HD Radio Reaches Major Milestones with 1000 Multicasts

RADIO ONLINE | , , | :am CT

The HD Digital Radio Alliance announced major milestones on Wednesday with 1000 multicast stations now being broadcast on-air and 100 SKUs now available at retail. Since the Alliance was formed three years ago, member and non-member broadcasters have accelerated commitments to HD2/HD3 stations while device manufacturers are now incorporating HD Radio in products at a much faster pace.

Also Wednesday, the Alliance announced its new on-air ad flight on over 700 stations in the top 100 markets, extending the broadcasters' commitment to promoting HD Radio technology to 42 months. The new campaign will continue educating consumers that they need a new receiver to enjoy the HD experience. All of the ads will incorporate the tag, "If you don't have an HD, you're not hearing HD. It's time to upgrade."

"The 1,000 multicast and 100 SKU milestones are significant on many levels -- broadcasters are continuing to see the value in offering additional content, stakeholders are seeing that radio and electronic manufacturers have fully embraced the radio digital revolution, and consumers now have more format choices on the dial and receiver models than ever before," said Founder/Strategic Peter Ferrara.

"In this economic environment, being able to receive all these extra stations around the country for free is immensely appealing," said Alliance President Diane Warren. "With receivers available for every personal taste and with innovative multicast stations on-air, HD Radio's future is bright."

To date, there are close to 2000 stations broadcasting their primary signal in digital quality, reaching 84% of the U.S. population. The auto industry continues to back HD Radio technology, with a total of 12 automakers now on board, including Audi, BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Lincoln, Mercedes, Mercury, MINI, Scion, and Volvo. Every major receiver manufacturer is offering the upgraded digital system (Alpine, Dual, Insignia, Kenwood, Sony, Yamaha, etc.) and are being sold by all the big-box retail stores like Buy Buy, Costco, Target, Wal-Mart, among many others.