Panama Selects HD Radio

[BRNout]

Who is going to pay that?  Hmmmm?  Who?  No one I've ever met in Latin America, that's for sure - and most of my friends are in the upper classes.  The "average" Panamanian would never think of it.  But they will suffer the new hash on their radios. 

I think the objective is to be digital, which vould have big snob appeal.

In Mexico, some of the stations with the lowest audience make the most money... because they appeal to the highest income levels. This is the sort of thing that could play to that type of audience.

When I put on my first FM in Ecuador, there were no FMs for 1000 miles around. Within a year, about 30,000 FM radios, costing a minimum of $150 US in '64 dollars, had been sold, and the station was #2 in upper income levels and top 10 in middle income levels.

Agreed about income level versus ratings in Latin America.  This is why most larger markets down there have a lot of stations playing American pop and/or AC music.  They don't get the best ratings, but they do get the big advertising dollars because the wealthy listen to them.  But, extending that concept to HD radio is a stretch indeed.

The thing that is being overlooked here is that an analogy of today's HD radio to the advent of FM back in the 50s and 60s isn't quite accurate.  The acoustical and reception improvement that FM offered when compared to AM was (and is) a quantum leap compared to the marginal 'advantage' provided by HD.  Basically the only real advantage is the ability to pick up those multicasts.   AM HD, if it worked, provides you with improved sound which is no better than a given AM stations stereo stream on the internet.  And, the extra oomph supposedly provided to the acoustics of the FM signal is debatable and depends on what system you are using and what bandwidth the station is providing you with.

Back in the 1960s, people were a lot more willing to check out FM because such amazing "technology" was a fresh and up and coming thing.  It provided stereo - the radio equivalent to a color TV.  Amazing stuff back then. 

Today it's ho-hum for HD and I don't see the reaction being any more pronounced in Latin America either.  People are surprisingly computer literate in these countries and can already pick up streams from all over the world.   The perception of value-added by purchasing an HD radio is low, even to them.  In fact, especially to them as that $150 purchase would be seen as unnecessary....unlike the purchase of a computer which can provide the same level of entertainment value as HD and 1000 times more.   

A computer is a necessity for many.  A radio is a necessity for most, as is a TV.  HD radio?  Not necessary at all to anyone.  Purely a luxury item - and one not even of interest to most in the wealthier classes.  And it won't ever be necessary unless a governmental fiat requires everything to be digital.  Then you'll have a lot of pissed off people.

[Savage]

Here we go again. 

Got it, David: everything in the USA sucks.  Brazil has ALL the answers.  (Yet - inexplicably - YOU'RE still living here.)   

Who the hell suggested all Latin American stations were POS made of castoff American equipment?  All Freebird and I said was, Central & South America and the Caribbean are where a lot of the old stuff gets sold.  There are showplaces and toilet facilities in every country.  I think it's plausible that a lot of out-of-service HD will wind up in countries which have adopted HD as a standard.  In fact it's obvious.

(And I believe HD will be about as successful South Of The Border as it has been here.  Which is to say, not very.)

As far as criticisms of the USA and its broadcast infrastructure goes, the issue reminds me of those lefties who tiresomely lecture all of us about the evils of capitalism, and how Cuba and Venezuelan regimes are SO much more compassionate.  Yet the Chavez-cuddlers haven't lived five minutes anywhere outside of a representative democratic republic and pontificate with the safety of Constitutionally protected rights.

As we approach Memorial Day, let's all pause.  And give heartfelt thanks for those who died giving us the freedom and free time to debate such ludicrously immaterial issues as HD Radio.  (If we were unfortunate enough to live in North Korea, for example, we might be contemplating a 28-year life expectancy or which tree we were going to strip bark off to make soup tonight.  Kind of a different set of priorities, no??)

God Bless the USA.  And may God reserve a special place to those who gave all to keep us free.

[DavidEduardo]

Got it, David: everything in the USA sucks.  Brazil has ALL the answers.

 

Who said anything about the US "sucking" in any way? I simply commented that the "33 Revolutions a Minute" and "old tube equipment" statements were stereotypes and generally not true. 

(Yet - inexplicably - YOU'RE still living here.)   

I decided, for family reasons, some years ago to return to the US. I would, indeed, prefer to be in any number of places in Latin America where the culture and I have greater affinity, but one often makes trade-offs in life and this is one of them. Not that I dislike the US; I just like some other places even better.

Who the hell suggested all Latin American stations were POS made of castoff American equipment?  All Freebird and I said was, Central & South America and the Caribbean are where a lot of the old stuff gets sold.

Considering that there are twice as many radio stations in Latin America as a whole than in the US, that would be natural. But most of the junk goes to evangelical stations and the like, since the commercial stations buy a much better quality of gear in general.

As far as criticisms of the USA and its broadcast infrastructure goes, the issue reminds me of those lefties who tiresomely lecture all of us about the evils of capitalism, and how Cuba and Venezuelan regimes are SO much more compassionate.  Yet the Chavez-cuddlers haven't lived five minutes anywhere outside of a representative democratic republic and pontificate with the safety of Constitutionally protected rights.

I don't see any criticisms of the US in this thread, just some very industry specific comparisons. But, since I have lived most of my life in Latin America and still spend much of my time there, I guess you are addressing someone else.

God Bless the USA.  And may God reserve a special place to those who gave all to keep us free.

And on that, we can agree.

[KB1OKL]

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[elchupacabras]

Fascinating thread and comments from all.  Thanks to David for those AWESOME Radio 10 pictures. Wow!

Many are saying HD won't work in Latin America. I think it may. I make it no secret that I am no fan of AM HD, but am of FM. I think it very well could be a viable format.

As for some concern about whether Latinos will buy HD radios at an extra cost? Yes, if marketed properly. Having lived in Argentina, the U.S. and now in Mexico, I too have dealt with the culture, and it may surprise some of you just how progressive Latinos are in purchasing electronics. I see lower middle class kids here with I-Phones and mp3 equipped cellphones here in Mexico that cost well over $400. In fact, I would dare say THEY are better outfitted than some US teens electronically. Big screen TV's, stereos and the likes, are status symbols, and there are some who would prefer to spend money on those items before even purchasing a car or a home (obviously an over generalization, but somewhat true). If broadcasters offer variety on FM HD channels and market it better than has been done in the US, I see it working much better. (Variety is probably easier in Latin America due to all the different folk music available, plus even doing an English based is not out of the realm of possibility, as many now are bilingual). I am waiting for a full-blown launch outside of Mexico City and the border area in Mexico.

Years ago, I can remember walking past a villa miseria in Tigre (near the x-mtr site David mentions) comprised of three-sided huts built by Toba Indians (don't think this is the norm in Argentina, there are shanty towns everywhere, even in the US).  In spite of their dire poverty,  every home had a HUGE $1500+ stereo system with a television!

There is another reason why HD radio may have a better chance in Latin America: while generally radio listening is on the decline in the US, the number ONE media in all of Latin America is RADIO! Radio is much more important in the lives of Latin Americans and is a part of their daily routine.

Don't discount HD FM, it has a viable future and I believe Latin America, if marketed properly, could teach US broadcasters a thing or two about how to do it!

[KB1OKL]

I don't know about other Latin American countries or cities but I lived in Lima, Peru for a year and there is a station on every available frequency, especially on FM, HD would not stand a chance there as it would be a veritable cacophony of whoosh and hiss as it is on the AM band here at night. Their radio stations sounded great too, too good to ruin with iBlock, a technology looking for a reason to exist. Pawning HD transmitters on unsuspecting Latinos is so far fetched it's downright pathetic. Incidentally the kids in Lima are as hip as the kids are here, they love electronic gadgets but... they're walking around with iPods and lap tops, no likely HD victims there.

[SUPERCASTER]

I guess the HD Radio cartel has try to unload all that surplus HD broadcast equipment and returned HD radios somewhere.

I expect their next press release will read "ANTARCTICA, NEW HOT MARKET FOR HD RADIO".

[KB1OKL]

I guess the HD Radio cartel has try to unload all that surplus HD broadcast equipment and returned HD radios somewhere.

I expect their next press release will read "ANTARCTICA, NEW HOT MARKET FOR HD RADIO".

WHO NEEDS GLOBAL WARMING? HD RADIO SALES ARE SO HOT WE'RE MELTING THE ICE CAPS!!!!

(disclaimer, not meant to be a political statement)

[Carmine5]

John Anderson over at DIY Media notes that in spite of Panama's recent announcement, the number of countries which have embraced HD Radio is very, very small.

While the United States, the Philippines, and Panama have endorsed HD Radio, other countries have dismissed it as a viable digital radio protocol. These countries include Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

Then their are other: "Countries...who have either engaged in some...level of testing of the HD Radio protocol, or, in a very few cases, have allowed its limited and conditional deployment (but have not formally committed to HD as the national DAB standard). These countries include Argentina, Australia, Bosnia, Brazil, China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, France, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, Thailand, the Ukraine, and Vietnam. In some of these instances, the tests were of limited duration and no further action has been taken by national regulators."

Those countries which have already chosen or are testing non-HD Radio broadcast standards include much of Asia and Western Europe.

Finally, we have the rest of the world, notably Africa, eastern Europe, Latin America (other than Brazil and Argentina), and the Middle East which have simply not thought much about making a digital radio transition - analog works just fine for them.

So, according to Mr. Anderson, for Bob Struble to proclaim that HD Radio is "becoming a standard around the world" is to stretch the truth.

http://www.diymedia.net/

C5