Wisconsin Public Radio Turns Off Seven HD Radio Signals

[rbc]

Citing costs to operate the signals, Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) is shuttering seven of its 13 HD radio stations that carry WPR and NPR news, classical music, talk, entertainment and locally-produced programming.
[...]
http://www.insideradio.com/free/wisconsin-public-radio-turns-off-seven-hd-radio-signals/article_d0cd9248-08b4-11eb-9afd-c3e994313c91.html

 

[rbc]

It looks like HD radio was a duplication with both analog and streaming services, with the exception of classical music programming. I suppose the programming might be a factor. If they scale back radio programming in the future, having HD sub-channels outside of large urban areas might not make any sense.

 

[louis_p]

ECB estimates that fewer than 500 listeners will be affected.

...and their HD signals launched in 2007! With the costs of iBiquity royalties, overhead for maintaining equipment, and additional power required to transmit HD signals, this seems to be a move they can easily justify.

This seems to be a trend that’s accelerated recently. The only HD signals that have any chance of survival are those that feed translators.

 

[rbc]

I hope MPB in Mississippi doesn't follow suit. I just bought a Sangean HDT-20. It does pick up analog just fine however.

 

[bulwnkl]

You didn't pay the $1,000+ that Amazon wanted for part of one day, did you?
(-:

 

[rbc]

No. 170ish.

 

[bulwnkl]

Cool. Hope you like it! I would like to get one, too, if I can find a reasonable home stereo from the local garage sales and such.