HD Radio question of the day

[Lester]

I thought that was Marsha Brady.

Dale B. has big plans for HD radio... not really sure why he hasn't moved forward with it yet. Prolly cause there aren't enough radios out there yet?

Seems like some giveaways (with free installation for your car) might be in order. You aren't going to sell radios until people actually think they're missing out on something. (Like an all-80's V100 channel on HD2... promote the shit out of it, give away home/car radios (through trade... of course. followed with a cross promoted promotion exclusive to the new channel. Create the feeling that they're missing out, and the masses will follow.)

[AmpedNow]

Maybe the light finally came on...

Ford to Make HD Digital Radio Available Across Nearly All Product Lines
Dealer-installed option available nationwide on nearly every 2008 model year Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle

http://www.hdradio.com/press_room.php?newscontent=231

The problem is, it's still an option. It needs to just be there.

Honestly, assuming the option price is near equal, most people will opt for Sirius instead, because more people know what it is.

WV Radio is the only company supporting HD (that isn't using your tax dollars to do so). No HD2 content though... just analog simulcast.

I agree that this is rather redundant, as virtually no one will notice the improved sound quality. Or care.

The question is what to put on multiple HD streams... Should it compliment the "primary" station, As 80s would to V-100? Or, should it be completely different, like punk rock or classic country? IMHO, smooth jazz would a good subchannel compliment to V.

In some cases, AM news/talkers are simulcasted on an FM sister station's subchannel. In NYC, WABC can also be found on WPLJ's HD-3, for example.

It's also a good way to "resurrect" a market legend. Also in NYC, the legendary WNEW has been resurrected on WWFS' HD-2, which is also on the original WNEW's frequency.

There are many great ideas that can be done on HD. The biggest challenge is just getting those chips into as many radios as possible, at little to no additional cost.

[Lester]

Still kicking myself over missing the whole "brand extension", esp given my opinion of what HD2 and HD3 should be.

I think the HD2 on up should complement the existing format, without too much cross over of playlists (if any). So V100 goes with 80's on HD2, and put you damn near to sleep AC on HD3.

Stations like Rock 105 may have a little more wiggle room, or could go with splitting the ETR format into new and classic rock on the 2 and 3 feed (or vice versa, depending on who you think should have the greater bandwidth.)

Just rambling.

[genlock]

And public radio could have jazz offsetting classical during the day and classical offsetting jazz at night on HD2.
on HD3 public radio could have full time NPR left wing news feed that they think is fair and balanced.

[genlock]

Boyd County Lions on analog and HD1.
Tomcats on HD2 and Russell Red Devils on HD3.
Or Logan, Man and ChapmanSville.
Now that would sell some radios and spots.

[Oldiesdude]

This might be slightly off thread, but I am going to throw it in anyway.
Moderators can move it else where or thow it out completly.

Here is a idea, with cell phones and a way to really reach your listners. In direct opposite of "Jack radio" (we play what we want.)

The station runs ads in local papers with a play list (in very small print), of say 500 - 1000, or more, songs numbered. The listners to the station can call and a computer answers. They punch in the number of what song they want to hear. It keeps tabs of all requests. Bumping the ones requested the most to the top of the heap, but never more than the 3rd song out. Those are locked in and set to play, and then not again for a set period of time. If wanted the computer could even match beats to make the flow even better. Live jocks could see whats up and throw in intros for what songs are set to play. The computer could also print out a dedecation, that was keyed in and for what song. In times when no requests are being made, it goes to auto mode, or jock takes over. Any programers out there want to take a shot at this?

There would have to be some allowence for timing into things like newscasts etc... but could be done.

Well the people in the nice white coats are here, and I have to get off the computer.

[Force Commander]

This might be slightly off thread, but I am going to throw it in anyway.
Moderators can move it else where or thow it out completly.

Here is a idea, with cell phones and a way to really reach your listners. In direct opposite of "Jack radio" (we play what we want.)

The station runs ads in local papers with a play list (in very small print), of say 500 - 1000, or more, songs numbered. The listners to the station can call and a computer answers. They punch in the number of what song they want to hear. It keeps tabs of all requests. Bumping the ones requested the most to the top of the heap, but never more than the 3rd song out. Those are locked in and set to play, and then not again for a set period of time. If wanted the computer could even match beats to make the flow even better. Live jocks could see whats up and throw in intros for what songs are set to play. The computer could also print out a dedecation, that was keyed in and for what song. In times when no requests are being made, it goes to auto mode, or jock takes over. Any programers out there want to take a shot at this?

There would have to be some allowence for timing into things like newscasts etc... but could be done.

Well the people in the nice white coats are here, and I have to get off the computer.

There was a system along the lines you are suggesting in the 90's in the U.S.. It was called 'The Box" It ran on LPTV stations and some cable mostly, with listeners calling a phone number, song list online, pressing the number code for the song they wanted and it got in line. You could even text a scrolling message for a decication (for an extra fee).

It still exists, although moved to the UK and Ireland only according to wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Box_%2 ... channel%29

http://www.thebox.co.uk/

[Clay JD Walker]

http://1077theend.com/pages/1484144.php

It's being done...in Seattle.

It's a brilliant idea.

[AmpedNow]

http://www.hear2.com/2008/05/i-finally-figur.html

Not bad...

[SPIKE NESMITH!]

It still exists, although moved to the UK and Ireland only according to wikipedia.

Pssshhheewwwww. The Box! Music television YOU control!

LOVED The Box. We used to have it on our old cable system back in the mid 90s. A friend and I spent an entire afternoon calling up and punching 026 (I remember it to this day) so that all that was played all afternoon was Clarence Carter's "Strokin'" back to back. They had a decent slew of Weird Al vids, too.

...as you can imagine, the long winter nights flew by, down my way.

As for all-request radio, the internet automation software SAM-2 and 3 can handle that. Listeners can make requests through a java app on your website and SAM will cue the songs automatically, retaining the usual artist/song/genre/decade separation rules your station is running. It's really rather a nifty piece of kit. Of course, it doesn't account for what puts ILR above and beyond ipods and satellite, which is that the public at large like to hear themselves and/or their names on the radio, in addition to their song.

[Ace Purple]

I noticed that many stations in Tampa and Orlando (where I was this past weekend for a wedding), particularly Cox and Clear Channel outlets, used the HD-1 in their legal IDs. For example, WHTQ (Cox classic rocker in Orlando) identified itself as "96.5 WHTQ and WHTQ HD-1 Orlando's only stations for 100% classic rock." Notice the plural in stations -- that stood out to me.

When I returned from Florida, I had a catalog from Crutchfield waiting for me. What stood out to me was the promotion on the back cover of HD-ready car receivers available within the catalog. The selection wasn't staggering, but it was interesting to note its promotion within.

[AmpedNow]

I noticed that many stations in Tampa and Orlando (where I was this past weekend for a wedding), particularly Cox and Clear Channel outlets, used the HD-1 in their legal IDs. For example, WHTQ (Cox classic rocker in Orlando) identified itself as "96.5 WHTQ and WHTQ HD-1 Orlando's only stations for 100% classic rock." Notice the plural in stations -- that stood out to me.

They do this in L.A. and Houston, too. The calls followed by "HD-1", then the COL.

When I returned from Florida, I had a catalog from Crutchfield waiting for me. What stood out to me was the promotion on the back cover of HD-ready car receivers available within the catalog. The selection wasn't staggering, but it was interesting to note its promotion within.

Besides tech geeks, car enthusiasts are well aware of HD. Many are getting HD and satellite aftermarket radios installed.

The iBiquity people need to get these chips into as many radios as possible, asap... Even if it means taking short-term losses. They also need to make sweet deals to get more small market operators on board. This cannot be an almost exclusive major market technology forever.

[Dave Loudin]

Maybe urban legend, but identifying the HD-1 stream is an FCC requirement.

[Scott Reppert]

A friend and I spent an entire afternoon calling up and punching 026 (I remember it to this day) so that all that was played all afternoon was Clarence Carter's "Strokin'" back to back.