Daryl Gray
June 4th, 2005, 01:52 AM
When the XM Satellite Radio service was launched in late 2001, many analysts had forecast that it was the beginning of the end for traditional radio. Satellite radio had many advantages over terrestrial radio, it was capably of delivering a crisp, clear digital signal in a variety of genres from blues to classic rock. Offering over 100 digital channels, a listener could find something to listen to, no matter what his mood was. Best of all, it was available nationwide and a subscriber could listen to his favorite music styles regardless of where he was. Indeed, the concept has proven to be a successful one with XM Radio now boasting over 4 million subscribers and runner up Sirius Radio with over 2 million subscribers, with thousands more each day.
Terrestrial radio stations were unable to compete with the digital quality that satellite radio offered. For some time, traditional radio stations relied on the disadvantages of satellite radio to retain listeners. Satellite radio was a nationwide service and so was incapable of delivering local news and information the way that terrestrial radio can. Additionally, satellite radio receiver depend on a clear line of sight to the satellites to deliver their programming. Tall buildings, tunnels, trees and mountains can temporarily interfere with the signal. The answer for satellite radio was to install terrestrial repeaters in many of the major centers across the USA. This would allow a subscriber a redundant source in case the signal was temporarily blocked out. In 2004, XM Radio realized on one of terrestrial radios worst fears, delivering local information as XM began to offer traffic information for many of the top US markets.
Traditional radio stations were on the ropes, funded by advertisers and station sponsors needed an edge to allow them to better compete. Losing listeners by the dozens also meant the possibility of losing valuable advertisers as well, or at the very least a devaluation of the cost of advertising on their stations. The answer was delivering their signal in high definition. Just as digital television had revolutionized television, digital radio could do the same. HD radio, meant raising the bar on the quality of their signals. It would allow both AM and FM radio stations to offer clear crisp signals, minus the static, hiss or crackle that analog radio brought. High definition AM signals would be able to offer FM quality stereo signals. FM signals would offer near CD quality signals. It also meant that stations would be able to compress their signals digitally, allowing the possibility to broadcast up to 8 different channels using the same amount of bandwidth that a single analog signal required. It also meant that stations could broadcast data along with their signals, allowing for scrolling news or traffic information as well as station ID and artist information as the music was playing. In addition to offering a comparable service for free, to what satellite radio was charging for, it allowed local news and information to its listeners.
Digital radio technology offers many advantages, opening the doors for future HD radio features as built in digital radio recorders, allowing you to record and play back your favorite music, news and weather, as well as subscription services, opening up the possibility for HD radio stations to collect revenue for special on demand services in the future. To date, over 300 terrestrial stations in over across the USA have received the go-ahead from the FCC to begin digital radio broadcasts.
In order to begin receiving HD radio, you will need to be within range of a local radio station offering HD radio signals and you will also need to upgrade your radio receiver to a digital radio capable one. A number of home and mobile audio manufacturers have also begun to offer HD-Radio capable receivers. For the audio aftermarket, Panasonic, JVC, Kenwood, Sanyo and Alpine have come up with some HD ready audio receivers for this year. For the home, Yamaha, Polk, Boston Acoustics, ADA and Rotel have released digital radio compatible audio receivers. As well, some OEM automobile audio companies such as Delphi and Visteon have committed to offering HD Radio ready radios in their new vehicles. Many of the aftermarket automobile manufacturers offering HD radio ready receiver also are capable of receiving satellite radio signals as well, opening up the possibility for you to have the best of both worlds in digital quality.
Choice and compatibility seem to be a large factor for many consumers when they choose an aftermarket system for their vehicle. To retain customer loyalty, many aftermarket manufacturers have begun to move away from technology dedicated to one satellite provider or another. Consumers have never been large on the idea of being tied down to a service. If an XM Radio subscriber wanted to switch to Sirius, it usually meant having to upgrade their entire audio system. This could result in brand switching if consumers were not satisfied with a satellite radio provider. To combat this, manufacturers are beginning to offer “Satellite Radio Ready” audio receivers that are capable of either XM or Sirius tuners. Indeed a smart move as it also ensures extra revenue from unhappy satellite radio subscribers who would still need to purchase a new satellite radio tuner and antenna to receive the other service.
But don’t touch that dial just yet as streaming Internet radio wars are again heating up with all the major players plus many more all competing to gain your attention while on the computer. For many years traditional radio stations have offered either pre-recorded or live streaming feeds in order to attract distant listeners or locals ones at their computers. Again the satellite radio companies followed suit by offering an Internet version of their satellite radio services, for an additional monthly cost. Additionally, there are now a number of independent streaming radio services to keep you from falling asleep as the keyboard. Some offer free, sponsor-driven services, though these tend to offer a limited library of songs with frequent repeats, such as the shoutcast service.
As new technology emerges, it is quite apparent for most media companies that listener loyalty is a paramount concern to them and over the next few years will indeed be interesting to see what emerges as the dominant technology.
© 1997-2005 Digital Insurrection
Terrestrial radio stations were unable to compete with the digital quality that satellite radio offered. For some time, traditional radio stations relied on the disadvantages of satellite radio to retain listeners. Satellite radio was a nationwide service and so was incapable of delivering local news and information the way that terrestrial radio can. Additionally, satellite radio receiver depend on a clear line of sight to the satellites to deliver their programming. Tall buildings, tunnels, trees and mountains can temporarily interfere with the signal. The answer for satellite radio was to install terrestrial repeaters in many of the major centers across the USA. This would allow a subscriber a redundant source in case the signal was temporarily blocked out. In 2004, XM Radio realized on one of terrestrial radios worst fears, delivering local information as XM began to offer traffic information for many of the top US markets.
Traditional radio stations were on the ropes, funded by advertisers and station sponsors needed an edge to allow them to better compete. Losing listeners by the dozens also meant the possibility of losing valuable advertisers as well, or at the very least a devaluation of the cost of advertising on their stations. The answer was delivering their signal in high definition. Just as digital television had revolutionized television, digital radio could do the same. HD radio, meant raising the bar on the quality of their signals. It would allow both AM and FM radio stations to offer clear crisp signals, minus the static, hiss or crackle that analog radio brought. High definition AM signals would be able to offer FM quality stereo signals. FM signals would offer near CD quality signals. It also meant that stations would be able to compress their signals digitally, allowing the possibility to broadcast up to 8 different channels using the same amount of bandwidth that a single analog signal required. It also meant that stations could broadcast data along with their signals, allowing for scrolling news or traffic information as well as station ID and artist information as the music was playing. In addition to offering a comparable service for free, to what satellite radio was charging for, it allowed local news and information to its listeners.
Digital radio technology offers many advantages, opening the doors for future HD radio features as built in digital radio recorders, allowing you to record and play back your favorite music, news and weather, as well as subscription services, opening up the possibility for HD radio stations to collect revenue for special on demand services in the future. To date, over 300 terrestrial stations in over across the USA have received the go-ahead from the FCC to begin digital radio broadcasts.
In order to begin receiving HD radio, you will need to be within range of a local radio station offering HD radio signals and you will also need to upgrade your radio receiver to a digital radio capable one. A number of home and mobile audio manufacturers have also begun to offer HD-Radio capable receivers. For the audio aftermarket, Panasonic, JVC, Kenwood, Sanyo and Alpine have come up with some HD ready audio receivers for this year. For the home, Yamaha, Polk, Boston Acoustics, ADA and Rotel have released digital radio compatible audio receivers. As well, some OEM automobile audio companies such as Delphi and Visteon have committed to offering HD Radio ready radios in their new vehicles. Many of the aftermarket automobile manufacturers offering HD radio ready receiver also are capable of receiving satellite radio signals as well, opening up the possibility for you to have the best of both worlds in digital quality.
Choice and compatibility seem to be a large factor for many consumers when they choose an aftermarket system for their vehicle. To retain customer loyalty, many aftermarket manufacturers have begun to move away from technology dedicated to one satellite provider or another. Consumers have never been large on the idea of being tied down to a service. If an XM Radio subscriber wanted to switch to Sirius, it usually meant having to upgrade their entire audio system. This could result in brand switching if consumers were not satisfied with a satellite radio provider. To combat this, manufacturers are beginning to offer “Satellite Radio Ready” audio receivers that are capable of either XM or Sirius tuners. Indeed a smart move as it also ensures extra revenue from unhappy satellite radio subscribers who would still need to purchase a new satellite radio tuner and antenna to receive the other service.
But don’t touch that dial just yet as streaming Internet radio wars are again heating up with all the major players plus many more all competing to gain your attention while on the computer. For many years traditional radio stations have offered either pre-recorded or live streaming feeds in order to attract distant listeners or locals ones at their computers. Again the satellite radio companies followed suit by offering an Internet version of their satellite radio services, for an additional monthly cost. Additionally, there are now a number of independent streaming radio services to keep you from falling asleep as the keyboard. Some offer free, sponsor-driven services, though these tend to offer a limited library of songs with frequent repeats, such as the shoutcast service.
As new technology emerges, it is quite apparent for most media companies that listener loyalty is a paramount concern to them and over the next few years will indeed be interesting to see what emerges as the dominant technology.
© 1997-2005 Digital Insurrection