Wal-Mart has agreed to start selling HD Radio receivers, giving a boost of confidence to the terrestrial digital radio camp.

"When America's biggest retailer steps up, it shows we've really reached prime time," said Peter Ferrara, president of the HD Digital Radio Alliance, a coalition of major radio companies that support the technology.

Starting today, Wal-Mart will start selling a $190 car-radio model made by JVC in nearly 2,000 of its 3,500 stores and on their Web site (currently listed as "Out of Stock"). Wal-Mart will also help support consumer education and other promotion for HD Radio.

The fact that HD Radio is a free service will appeal to Wal-Mart's generally cost-conscious market, but I don't see it as being the panacea that will launch HD Radio to super-stardom. Plus, merger-hopefuls will likely see this as a move that helps solidify HD Radio, and Satellite Radio, as being in the same market.

[Wall Street Journal]