Does the NAB play a roll in working with manufacturers to develop broadcast technology for the end user? If so, what more is the NAB doing to encourage the manufacturers to create a more cost effective way of getting HD radio to the listener? There's a serious problem there....for me to get HD on my car unit, I have to drop down almost $300 for an add-on. So, really in order to get HD, the average joe needs to pay the price of an HD unit PLUS the cost of a new reciever OR they're paying a slightly lower price for a receiver that is HD/AM/FM. I haven't looked into home units or add-on boxes for home units so i can't attest to that. But, to me, that's a problem right there. HD has great potential: the selective programming comparable to what satellite offers, with zero commercials if the the station chooses and the ability to broadcast text ads to the unit. ACE!!!! But again, cost for the end user.
I got sirius two years ago and much like salesweasel, I usually find myself halting my sirius listening so I can hear one or two local shows..(retroplex, baby!!!!!). Otherwise, it's radio/music that I would rather listen to which isn't offered in the local variety. No progressive talk radio on the local side......gotta go to sirius. I get in specific music moods and I'm a control freak...can't get breakbeat or drum n bass unless I listen to 88.5 at an odd hour.....so back to sirius I go. Control. People want control.
I think this is why Slacker.com has great potential as well....if you dont like the current song, skip it, change the 'channel'. Pay the subscription fee, download the music to the hand held unit that they offer if you want it AND get the ability to skip songs endlessly. Control.
Bear in mind, I'm a listener and not an industry insider like many of you. I know there's a fine balance between the needs of the listener and the needs of the advertiser and I'm sure most stations will lean to the advertiser simply because they figure that they can keep a hold of listeners because it's what they're used to hearing.