WIBC and HD Delay

[radio lover]

While at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I tried to listen to qualifing on WIBC, and to my surprise there was a 30 second delay which was quite anoring. Thanks to IBOC,. I won't bother taking my radio to the race. For years I've always relied on my radio to provide additional information when something happend, now I'll see it on the big lcd's at the track before it's mentioned on the radio. VERY SAD!!

 

[BobOnTheJob]

Not sure why there's a 30 second delay, but that makes live sports worthless. IBOC has an 8 second delay & I wanna say WIBC has a 10 second delay on top of that. Whether it's 8, 18 or 30, radio's strength is in it's immediacy. This could cost WIBC the race if enough people find it to be an issue. If I were them, I'd turn off the IBOC and all delays during sports broadcasts.

 

[wgomforever]

Does the FCC see a difference between swearing in the studio and swearing at a live sporting event from the crowd? I don't think they do - which is why I'm always stunned when IU or Purdue basketball crowds start chanting Bull#%^$. Seems like WIBC is just trying to protect the license and avoid the fines.

But, yeah, that sucks.

 

[Steppenwolf]

I wonder if WXLW has ever tried to get coverage of the "500" on their station that's traditionally been on WIBC? They're the sports station, right?

 

[TalkRadioGeek]

I don't know if you would waste something like the 500 on XLW... The Logical choice would be CC, Q95 and WNDE... But WIBC's coverage of the 500 is the best. We all know how I feel about their talk programming and wasted news gathering resources, but I can say nothing bad about WIBC in May.

I HATE the IBOC... I think it makes WIBC sound bad and muddy... I guess it is supposed to make them sound better, but on a regular radio, they sound AM... WXNT's signal sounds better! Emmis are worried about AM dying, but they do whatever they can to make it sound worse... Please WIBC, get rid of that stupid thing during May. No one has made the case for the IBOC, what it does, and why it is important. Maybe I just missed it.

 

[B.B. Lean]

Does the FCC see a difference between swearing in the studio and swearing at a live sporting event from the crowd? I don't think they do

No, they don't. You can get fined either way.

 

[radio lover]

I was wrong, the delay is 15 sec. Yes WIBC's coverage at the track is the best and always has been, but it sure messes up things when your listening and watching at the track. Think they might consider shutting off IOBC during the race, or is this a stupid question?

 

[mouseman]

ESPN 950 could make the case that their primary city of license is Franklin, and as such, request clearance for the race from the IMS Network, as a non-metro station. Emmis would probably object regardless.

 

[BobOnTheJob]

ESPN 950 is licensed to Indianapolis.

 

[Steppenwolf]

ESPN 950 could make the case that their primary city of license is Franklin, and as such, request clearance for the race from the IMS Network, as a non-metro station. Emmis would probably object regardless.

Doesn't WXLW broadcast from an office on the circle downtown, next door to Emmis? If they're licensed to Indy and want to pass themselves off as a sports station, they should submit a bid or whatever to cover the 500. Otherwise, play Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds, or England Dan & John Ford Coley 24/7.

 

[raceguy001]

XLW did pursue all the races and the Indy Car series with Speedway managment. They were told that Emmis was going to renew their contract.

 

[radio lover]

You can expect the same delay on Colts broadcasts. Won't that drive you crazy if you one of many who takes a radio to the game??

 

[aquamaniac2]

We can debate turning IBOC off during sporting events all day long. My personal opinion would be stations that have invested in many cases 100K and up to install IBOC transmission equipment are not going to be inclined to turn the equipment off just to satisfy a select few. As far as turning off the traditional broadcast delay, there is no way in the current state of terrestrial broadcasting that any station is going to take the chance on profanity slipping through. It just isn't worth the risk, so even if you can successfully make the case to turn IBOC off during sporting events, it isn't worth risking a license by turning off the profanity delay during live sporting events. And one final note, while it may be delayed, I'm looking forward to hearing how the 500 sounds on IBC in HD, should be a treat.

 

[TalkRadioGeek]

I've got to disagree... I take a radio with me to the Colts game, and WFBQ never ran a delay. If there is a lag, I just won't listen. I don't think that we are being picky radio-types. I think most people will feel that way. Bob Lamey is the best, and I prefer him to TV announcers. I can deal with a 1 or 2 second delay.
As far as the race, we have a TV blackout, so there is less of an issue with that. You cant see the entire track if you are there, so you are clueless anyways.
An IBOC is expensive, true. But why bother if it makes the product less desirable?

 

[aquamaniac2]

I don't agree that IBOC is making the product less desirable. Sure, there are a few drawbacks, such as the increase in delay time, which in the case of live sports may make a few people HD detractors. In my opinion though, the positives outweigh the drawbacks, especially on the AM side, where the difference in sound quality between analog AM and HD AM is significant. I think its worth noting than in HD the race will sound better, and I'm suprised that WIBC isn't using that fact as a way to further push HD radios. When you look at how HDTV is marketed, the hook is also "you're favorite sporting events will look crystal clear with HDTV" or something to that effect. It seems like the same principle could be applied to HD Radio.

 

[David Edgar]

The Indianapolis 500 mile race will be broadcast on BOTH 97.1 HANK FM and 1070 WIBC as it has for the 3rd year in a row. On race day, both stations will be in real time (out of the HD delay) so feel free to bring along your radios to the track.

We will also turn off the delay when HANK FM and WIBC air the Colts games this fall.

Thank you for listening to HANK FM and WIBC! The ONLY place to hear the race.

David Edgar
Director of FM operations
Emmis

 

[BobOnTheJob]

You're a good man David!

Bob H

 

[radioho]

I think most people will feel that way. Bob Lamey is the best, and I prefer him to TV announcers.

Until something doesn't go in the Colts' favor, then he whines like my 12-year-old sister. Can't STAND that whiney "that's not faaiiiirrrrr" tone he has when things aren't going the Cotlts way, or if the Colts make mistakes. Worst soundbyte ever by Lamey was the Rhodes fumble that was picked up and scored as a TD by the Colts. PERFECT example of a HOMER and unprofessional call. Despite his many years of fine announcing, he shouldn't be so comfortable that his call suffers. Be a pro!

 

[radio lover]

Nice to hear that the HD will be shut down to hear the race in real time. Thanks for the info. David. WIBC has been a part of my raceday for many years. Would love to hear them do something different on race weekend. Play oldies!!

 

[Tom Wells]

Nice to hear that the HD will be shut down to hear the race in real time. Thanks for the info. David. WIBC has been a part of my raceday for many years. Would love to hear them do something different on race weekend. Play oldies!!

"Accidentally" bypass the brickwall low-pass audio filters and give us 15 khz audio for the race, please?

How about widely separated microphones for the "background" audio for AM vs. FM?
Then with the vocal mikes overlaid to both, the "two-radio" AM/FM trick could give everyone at picnics
a huge soundstage, with great vocals in center.

That's what I'd do.