBOCRocks wrote: "Since the numbers aren't secret, why don't you go, find out, and report back to us. All you're trying to do is stir up an argument. There aren't many radios sold yet. You know it, I know it, and everyone else here knows it. The only one "demanding" anything is you. I don't see any writings anywhere (other than you ) demanding any information on sales figures. As for a diversion of critical resources (which you haven't proven), you really have no valid position to make that assertion, unless you own a part of every broadcast company that is running IBOC. Barring that, you're just using, as usual, inflammitory language to spur a fight. So what is your point, other than to start a flame-war?"


The nut-case is back - that's me ! Hey, IBOCRocks, it is now 7 of 12, and counting ! I suppose it may escalate exponentially, as HD Radio takes hold (big joke). Its is funny, I haven't heard any more commercials this week for HD Radio, hmmmmm. I see, that you are still very defensive and angry ! Did you contact Radio Shack, Boston Acoustics, or any of the other sites, to have my reviews revolked ? I think, my review on Amazon is pretty outstanding ! This whole HD Radio Cartel is going down the toilet - I bet only a few thousand radios have been sold - who is going to spend $300 on an AM/FM radio - that's crazy ! And, remember that article that stated Clear Channel is exploring charging for the HD channels - like everything else, it is bound to happen ! Just think, paying for garbage AM/FM radio - gotta love it !

 

[davideduardo]

I've got news for you. Being "digital" does not in and of itself make something hip. Cell phones are cool in spite of the fact that they switched from analog to digital delivery. Digital cell phones sound like crap and everyone knows it. Hip new devices and methods may happen to be digital, but the digital delivery method is not what makes them hip. It's content, choice and a sense of control that does.

How many listeners have you asked about where they hear music, how they use computers for music, where music sounds better and similar issues?

I suspect you have no clue about the perceptions of radio and the images revolving around various delivery systems in the minds of arcual listeners.

A telephone is not perceived as a music player, at least today. One of the problems with the Motorola / Intel alliance is that the perception today is that a telephone is a crummy music delivery system... thus the failure of Motorola's reccent Ipod in a Phone product.

Radio stations are known as music delivery systems, but phones are not.

Digital is cooler than analog. Analog is old, and digital is new.

You can have good content. But if the delivery system is inadequate, the content has no attraction. This is why AM is slowly dying.

 

[SayNoToIBOC]

Yea, and the HD Radio Cartel is doing nothing about garbage content, and lying about this wonderful CD quality - what garbage !

 

[vsa]

DAVID WROTE: "I suspect you have no clue about the perceptions of radio and the images revolving around various delivery systems in the minds of arcual listeners."

You have no idea who I am and I'm not here to talk about myself.

I'm still waiting for some sales figures on HD Radio. The first Kenwood HD Radio was sold in January 2004. There is a 2.5 year history of HD Radio sales somewhere and I'm hoping someone will share some figures with everyone here.

I'm amazed how a simple request for some facts - sales figures - has resulted in a torrent of emotionally-charged diversionary messages.

 

[SayNoToIBOC]

"I'm amazed how a simple request for some facts - sales figures - has resulted in a torrent of emotionally-charged diversionary messages"

That's because they know this is bogus "technology", that no one is interested in, and there are no HD Radio radios, and if there were, no on is interested in spending $200 - $300 for an AM/FM radio. So, thet turn to anger and hostilty, kind of when an animal is cornered - simple as that !

 

[davideduardo]

DAVID WROTE: "I suspect you have no clue about the perceptions of radio and the images revolving around various delivery systems in the minds of arcual listeners."

You have no idea who I am and I'm not here to talk about myself.

I'm still waiting for some sales figures on HD Radio. The first Kenwood HD Radio was sold in January 2004. There is a 2.5 year history of HD Radio sales somewhere and I'm hoping someone will share some figures with everyone here.

I'm amazed how a simple request for some facts - sales figures - has resulted in a torrent of emotionally-charged diversionary messages.

1. The first receivers were intended to be niche marketed, mostly to "insiders."
2. The consumer launch occured 15 days ago.
3. Radio has no acces to sales fighres for the receivers.

 

[SayNoToIBOC]

Oh my God - that is SO exciting !

 

[IBOCRocks]

DAVID WROTE: "I suspect you have no clue about the perceptions of radio and the images revolving around various delivery systems in the minds of arcual listeners."

You have no idea who I am and I'm not here to talk about myself.

I'm still waiting for some sales figures on HD Radio. The first Kenwood HD Radio was sold in January 2004. There is a 2.5 year history of HD Radio sales somewhere and I'm hoping someone will share some figures with everyone here.

I'm amazed how a simple request for some facts - sales figures - has resulted in a torrent of emotionally-charged diversionary messages.

Emotionally charged?

Do all of you anti-IBOC folks have the same debate coach? Whenever the hard questions are asked of you, you divert the question and accuse the person asking of being "emotionally-charged". Yet, you use emotionally charged phrases and make accusations, even after having your question answered.

By the way, you still haven't answered me. You seem to be diverting my question by bringing up my "emotionally charged" state of mind.

I've made a simple request of you. I've gotten nothing. So I guess you are trying to start an argument, eh? If not, you'd essentially ignore the replies until you got your answer.

You guys are all the same...

 

[vsa]

DAVID WROTE: "1. The first receivers were intended to be niche marketed, mostly to "insiders." 2. The consumer launch occured 15 days ago. 3. Radio has no acces to sales fighres for the receivers."

So all of those public radio stations who had backorders late last year for BA HD radios weren't really using them as supporter premiums, as had been widely reported? So all of those newspaper, website and magazine articles reviewing HD Radio and telling us where we could buy radios were only targeting radio insiders? So all of those slogans and liners and "Are You Deaf Yet" spots early this year were really just targeting radio insiders?

IBOCROCKS WROTE: "You seem to be diverting my question by bringing up my "emotionally charged" state of mind."

No. I'm only interested in some facts. I'm sure you are a very nice and intelligent person.

I'm still waiting for some sales figures on HD Radio. The first Kenwood HD Radio was sold in January 2004. There is a 2.5 year history of HD Radio sales somewhere and I'm hoping someone will share some figures with everyone here.

 

[IBOCRocks]

DAVID WROTE: "1. The first receivers were intended to be niche marketed, mostly to "insiders." 2. The consumer launch occured 15 days ago. 3. Radio has no acces to sales fighres for the receivers."

So all of those public radio stations who had backorders late last year for BA HD radios weren't really using them as supporter premiums, as had been widely reported? So all of those newspaper, website and magazine articles reviewing HD Radio and telling us where we could buy radios were only targeting radio insiders? So all of those slogans and liners and "Are You Deaf Yet" spots early this year were really just targeting radio insiders?

IBOCROCKS WROTE: "You seem to be diverting my question by bringing up my "emotionally charged" state of mind."

No. I'm only interested in some facts. I'm sure you are a very nice and intelligent person.

I'm still waiting for some sales figures on HD Radio. The first Kenwood HD Radio was sold in January 2004. There is a 2.5 year history of HD Radio sales somewhere and I'm hoping someone will share some figures with everyone here.

The question remains - if you're interested in facts, what are you doing here? It's been made abundantly clear that there is no concrete answer. Why don't you contact the manufacturers directly and ask? Unless you go directly to them, all you're doing is stirring the pot. I'm positive you have an idea what the answer is going to be and you're just waiting for the ammo.

Make your point. Assume there are 10,000 radios. What are you now going to do with that information?

 

[SayNoToIBOC]

IBOCRocks wrote: "Make your point. Assume there are 10,000 radios. What are you now going to do with that information?"

Well, for one, I am going to have a good laugh ! IBOCRocks, actually it would be 10,000 - 7 !

 

[SUPERCASTER]

Assume there are 10,000 radios.

A more importent question might be, how many HD Radios were RETURNED by dissatisfied customers?
Many, I suspect.
Perhaps that is why, in spite of massive promotion and strong commitment to market HD Radios, none are carried in the NPR web shop, and they are heavily promoting the AE WIFI internet radio as an alternative for listening to the new HD Radio streams.
Regarding digital and HD Radio, HD1, 2, 3 etc., you can hear hundreds of them over the internet perfectly clearly. So who needs an expensive HD Radio reciever that can, at best, only pick up a few, and needs wireing and positioning additional antennas?

http://shop.npr.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TopCategoriesDisplay?storeId=10051&catalogId=10051

 

[SayNoToIBOC]

I suspect you are absolutey correct - I bet many Receptor HD radios have been returned.

"Regarding digital and HD Radio, HD1, 2, 3 etc., you can hear hundreds of them over the internet perfectly clearly. So who needs an expensive HD Radio reciever that can, at best, only pick up a few, and needs wireing and positioning additional antennas?"

Absolutely !

 

[HD_Ready]

Lets start our own count...


I have 3 HD radios!