More HD2's in Phoenix

[EricStein]

Clear Channel and Emmis have publicly announced what formats they plan on adding to their Phoenix FM's, and from what I've noticed, nothing different enough to entice people to buy HD radios:Clear Channel HD2's:95.5 - AAA96.9 - Variety (?)99.9 - Love Songs102.5 - New Country104.7 - Spanish-language OldiesEmmis HD2:92.3 - Hispanic Urban "Power Dos"At least Clear Channel is on to something with the AAA format. Where's Urban AC and Soft AC on the list? The rest of the formats sound like ones already being done (in one way or another) by analog stations.CBS has yet to make their Phoenix HD2's public.http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=206982http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20060425005271&newsLang=en

 

[ajhenderson]

It would seem to make sense that the subchannels had some interest to the analog listeners. I guess they could do bluegrass on 107.9 for some "exciting formats", but I won't hang around waiting for that. Although I do look forward to hearing Buddhist chants on KJZZ.

 

[EricStein]

It would seem to make sense that the subchannels had some interest to the analog listeners. I guess they could do bluegrass on 107.9 for some "exciting formats", but I won't hang around waiting for that. Although I do look forward to hearing Buddhist chants on KJZZ.

That's when and if KJZZ finally goes HD. I think they may still be using some subcarrier bandwidth for Sun Sounds, and HD, if implemented, may end up interrupting that service.As for the complimenting formats vs. doing things completely different - I think the HD Alliance should look at each market, see what formats that aren't financially feasible for analog but still have some type of demand in the market (AAA fits this description; Urban AC was ignored, but would also fit this category in Phoenix), and put those on the air, THEN focus on the "micro-niche" formats. This is what would be the catalyst to sell HD units. Hispanic Urban and Spanish-language Oldies are already on analog stations in Phoenix, within reach of a conventional tuner. I don't want to sound like a suck-up, but I do have to give props to Steve Douglas for his hard work on creating The Peak's HD2. They're playing lost 80's hits that even satellite ignores.

 

[fiazco]

IBOC has little to no impact on analog subcarriers. They are compatible.What I'd like to see, and doesnt look like it will happen, is to get some of the AM programming moved over onto the HD2 streams. I'm thinking in particular about Air America. Though I'm agnostic on the format itself, I think that being stuck on a crappy AM signal (particularly at night) is a travesty. Come to think of it, the fact that the AM band is not in the hands of the ham radio crowd is a travesty.I think it would be trilaterally beneficial for partnerships to be made between AM programmers and FM operators. Perhaps an LMA, or even a free simulcast to start. FM'ers benefit because it would be cost neutral, or even a moneymaker in the LMA scenario.AM'ers benefit by having their programming on a signal listeners can actually hear.Listeners benefit by 24hr access to programming. They pay the bill, though...Heck, everyone would benefit by actually creating a demand for HD radios.HD alliance formats are set, so unless stations can get their assignement changed, those few early adopters will be stuck listening to juke box formats. Way to go, broadcasting industry...

 

[EricStein]

I was thinking the same thing about a KMVP simulcast on the "HD3" of The Peak. Since there some times in which they have to bump the Diamondbacks to 860's awful nighttime signal if the Suns make the playoffs (tonight would be a great example) and vice versa at the beginning of the baseball season, this would make sense and become a good reason to buy an HD radio. The drawback would be decreased sound quality for the HD1 and HD2.

 

[AZJoe]

It would seem to make sense that the subchannels had some interest to the analog listeners. I guess they could do bluegrass on 107.9 for some "exciting formats", but I won't hang around waiting for that. Although I do look forward to hearing Buddhist chants on KJZZ.

AI don't want to sound like a suck-up, but I do have to give props to Steve Douglas for his hard work on creating The Peak's HD2. They're playing lost 80's hits that even satellite ignores.

What 80s titles have you heard that XM and Sirius don't play? I am always interested in a deeper/wider playlist.

 

[EricStein]

What 80s titles have you heard that XM and Sirius don't play? I am always interested in a deeper/wider playlist.

I've heard minor hits such as "Hypnotize Me" by Wang Chung (1987) and "Taken In" by Mike & The Mechanics (1986), the latter I never heard on either satellite service. They also play a handful of new wave songs that weren't really big.

 

[RadioStarOne]

Phoenix HD-2 Radio Success =

How about a return of free form radio with live humans programming the music their way! Heck you could even call it "underground radio for the 21st century." What do ya think?