"HD DOA"

[radiopilot]

I just did Google Trends comparisons for HD Radio vs. Corn Flakes, Chevrolet Impalas, English Muffins, and Pepper Shakers. I invite you to do the same. You'll find "proof" as Pocket would have us believe that HD Radio is more "popular" than all of these items, when clearly in this world there are more Corn Flakes, Chevrolet Impalas, English Muffins, and Pepper Shakers than HD Radio. "Google Searches" means nothing in such comparisons, because most people NEVER SEARCH GOOGLE for ordinary household items like Pepper Shakers, English Muffins, Corn Flakes, and Radios.

Would you agree the majority of people NEVER search Google for HD radio also? What incentive would they do so?

Radiopilot

[Mike Walker]

I'd say the majority of people HAVEN'T HEARD OF HD RADIO YET. They think they have, so they answer "yes" when asked, because it sounds so similar to HDTV, which they've seen on their tv screens for the last decade. So yes, I'd agree RadioPilot that most people don't search for HD radio. Or Pepper shakers. Or socks. Or puppies. Or Chevrolet Impalas. All of which seem to do just fine without Google searches!

I use Google to search for things I can't find in books, or elsewhere. There are things I shop for online, and others I don't. I usually shop for radios the same way I do (or used to do...I've been married 30 years!) for companionship...in person, by TOUCHING!

[PocketRadio]

I'd say the majority of people HAVEN'T HEARD OF HD RADIO YET.

 

"In-Stat: Digital Radio Set to Take Off"

"In 2006, 73 percent of respondents to an In-Stat U.S. consumer survey were aware of HD Radio on some level.[/i]"

http://radiomagonline.com/eyeoniboc/instat-digital-radio-set/

"Bridge Ratings: Sweat the cell phone and don't count on HD"

"In other words, Bridge says interest in HD radio is decreasing even as your station works hard to increase awareness. What can I possibly add to this honest and bleak picture that I haven't said before? My well-intended warnings about HD's "premature death" seem to be rearing their ugly heads almost two years later. I take zero pleasure in being right about this because it all could have been prevented - and perhaps it still can be. Start by re-reading the 2005 article or for more discussion buy my book."

http://www.hear2.com/2007/04/bridge_ratings_.html

This whole HD Radio thing really cracks-me-up ! 

[Mike Walker]

Do Bridge Ratings happen to mention that ALL streaming music could end on May 15th? Does THAT "crack you up"? Do they mention that almost no streaming station ANYWHERE makes money? Does THAT "crack you up"?

Facts are a dangerous thing!

[Chuck]

Do Bridge Ratings happen to mention that ALL streaming music could end on May 15th? Does THAT "crack you up"? Do they mention that almost no streaming station ANYWHERE makes money? Does THAT "crack you up"?

Facts are a dangerous thing!

Actually, all streamers have been given a two month reprieve while our elected officials try to do whatever it is monkeys do with footballs.  The new drop dead date is July 15.

I'll go out on a limb and predict that something will be worked out and many Internet broadcasters will survive.  It looks like we will by a stroke of luck. Because we are an actual licensed over the air broadcaster, and because we are a real live 501(c)(3) organization, it appears that we qualify for the flat rate of $500 per year. That is until we surpass 194,000 or so listener hours per month. That works out to be something a little less that 250 people listening 24/7.   We're a long way from that, so for now it will be OK.  Of course, if every one else goes away, we might get more popular.   Be careful what you wish for…

Sound Exchange’s new song reporting requirements are an entirely different story.  They want song reporting from us retroactive to April 2004.  We do have the records in our log, but assembling it into a format that is acceptable to Sound Exchange would be a horrific ordeal.  It looks like a full time 40 hour per week job for someone just to handle the paperwork.  I can't say that I'm very happy about that.

I wonder what Bridge ratings has to say about that?  Don't they have an answer to just about everything? 

[Mike Walker]

A percentage of income would be fair, just as with commercial radio. For the life of me, I don't see what the record industry has against internet radio. Commercial radio is so structured, there is virtually no chance for new music to be heard (something that hopefully HD multicasting will help fix). For internet broadcasting to survive, and thrive, it seems to me that they should (and the best ones are) ALL OVER types of music that can't be heard elsewhere. Which means exposing MORE people to MORE types of music from MORE new artists who aren't exactly mainstream. All to the good of EVERYONE, right? If only the record companies had seen the internet as a great new tool a few years back, rather than a threat! Pretty damn sad.

[Chuck]

A percentage of income would be fair, just as with commercial radio. For the life of me, I don't see what the record industry has against internet radio. Commercial radio is so structured, there is virtually no chance for new music to be heard (something that hopefully HD multicasting will help fix). For internet broadcasting to survive, and thrive, it seems to me that they should (and the best ones are) ALL OVER types of music that can't be heard elsewhere. Which means exposing MORE people to MORE types of music from MORE new artists who aren't exactly mainstream. All to the good of EVERYONE, right? If only the record companies had seen the internet as a great new tool a few years back, rather than a threat! Pretty damn sad.

It is.  Just more greed...

[Mike Walker]

You're right Chuck. It is greed. And there's nothing wrong with greed per-se. After all, capitalism without greed just doesn't work. But some greed is just stupid. Obviously (to me) the record companies will do better if they let webcasters expose people to more different kinds of music!

Remember in the 80s when Jack Valenti (God rest his recently departed soul) said the VCR would spell "the death of the film industry". WRONG! It was it's savior! So could internet radio be for the record industry, if they'd work WITH webcasters rather than against them!

[Chuck]

Remember in the 80s when Jack Valenti (God rest his recently departed soul) said the VCR would spell "the death of the film industry". WRONG! It was it's savior! So could internet radio be for the record industry, if they'd work WITH webcasters rather than against them!

Exactly.  They will sell a lot more records if people have the opportunity to be exposed to new (or even old) music.  The VCR and DVD player certainly did not hurt the film industry, and despite predictions to the contrary, they keep building new movie theaters all over the place.  I doubt they are doing that for health reasons...

[Mike Walker]

Hell Chuck, forget new music. Imagine how much wonderful OLD music, the kind your station plays, is NEVER heard by new generations who would LOVE IT if only given a chance! Imagine the next potential Diana Krall is out there somewhere, but she may never find her "voice" because she's never heard Ella or Nat! Pretty sad!