This has prompted me to go over to the Ibiquity site and read Bob Struble's latest column. His writings always bring a smile to my face and this latest one certainly didn't disappoint.
http://www.ibiquity.com/about_us/bobs_column_thoughts_on_radios_digital_future
He begins writing as if he feels radio's pain: "I think the issues that have both taken radio from a $20 to $14 billion business and decreased AM/FM tuner sales from 100 million to 60 million in a few short years are driven by more than just a cyclical downturn."
And I'm thinking, 'OK, if you're so concerned, how about a temporary break on Ibiquity's royalty fees.' But no such offer is made.
Instead he puts on his rose-colored specs and retreats into some happy talk stats on HD Radio's rollout: "2000 stations on air, more than 1000 HD2s and HD3s, 13 automakers with 70 vehicle lines offering the technology, new portable devices from Best Buy and Microsoft with more soon from RadioShack, and another doubling of HD Radio receiver sales in 2009".
Notice that the last bit about receiver sales fails to produce any hard numbers. A doubling of what to what?
He continues by outlining the revenue opportunities for HD Radio, including: "HD2 and HD3 spectrum lease deals are being struck. The best example here is WorldBand Media." Yeah, and that's about the only deal that was struck (with Bonneville and Emmis) and occurred way back in '08.
On iTunes tagging: "Music purchase is generating finder's fees for stations." Pocket change at best when you consider that the labels themselves only make a few cents per download (.33 operating profit split between Apple and the labels--pricingforprofit.com).
I could go on but my sides are aching.
c5
http://www.ibiquity.com/about_us/bobs_column_thoughts_on_radios_digital_future
He begins writing as if he feels radio's pain: "I think the issues that have both taken radio from a $20 to $14 billion business and decreased AM/FM tuner sales from 100 million to 60 million in a few short years are driven by more than just a cyclical downturn."
And I'm thinking, 'OK, if you're so concerned, how about a temporary break on Ibiquity's royalty fees.' But no such offer is made.
Instead he puts on his rose-colored specs and retreats into some happy talk stats on HD Radio's rollout: "2000 stations on air, more than 1000 HD2s and HD3s, 13 automakers with 70 vehicle lines offering the technology, new portable devices from Best Buy and Microsoft with more soon from RadioShack, and another doubling of HD Radio receiver sales in 2009".
Notice that the last bit about receiver sales fails to produce any hard numbers. A doubling of what to what?
He continues by outlining the revenue opportunities for HD Radio, including: "HD2 and HD3 spectrum lease deals are being struck. The best example here is WorldBand Media." Yeah, and that's about the only deal that was struck (with Bonneville and Emmis) and occurred way back in '08.
On iTunes tagging: "Music purchase is generating finder's fees for stations." Pocket change at best when you consider that the labels themselves only make a few cents per download (.33 operating profit split between Apple and the labels--pricingforprofit.com).
I could go on but my sides are aching.
c5