HD Radios at "Best Buy" for $39

[RockTheGlobe]

YOU need to show me which HD radio stations have live on-air talent. I have NEVER heard of even one single HD radio station that had live talent exclusive to that HD channel. Most HD stations are off the air for weeks at a time. (And interestingly, one on occasion when that happened, we got ONE complaint!)

Go ahead. Name me a handful of HD radio stations that have live talent. You can't do it. Seriously, someone show me where an HD channel has a live on-air host. This will be the biggest shock of the year.

Again, not trying to be an HD Radio apologist since I'm definitely one of the people arguing that the industry should ditch this failed effort, but...  Here in Los Angeles, I've heard the legendary Jed The Fish on KROQ HD-2 doing breaks during the day.  That said, I'm not sure if he's live.

However, the same argument could be applied to regular AM/FM stations.  How many shifts are either voicetracked or syndicated -- or in the case of many of the Jack-type stations, completely jockless?  Off the top of my head, I can name a number of Providence stations that use syndicated talent, like PRO-FM night guy Ralphie, pretty much the entire lineup on Coast and Tom Kent in nights on B101, just to name a few.  And that's not even calling out shifts that are voicetracked despite the jock being in the building.

[RockTheGlobe]

Go ahead. Name me a handful of HD radio stations that have live talent. You can't do it. Seriously, someone show me where an HD channel has a live on-air host. This will be the biggest shock of the year.

...and I just heard a jock on WXRK-HD2/New York, their "K-Rock" side-channel.

[OhioMediaWatch]

And closer to home, right here in OMW land...

WNWV/107.3 in the Cleveland market moved their primary "Wave" smooth jazz format to HD2 when they debuted AAA "V107.3" on the main channel.  The "Wave"'s Mark Ribbins was PD and did an airshift on the HD2 side (I believe VTed, and PM drive).

He recently was dumped, and I'm pretty sure they aren't doing live voices on "The Wave" WNWV-HD2 anymore.

[jeffryan]

The point of all this (and RTG, you said what I was thinking) is that there is no difference between HD and the main signal. If you're going to offer the same stuff on the HD channels that I'm going to find on the main channels, where's the draw? Add in all the technical problems surrounding HD radio, and there's even less chance that people will listen. Through no fault of their own, a lot simply can't!

The way I look at it, if HD radio content is so compelling as the apologists may argue, why not stream it through your internet portal? WiFi audio streaming is a reality, so there is even less reason (as if we needed less reason) to own an HD radio. Dump the technology altogether and focus on delivering fresh content where people can be found (i.e. - the mobile internet).

[Skynet74]

 No offense to anyone, but Jeff is making a whole lot of sense. Let me sum it up nicely. HD RADIO BLOWS. Jeff outlined each and every reason perfectly. Even the HD stations don't take themselves seriously. If they did, the signals wouldn't be so intermittent. Off and on off an on. It's almost like a balancing act where they can't even decide themselves if it's worth it. It's clearly a failed technology. Everybody knows it. If you don't know it than you are an idiot. I'm sorry. Maybe that was a bit harsh. If you don't know it than you are in deep denial.

Ok fixed.

[RockTheGlobe]

The point of all this (and RTG, you said what I was thinking) is that there is no difference between HD and the main signal. If you're going to offer the same stuff on the HD channels that I'm going to find on the main channels, where's the draw? Add in all the technical problems surrounding HD radio, and there's even less chance that people will listen. Through no fault of their own, a lot simply can't!

The way I look at it, if HD radio content is so compelling as the apologists may argue, why not stream it through your internet portal? WiFi audio streaming is a reality, so there is even less reason (as if we needed less reason) to own an HD radio. Dump the technology altogether and focus on delivering fresh content where people can be found (i.e. - the mobile internet).

I agree, and the other big problem I have with HD Radio (beyond all of the technical failures) is that all of the ads and the marketing campaign keep talking about how HD Radio is free.  Well, yes, the service is free, but you need to buy either an entirely new radio that's HD-ready or you have to buy an add-on to be able to get HD Radio signals and install it.  Yes, you can get HD Radio on your iPod/iPhone...  if you buy an $80 attachment that you now also have to carry around with you to listen.  You can get HD Radio on your car radio...  if you buy a new receiver that's HD-capable and, if it's not built-in like some of the JVC models, also buy the add-on and have the whole thing installed, which is another expense if you don't do it yourself. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again:  Fix the main signal and make that the best possible and most compelling outlet to compete with all the other media out there, then we can talk about those "stations between the stations."

[Skynet74]

I'm going to say one nice thing about HD Radio. Probably the only positive opinion I have towards it. There are some radio stations which change format, but their original format continues to live on in HD. Stations such as WBCN Boston and K-Rock in New York. HD radio has kept those stations alive.

[beantownradio25]

Also, don't forget about the whole HD-2/HD-3 on translator scenario. A new station to make money off of. Manchester and Concord NH got a new CHR radio station due to an HD subchannel on WZID-FM and two 250 watt WZID translators with decent coverage. There are also similar scenareos in other markets, Saga seems to be a leader in this concept.

There is alot of potential out of HD Radio, the broadcasters just need to put compelling content on these HD Subchannels FAST so that the consumer has a reason to buy HD radio, for something different and unheard. They're not gonna buy a radio to hear automationland subchannels with nothing new to offer, they have their iPods and traditional radio for that!

[RockRoll360]

FreeForm WBCN  ( WZLX HD 3 ) is my pick - Does anyone recieve this here in Northern RI>   

[Don Juannn]

The point of all this is that there is no difference between HD and the main signal. If you're going to offer the same stuff on the HD channels that I'm going to find on the main channels, where's the draw?

Who said they are offerring the same thing?  In most major markets, the HD2's and 3's are offerring totally new formats.

The way I look at it, if HD radio content is so compelling as the apologists may argue,

Who has said that HD radio content is "so compelling"?

People keep thinking that HD is claiming to be the second coming.  HD is simply an added feature that offers extra functionality to the radio.  It's offerred to you if you like.  If you don't like, don't use it.

why not stream it through your internet portal?

Most of the Boston stations do just that.

WiFi audio streaming is a reality....so there is even less reason (as if we needed less reason) to own an HD radio.

Streaming is a reality...however a reliable wi-fi signal is not.  Talk about something intermittent.  Until you can get a reliable wi-fi signal everywhere within a market, this is not a viable option.