The iPod's Threat to HD Radio

[dbdigital]

Another insightful blog from Mark Ramsey:

http://www.hear2.com/2007/01/ipods_dont_matt.html

db

 

[700WLW]

Another insightful blog from Mark Ramsey:

http://www.hear2.com/2007/01/ipods_dont_matt.html

db

That's easy !

http://www.google.com/trends?q="hd+radio",+ipod,+mp3&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all

 

[durdy_souf]

Yeah, that's REAL easy! ;D

http://www.google.com/trends?q="radio",+ipod,+mp3&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all

Terrestrial radio is still alive and kickin'
What's my point? HD Radio wasn't introduced until 2002 and they changed the codec in 2003. Most stations didn't broadcast an HD signal until 2006! I asked a question similar to this one on another board so I'm hoping you can help me out:
Three years after HDTV was introduced, did you know what it was? DID you go out and buy an HD TV set? Keep in mind that HDTV was introduced in 1999.

 

[SUPERCASTER]

Yeah, that's REAL easy! ;D

http://www.google.com/trends?q="radio",+ipod,+mp3&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all

Terrestrial radio is still alive and kickin'
What's my point? HD Radio wasn't introduced until 2002 and they changed the codec in 2003. Most stations didn't broadcast an HD signal until 2006! I asked a question similar to this one on another board so I'm hoping you can help me out:
Three years after HDTV was introduced, did you know what it was? DID you go out and buy an HD TV set? Keep in mind that HDTV was introduced in 1999.

Your search for "radio" erroneously includes any type of radio. Internet, clock, table, satellite, 2 way, etc. not just terrestrial broadcast reception as you imply.
Just still more HD proponent deception.

The only connection to HD TV that HD radio has is that HD radio copied the "HD", to try to piggyback on HD TV's popularity.

 

[Mike Walker]

If terrestrial radio is "dead", or even threatened, how come I keep getting checks every month (from terrestrial stations I produce for). Hint: they ain't gettin' smaller! ;D

I began working in radio in 1974 at age 15. I'm now 48. That's 33 years in which I have never received a steady paycheck from any business other than a radio station (or radio stations). (The occasional exception being a voiceover for tv, slide show, web presentation, etc...short, usually one-off jobs). During that time my income has steadily increased...NEVER decreased. I have NEVER taken a job that paid less than the last one. Not a single time. And jobs have never been difficult to find.

My point? Terrestrial radio is THRIVING. It is satellite radio, and internet radio that has yet to make a red cent in profit. XM and Sirius are discussing merger for a simple reason...they've both failed to get out of red ink on their own! Ditto internet radio. While terrestrial radio purrs on, in the black and investing in the (digital) future.

Yeah, Ipods will "kill" radio. Just like tv, the movies, the cassette walkman, and the internet did. Did you know that the percentage of PROFITABLE radio stations is quite a bit HIGHER now than 20 years ago? 'Tis true!

 

[SUPERCASTER]

Mike Walker.
You keep attacking your own imaginary "straw men", and claiming they are on this board.
Who said

terrestrial radio is "dead"

?

You said:

Terrestrial radio is THRIVING.

But Arbitron said AQH 12+ listening has been in decline since 1998!

http://wargod.arbitron.com/scripts/ndb/ndbradio2.asp

The rest of your post is more arguing with yourself, as usual. It seems you are your own worst enemy.

 

[700WLW]

Yeah, that's REAL easy! ;D

http://www.google.com/trends?q="radio",+ipod,+mp3&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all

Terrestrial radio is still alive and kickin'
What's my point? HD Radio wasn't introduced until 2002 and they changed the codec in 2003. Most stations didn't broadcast an HD signal until 2006! I asked a question similar to this one on another board so I'm hoping you can help me out:
Three years after HDTV was introduced, did you know what it was? DID you go out and buy an HD TV set? Keep in mind that HDTV was introduced in 1999.

Nice try - we're talking about HD Radio, not radio, in general:

http://www.google.com/trends?q="hd+radio",+ipod,+mp3&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all

Terrestrial Radio is in trouble, because they have been losing listeners to other competing technologies, such as, iPods, MP3s, gaming-systems, cell phones/streaming, Satellite Radio, etc., and radio has skipped Generation Y:

"Why 2007 Will Be Another Bad Year For Radio"

"The radio industry just doesn't get it. You can't grow a business that doesn't have a strong, new generation listening. Generation Y has turned to the Internet, their iPods and mobile devices. YouTube, MySpace and social networks. It can't afford satellite radio and doesn't much like what it's hearing on terrestrial radio."

http://insidemusicmedia.blogspot.com/2006/12/why-2007-will-be-another-bad-year-for.html

 

[dbdigital]

If terrestrial radio is "dead", or even threatened, how come I keep getting checks every month (from terrestrial stations I produce for). Hint: they ain't gettin' smaller! ;D

I began working in radio in 1974 at age 15. I'm now 48. That's 33 years in which I have never received a steady paycheck from any business other than a radio station (or radio stations). (The occasional exception being a voiceover for tv, slide show, web presentation, etc...short, usually one-off jobs). During that time my income has steadily increased...NEVER decreased. I have NEVER taken a job that paid less than the last one. Not a single time. And jobs have never been difficult to find.

My point? Terrestrial radio is THRIVING. It is satellite radio, and internet radio that has yet to make a red cent in profit. XM and Sirius are discussing merger for a simple reason...they've both failed to get out of red ink on their own! Ditto internet radio. While terrestrial radio purrs on, in the black and investing in the (digital) future.

Yeah, Ipods will "kill" radio. Just like tv, the movies, the cassette walkman, and the internet did. Did you know that the percentage of PROFITABLE radio stations is quite a bit HIGHER now than 20 years ago? 'Tis true!

You need to get the right perspective on what Mark Ramsey is saying. He's basically telling terrestrial broadcasters that they need to develop a strategy for the future. HD Radio is a technology but it isn't a strategy. If anything, it's a digital means of doing business the old way. That won't do anymore.

Look at satellite radio. We know now that the FCC won't let XM and Sirius merge, but so what? The satcasters are already talking about streaming video and other services over their satellites. That's a strategy.

Just because you've made money in the past and are making money now in terrestrial radio doesn't mean you will in the future unless you study and (hopefully) stay ahead of listener trends and explore new avenues. Don't be smug and complacent. That's what Mark is telling broadcasters.

db

 

[durdy_souf]

You need to get the right perspective on what Mark Ramsey is saying. He's basically telling terrestrial broadcasters that they need to develop a strategy for the future. HD Radio is a technology but it isn't a strategy. If anything, it's a digital means of doing business the old way. That won't do anymore

I agree.

Terrestrial Radio is in trouble, because they have been losing listeners to other competing technologies, such as, iPods, MP3s, gaming-systems, cell phones/streaming, Satellite Radio, etc., and radio has skipped Generation Y:

Funny how you put satellite radio in there as if its really a threat. These technologies are the reason why so many people have opted to deactivate their satellite radio subscription. As long as terrestrial radio stays free, it will always be profitable to advertisers and people will continue to listen.

Your search for "radio" erroneously includes any type of radio. Internet, clock, table, satellite, 2 way, etc. not just terrestrial broadcast reception as you imply.

My point was to show how silly the first search was. What'd you expect me to do? Call Wal-Mart and ask them how many clock radios, & boom boxes they've sold in the past year in comparison to IPods & Mp3 players?

 

[Mike Walker]

I couldn't agree more than HD is a technology, rather than a strategy. I don't think anyone's success depends upon their adoption of HD any time soon. Radio "sinks or swims" based upon CONTENT. Always has, always will.

If the better programming is on AM, that's what I'll listen to. In fact, it's what I often DO listen to. Stations need to invest NOW in future talent, or we'll all (radio listeners) suffer tomorrow. But all other things being equal...if the programming we enjoy is available (for me that's largely public radio), then it's potentially better in HD. Sometimes the difference is subtle, sometimes it's profound.

It's impossible to divorce the issues of terrestrial radio and hd, just as it's impossible to divorce HDTV from terrestrial television (and cable). Terrestrial broadcasting is the SOURCE OF CONTENT for the new digital media.

But again, as much as I enjoy listening to, say classical music on WDAV in HD, radio is content driven. Once a sufficient level of quality has been reached so that a station isn't downright annoying to listen to (reasonably "bright, full", and distortion free), then the better content will win. I'll take CSI New York, or Criminal Minds in standard def with a snowy signal over, say, American Idol or ANY reality show in High Def ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!

WFAE Charlotte is a 24/7 NPR news/talk affiliate in HD. WFDD Winston Salem is a 24/7 NPR news/talk affiliate that's analog only. WFDD has better local news for my area, and local weather. I prefer WFDD. 'Nuff said (I look forward to their going HD later this year, or early next, and am contributing money to them toward that end. EVERYONE who loves public radio should write a check!)