iBiquity Introduces 2010 Station Pricing for HD Radio

RADIO ONLINE | , , | :am CT

iBiquity Digital, developer of HD Radio technology, announced its 2010 pricing program for station licensing on Monday. The new plan includes reduced license fees and expanded payment options which iBiquity says will simplify radio broadcasters' migration to digital.

"HD Radio Technology has enjoyed tremendous broadcaster support and seen breakthrough progress in receiver sales, automotive adoption and product expansion over the past year," said President/CEO Bob Struble. "Based on this success and heightened broadcaster enthusiasm, we have created flexible, cost-effective licensing options to make upgrading easier."

The new pricing model offers broadcasters three different options. Stations pay a one-time license fee to broadcast digitally on their main channel:

1. Enclose payment in full with signed contract: $10,500
2. Invoice next business month standard net 30 terms: $11,000
3. 12 automatic electronic payments: $12,500 ($1,042/month)

"Thousands of radio stations large and small have upgraded to HD Radio Technology," according to iBiquity Director of U.S. Broadcast Sales Rick Greenhut. "In fact, approximately one new HD Radio station goes on the air every three days. Currently, there are over 2,000 stations broadcasting in digital. Because of that growing momentum, we want to encourage stations who have not yet upgraded to start reaping the benefits of digital broadcasting."

At present, 85% of Americans are within reach of an HD Radio station and more than half of all radio listening is taking place on stations that have upgraded. Additionally, there are over 1,100 multicast channels on-air, enabling FM radio stations to broadcast multiple unique programming streams.