Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin is leaving on an international trade trip to Asia in mid-June, according to Stifel Nicholaus analyst Blair Levin.The analyst noted that while negotiations can continue without him, "there is a fear that momentum will decrease." This could effectively push the date for a final decision on the merger between Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. out even further.
Stifel added that this could be one of the reasons why all the parties are pushing so hard right now. The firm has heard reports of "key company decision-makers" visiting to the FCC in hopes to shore up final merger conditions.
The firm sees July as the most likely timeframe, though will reevaluate when the Chairman leaves for his trip.
UPDATE: Dealscape is reporting this as well. Orbitcast's requests for confirmation from the FCC were not returned.
Oh sure , we will get to that siri, xm merger as soon as I get back in July and after a few more meetings ..We can get this done by the end of the 3rd qrt. maybe..
Great. Juuuuust GREAT.
Running away eh?
Martin you Bastard!
Lol. Could this get any MORE comical?
They HAVE to make a movie about this merger someday. Would be hysterical.
Is hoping Martin and the FCC come to a decision BEFORE he leaves to Asia asking too much???
Mid June eh? That would leave next week as the last chance for the FCC to decide on the merger prior to Martin taking off.
Oh man. I can't even BRING myself to entertain the thought. That is how much we've all been beaten senseless by this fiasco. You can't believe ANYTHING about the merger anymore. It's this state of "LIMBO" that is the worst...and the reason why the stock has just been stuck in the mid 2s.
Too bad he's coming back.
Is this a bad dream?
It will be done by Christmas. Oh wait, Easter, no uh, the Fourth of July 09....
It will be done by Christmas. Oh wait, Easter, no uh, the Fourth of July 09....
I agree about them making a movie. It's so funny that you wouldn't even need to make it a spoof. You could recount real events and use real documents.
Think Austin Powers movie but based on this merger and without exageration.
How many of you invested in SIRI because Hooky told you to?
SUCKERS....
Time to place him on the 'no-fly' list. It is time for M.K. to force the issue and get the decision now.
he's going to Thailand with John and Jeff for young children.
LINGER LONGER!
Someone should write a book.................. ;)
Cute the Heat is on and he gets out of town. And i bet we pay for it.
While this merger is of the utmost importance to stockholders, to the FCC this merger is a relatively unimportant matter. People on these boards seem to think the FCC has nothing better to do than look at this merger. It's no different from my job. I have 15 - 20 assignments at any given time. Everyone thinks their project is the most important but the fact is there are priorities and something like the XM/Sirius merger is at the bottom of it. Lets hope the FCC blow this whole thing off until xm/sirius forget about it too. Then Mel will leave and all will be well again in SDARS land.
I'd love to see this merger stalled--can't wait to see the FM hacks Jon Zellner and Steve Kingston flee like rats from a sinking ship--serves them right...we opted for XM to get away from FM, not to embrace it.
Pfreak, that is not a fair assessment.
While XM/Sirius pales in comparison to larger deals, each matter must be given its fair analysis in due time. The interests of either Clear Channel, or me as a stockholder should have no bearing on their calendar; however, it is as Clear Channel, NAB, and the rest of the people that make America worse are coming out of the woodwork in a sort of Business Filibuster. This is inappropriate, and as a result indicates a fundamental flaw in the FCC; especially, when companies which are more ambiguously creating anti-competitive, not-good-for-consumer landscapes like Verizon-Alltel get minimal review in expedited time.
There is a lawsuit to be had here against the FCC for destroying Shareholder equity through incompetence, and a savvy lawyer might have a case. My ex works at Lanham Watkins (XM's counsel), and if you knew her, you'd be scared as hell about her on your bad side. (in fact itd be the nicest thing the &%@$ did for me yet, besides never call me again, haha).
The genius with the wife that works at "Lanham Watkins" have your wife explain to you that the FCC is not responsible e for shareholder value, or the in the case of SIRI, the lack of it. The fact is shareholder value has declined 2.3 billion prior t the merger announcment, not after. Additionally I would question why you would invest in a company that is so dependent on a merger for sucess.
The rules of the game are well documented and people, if we like it or not, are playing within those rules. Since you wife is the legal expert you should have her explain to you the implications of signing agreements, like the one SIRI did when then got the spectrum not to merge.
Pack Stointer,
There is NO lawsuit worth the ink it's written on towards the FCC on them doing their job handling a "merge" monopoly which has already been mandated and agreed to as something that wouldn't be possible. The only lawsuit worth while is the one against Sirius and xm not working within their agreements to the FCC, screwing the consumer in the process.
Kevin is doing his job, he is going on a business trip doing his job
Satradio fanboys take a breath don't continue to prove your blind ignorance to the rest of us, while making all sat radio consumers look stupid, while making orbitcast a joke.
pfreak was correct above, the FCC has plenty of other work to do than to push thru what amounts to a government handout to help Sirius and xm continue to ignore its agreements with the FCC, and make up for some of the worst management teams media corporations have ever seen. The FCC has plenty of other work to do than find true justification to push thru rulings which make prior satradio ignored agreements null and void, while finding any justification for making the consumers pay for this "merger" with higher prices, less content, and removal of choice.
Forgot seeing where shareholders are expected to make money on all risky investments, and yes most investments are risky, heck for one a egomanic CEO like Mel might wake up one day and joke that he would like to by his competition even though he just got his company turned to the right direction, even though he admitted FCC regulation would never let it happen. Then the joke becomes reality and Sirius and xm start their PR machines spinning, giving blind ignorant satradio fanboys something to grab on to hook line and sinker.
This "merge" is nothing but a MONOPOLY game desperate for short term cash grab for satradio management while the entire industry is driven into the ground. So satradio fanboys do yourselves a favor and learn something, understand your gripes are for Sirius and xm management and no one else.
My favorite Kevin Martin quotes.
While speaking to reporters, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said that
the Commission plans to vote on the pending Sirius-XM merger in the
fourth quarter of 2007. Martin said the FCC is trying to meet its goal
of deciding on pending mergers within 180 days. "That's our target,"
said Martin.
Martin stated back in January that it was the agency's goal to come to
decision by the end of the first-quarter. He reiterated again stating,
"We're just at the beginning of March," he said. "So I wouldn't say
that we still can't get it done by the end of the first quarter."
When asked whether the FCC had waited for the Justice Department's
decision to issue its own ruling Martin told Radio Ink, “I wouldn't
say that the DOJ was slowing us down."
Martin said he expected the Federal Communications Commission to rule
after the Department of Justice makes its decision. "I still think
the commission will act on it after the Department of Justice acts,"
Martin added. "If there's a need for us to go forward, then we'll go
forward quickly after that."
And now for the latest quote, "[the commission] will hopefully be able to do something on it soon." Oh, I forgot about my trip to Asia...nevermind.
Hey pfreak,
Does it take you a well over a year to complete an “unimportant” assignment?!?!? Who do you work for the FCC? The Iranian hostages didn't have to wait this long to be released! At my job unimportant matters are decided in the blink of an eye to lower the overall volume of matters that need to be addressed. And we don’t let everybody down to the janitor have an opinion on what color our letterhead is either. After the DOJ decision the FCC had no reason for further deliberation on an “unimportant matter” unless of course………….
Matters .......Smatters,
WRONG
"After the DOJ decision the FCC had no reason for further deliberation"
Take a step back and a deep breath Matters .......Smatters your showing everyone your ignorance. The FCC mandates which both Sirius and xm agreed to are very much the FCC's decision. Just because the DOJ rubber stamp got it completely wrong on Sirius/xm "do not compete with each other" doesn't require the FCC has to make the same mistake.
What's the desperate need some here have for "merge" MONOPOLY? Does your choice in sat radio not cut it for you? Enough to have the ability to chose taken away? With higher prices, less content, and less talent. Wake up blind ignorant satradio fanboys.
How stupid are you people? This means nothing.
Do you think this is 1776 and they're going to have all stand in the same room and sign an XM Sirius document together?
Martin can give his yea or nay on this from the moon. It doesn't matter where he is, the proposals are drafted and given to each Commissioner to give their yea or nay. That can be done from a toilet in India or from a train in China, it doesn't matter.
As a matter of fact, this is actually positive. It leaves one less commissioner that special interest groups can schedule meetings with.
How stupid are you people? This means nothing.
Do you think this is 1776 and they're going to have all stand in the same room and sign an XM Sirius document together?
Martin can give his yea or nay on this from the moon. It doesn't matter where he is, the proposals are drafted and given to each Commissioner to give their yea or nay. That can be done from a toilet in India or from a train in China, it doesn't matter.
As a matter of fact, this is actually positive. It leaves one less commissioner that special interest groups can schedule meetings with.
The FCC does not owe the companies a decision, they owe me and the other 17M subscribers an answer. These jerks work for us, or at least they are supposed to. This merger has benefits all over it for the consumer. That is what the FCC is there to decide. It is not their job to look at monopoly concerns. DOJ really needs to remind them of this. The FCC seems to think the entire decision rests with them. It does not. The only thing they are to decide is if the license is transferred, is it in the public's best interest....knowing that this is not a monopoly.
They seriously need to be reminded of this.
Cool, I'm going somewheres.
The analyst noted that while negotiations can continue without him, "there is a fear that momentum will decrease."
lol, momentum, what momentum?
Joe,
The FCC owes you nothing AND they are not "jerks"
Your are also wrong the entire decision at this point does rest with the FCC.
Now tell us all how consumers who have a choice of two sat radio companies will benefit by that choice being removed. That direct competition being removed, Duplicate channels between companies being removed, have less content, less talent and higher prices will have "benefits all over it for the consumer"?
Thats right set aside the fanboy koolaid and think what the "merge" really means to consumers. You must really dislike your current choice in satradio to be so desperate for a "merge" sadly in reality it's not at all being done to benefit the consumer NOR the satradio industry.
Think, learn, a mind is a terrible thing to waste. Blindly towing the satradio fanboy line hook, line and sinker does no one including yourself any good.
Hey AC
Testicle Radio had a mandate pertaining to how many stations one entity could own at one time per market and the FCC changed those mandates. How in the fuck does homogenizing radio markets help the consumer? More of the same commercials between commercial breaks don’t cut it for me, “Talent” that is dumb down so children can listen doesn’t cut it for me, monotonous play lists based on Payola don’t cut it for me.
And you constant BS about “free” radio is just that HD IS A LAME ATTEMPT AT FEE RADIO! You jerk offs are just trying to do an end around on the current subscription services. Misery loves company that’s why HD is trying to force its chipsets on unwilling customers you’ll notice SatRad isn’t doing the same they don’t need someone’s coat tails to ride on. If HD was worth a fuck it could stand on its own merits and you wouldn’t need to troll satellite blogs tilting at windmills. Testicle radio is facing a technological onslaught of media distribution methods that soon will have it reeling. Regardless of SatRads fate the thought of Testicle radio will become more and more quaint as time goes by. Clear Channel's stock has been historically at a high of $90, but has lost 2/3 of its value and most other major radio stocks have lost 90% and are in the penny-stock range.
FEE FM .......No wonder you guys dropped the “FREE FM” moniker!
“Another such conflict arises from the extra "free" programs available today. iBiquity is seeking FCC approval for "conditional access," that is, enabling the extra programs to be available only by paid subscription (on future models of HD Radio). NDS, a maker of digital media encryption technology, has a deal with iBiquity to provide HD Radio with an encrypted content-delivery system called RadioGuard.[40] NDS claims that RadioGuard will "provide additional revenue-generating possibilities." iBiquity has stated that RadioGuard will become a standard feature of the HD Radio system.These competing capabilities mean that purchasers of early models of HD Radio have no guarantees of continued broadcasts of either high-quality audio or extra channels. Audio quality will suffer as broadcasters decide to subdivide their streams into extra "HD-2" and "HD-3" channels. And if the extra channels become subscription channels, they will become invisible to older radios without RadioGuard (and to those unwilling to pay for them)”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Radio#Reduced_quality_concerns
"We conclude our examination of the remaining unknowns of IBOC with a look at RadioGuard, the conditional access system proposed by Ibiquity Digital for use on HD Radio subscription services, which if the FCC’s final IBOC rules permit, could be the primary mechanism for radio subscription service delivery".
http://www.rwonline.com/pages/s.0054/t.8141.html
What if I told you this merger would even benefit those people not subscribing to satellite radio? With only a satellite radio it will provide them far more content than they are currently offered and with no subscription fees. Who would oppose this merger? Yes, of course, those people who would lose a large percentage of their advertising revenue to the new competition.
I would also like to thank the National Association of Broadcasters along with C3SR for
for "fighting for the rights of subscribers in the merger approval process" and "fighting for consumer choice and the public interest." C3SR's latest filing with the FCC requesting the
Commission to initiate a proceeding to determine whether to revoke the licenses of both Sirius and XM is greatly appreciated by all satellite radio subscribers due to the obvious benefits to them. Thanks for standing up for us!
http://www.c3sr.org/news/C3sr/Redacted-Final.pdf
However, I would suggest that you mind your own business and start considering other streams of revenue and ways to reduce costs in your failing business model. I believe your budget is going to be getting strained very soon. It will not be long before AM/FM fades from our memories like VHF and UHF. I look forward to the day my infant son asks, "Daddy, what's the FM button do on this old radio?"
Thanks for all of those long commercial filled years, but you are no longer needed. Please go away.
Martin is gaming the options markets....time for Mel to stop thinking merger and start thinking buyout.
The analysis of this merger and the conditions surrounding it could have easily been completed by one person in 60 days. It is not a monopoly, so forget that line of reasoning. I would be surprised if this goes beyond June. It probably will not happen by the next FCC meeting which takes place June 12th. However it could come shortly after that.
Clearly there will be some concessions and clearly they will be allowed to merge. The trip to asia is irrelevant, Kevin Martin can Blackberry his vote just like the rest of the FCC members. The thing that amazes me is the fact that Martin repeatedly offers up decision dates that he doesn't follow through on. They just continue to drag their feet.
"The thing that amazes me is the fact that Martin repeatedly offers up decision dates that he doesn't follow through on"
As ridiculous as this whole ordeal has been, in fairness his other two 'dates' (the end of 2007 and the end of the last quarter) were estimates he gave while the FCC was still waiting on the DOJ. This end of June estimate is his first one where his organization is the only game in town involved and as a result it could be a little more realistic than the others.
NO! to "merge" I have a business trip and the satradio companies and their management games can wait till I crush their hopes and dreams of "merge" MONOPOLY. Good for consumers, good for the industry, bad for greedy and arrogant satradio management who want a final cash grab before they completely implode the entire satradio industry. Follow your prior agreements satradio. NO! "merge"
it would be a good opportunity for Martin to announce decision next week BEFORE his trip and then get out of town--He avoids the press, etc
Just wishful thinking on my part and since this FCC hasnt done anything that would make sense in the interest of the general public(and not the special interests), it probably wont happen
gary,
You mean a quick and final NO! "merge" MONOPOLY as Kevin boards the plane on his business trip? yeah that would finish off satradio's management teams dreams of a cash grab before the satradio industry implodes once and for all.
FEE FM, Dragging their Feet,
Try to find a clue and then come on back.
FEE FM, HD Radio is here and there is nothing your bias claims can do about it. Enjoy it's the future in radio technology.
ESPN Kicks Sports HD2 Programming Up a Notch
6.06.2008
ESPN is playing up its latest offering: programming content that HD-R stations can use on their multicast channels as well as on their main channels.
Tomorrow, June 7, ESPN launches the ESPN HD Radio Network and offers customizable sports content targeting the 1,700+ stations now broadcasting in HD-R. The launch coincides with the start of the UEFA Euro 2008 soccer tournament.
Unique to the ESPN HD Radio Network is an Internet/satellite-based delivery system that subscribing stations can use to customize and program their ESPN HD-R channels. Facility personnel can pre-program their stations on the Internet from the network content server. The server will also help HD-R stations data-cast clock and score information and other non-audio services.
The announcement emphasizes HD Radio technology and branding.
“These broadcasts will be available to any listener of an ESPN HD Radio FM affiliate who has an HD Radio receiver. ESPN Radio’s FM affiliates can take advantage of additional marquee and exclusive programming provided by ESPN, by airing these programs on their HD Radio HD2/HD3 multicast channels,” it stated.
The company’s Traug Keller added, “Euro 2008 on HD Radio multicast broadcasting is an opportunity to deliver world-class soccer to our ESPN Radio listeners while still providing regularly scheduled ESPN Radio programs on the main channel.”
Dragging their Feet,
YOU might think the FCC is taking too long, which proves you don't understand whats going on. There is a rule that they agreed to that they wouldn't merge. As for your argument they are will not be a monopoly IF a "merge" is allowed name the other company which will be using the public radio spectrum to provide consumers radio via satellite. Thats right there is none making the wanta "merge" between Sirius and xm a "merge" MONOPOLY. Going against the very FCC rules they agreed too not long ago to obtain operation licenses.
Learn the facts, the FCC is not to blame for the situation Sirius and xm have put themselves in.
The fact is a merger is needed not so much for Sirius but for XM.
Put the mandated radio in the market and XM looses subs.
The FCC knows the radios are in the market and what would happen if the FCC forced deployment of the radios.
At the time the mandate was put in place it was expected it would be good for the consumer because it would ccreate competition. That is not what happened.
It was not expected that Sirius would have no radios to sell for a year and a half.
Sirius needed to add more content than XM and XM just sat back wile Sirius did that.
XM from the start did not look at content as important just getting radios in cars was all they thought was needed.
Had the FCC forced deployment of the radios it would have done the opposite of what was intended by the mandate. So not forcing the mandate is in the best interest for XM subs.
Yes the dual radios are and have been in the market and if deployed Sirius and the Sirius stockholders would be very happy. Sirius stockholders should be rewarded for holding back so XM could survive. Sirius should not be paying for XM as if XM was a equal because they are not.
What i think happened is Sirius was about to deploy the radio mandate and XM ran to the FCC asking for protection.
Was the FCC wrong in not inforcing the merger? Should they have let XM go under?
I think they did the right thing but what is so wrong is how they are or should i say are not handling the merger.
John,
"the dual radios are and have been in the market"? They are? you are mistaken again with this claim.
You continue making excuses why FCC mandates were ignored by both Sirius and xm, and now you think the FCC should reward and bailout the satradio industry for piss poor management performance over the years? Award Sirius with xm, all of xm's radio spectrum (keeping a new competitor from entering the market)? Do you understand this would screw consumers twice? Not only would Sirius gain all of xm's radio spectrum (the public's) it would keep other choice from entering the market and raise prices for consumers.
The FCC works for the consumer, you think the consumer should get screwed since Sirius and xm want to "merge" MONOPOLY and Mel and Sirius and xm's management want a big pay off?
Wake up this "merge" is all about being pro-Sirus, pro-Mel, pro-xm and con-consumer.
John,
You also seem to be very confused that the government's job is to bailout xm, and that a "merger" aka MONOPOLY would do anything but screw consumers and hasten the entire demise of satradio.
i meant approve the merger with minimal concessions before he leaves for the trip
Na, if I were to give out the ruling before I go on my trip, I give a flat out REJECTION, NO!, 0.0 Chance. Although I'll give the same ruling when and if the FCC decides to give out the ruling after my trip, a flat out REJECTION, NO!, 0.0 Chance for "merge" MONOPOLY, flat out NO! chance for a final cash grab for satradio management. The satradio industry put themselves in this position they can try to get themselves out of this position.
(H)ardly (D)ifferent RADIO … More commercials coming up after this extended commercial break”. “And don’t forget to tune to H2 to learn how your favorite commercials are made” “Also don’t miss our new show on H3 “Who Gives A Sh*t”! where we will be talking about HD Radio and it’s Future. HD RADIO …. Commercials make it free and lots of commercials make us rich!
And coming to HD radio soon “CONDITIONAL ACCESS” with our new “RADIOGUARD” system we intend to turn FREE FM into FEE FM. If you loved our old tired programming and non-stop commercials we know you’ll love paying for the privilege And don’t worry all your old HD sets won’t work with our new system so you can buy a new radio too!
(H)igh (D)ollar radio,
How sad and desperate it must be when all you got is bias and BS against HD Radio.
Revised NRSC IBOC Standard Now Public
6.06.2008
The National Radio Systems Committee has published its updated IBOC technical standard.
As we’ve reported, NRSC-5-B specifies the requirements for broadcasting digital audio and ancillary data signals in the AM and FM radio bands. The NRSC last revised the standard in 2005 when it added the data requirements.
NRSC members described the most recent changes as minor when they voted on them at the recent 2008 NAB Show in Las Vegas; and NAB engineers wrote in their Radio TechCheck this week that “this latest version includes substantive (but relatively minor) changes as well as editorial revisions designed to make the document easier to understand and more complete. None of these changes are expected to cause any backwards compatibility issues with HD Radio receivers.”
The updated version makes clear that the system supports three distinct data services, and discusses spectral emission limits for both AM and FM IBOC.
For Revision B, the NRSC was chaired by Milford Smith of Greater Media; the DRB Subcommittee was co-chaired by Michael Bergman of Kenwood and Andy Laird of Journal Broadcasting; and the IBOC Standards Development Working Group was chaired by Dom Bordonaro of Cox Broadcasting.
Download the standard at www.nrscstandards.org/SG/NRSC-5-B.asp.
Nice try though....
HD Digital Radio • IT'S TIME TO UPGRADE!
HD Digital Radio. It's here. It's local. It's free. DISCOVER IT!
http://www.hdradio.com/
Mr. Martin this is you travel agent Lance at BangCockSuckers Tours we just wanted you to know your regular stable of man lovers are standing by to get you AIRTIGHT as soon as you land. Also just a reminder the optional stomach pump that cums with your room can only hold 12 gallons of jizz so you’ll need to have room service empty it often. And yes a proctologist is on call 24/7 in case that annoying rip in your sphincter acts up again. No one wants a repeat of the last time.
“BANGCOCKSUCKERS remember us for all your HOMOEROTIC travel needs”
Today’s HD Radio technology features include:
FM Multicasting – the ability to broadcast multiple program streams over a single FM frequency (e.g. 97.7-1, 97.7-2, etc.)
Static-free, crystal-clear reception
FM sounds as sensational as CDs
AM sounds as rich as analog FM stereo
A variety of “data services,” including text-based information – artist name, song title, weather alerts, school closings, etc. scrolled across your receiver display.
Digital broadcasts in the same frequencies as analog broadcasts; listeners do not need to learn a new station number and today’s stations remain at their current place on the dial
Local content
Free
---------
And this is just the beginning. New and innovative features are under development including:
Real-time traffic reports broadcast by local stations and visually displayed on a vehicle’s navigation system
Surround Sound
Store-and-Replay – Will allow listeners to rewind a song they just heard or record an entire program to play back at a more convenient listening time
On Demand Capabilities – Will give listeners instant access to news and information
“Buy” button – Will turn the radio into an interactive device for e-commerce, allowing for instant purchases of everything from concert tickets to advertised products.
HD Radio broadcasting is transforming the radio experience in ways never thought possible. For more information, visit www.HDRadio.com.
The Buzz About HD Radio Broadcasting
“In tests of all Seattle-area FM HD Radio stations using the Yamaha [RX-
V4600 receiver], the results were breathtaking.” – The New York Times
“The switch-over to digital on KNX-AM sounded as if someone who had been talking to me on a cellphone had walked into the room, in mid-sentence. In fact, the first time I heard it, the change was so dramatic I thought I had mistakenly switched the band to FM.” – Los Angeles Times
“When [we] stop at a traffic light, the static thickens. But after pushing a button on the radio, switching the 100.3 FM broadcast from analog to digital, the noise magically vanishes.” – USA Today
“The car radio switches from analog to digital and suddenly, all the static is gone. On WHUR-FM, Prince's singing takes on a striking new clarity. Over on AM, an even more dramatic transformation occurs …” – Washington Post
“Stations that verge on the unlistenable suddenly lose their pops and clicks [with HD Radio]; better stations whose fuzz and hiss you take for granted lose the chaff and gain more openness, as well as greater range between loud and soft tones.” – Forbes
“Switching over to conventional radio [from HD Radio] was like throwing a blanket over the speakers..." - U.S. News and World Report
“What changes in FM digital is the background noise - it totally disappears in HD … The one AM station I could receive in HD nearly knocked me off my chair. I was listening to a talk radio station and the voices just popped from the speakers. – MSNBC
“HD Radio offers super-clear sound on existing AM/FM channels (more than 700 stations are already digital).” -- Reader’s Digest on selecting HD Radio to it’s “America’s 100 Best” list for 2006
"You have to hear it to believe it. It’s that good." - Detroit Free Press
[Detroit multicast station] RIFF2, combines hip-hop, hard rock and alternative, formats that usually never mix. Such experiments are possible again, just as in the early '70s, during the heady, free-form days of underground radio. – Detroit News
“After a few minutes of listening [to HD Radio], we didn't want to go back to an analog broadcast … Don't be fooled by the small size of [the Boston Acoustics Recepter Radio HD]. It can fill a den or great room with crisp sound.” – Orlando Sentinel
"What's in store for consumers equipped with these new [HD Radio] receivers is nothing short of remarkable." - Ward's Auto World
“Amazing! The high frequencies came to life with detail and clarity. The monotone likeness of FM broadcasting was gone, giving my system life that it only displayed while playing CD’s. I then switched to AM and was even more blown away.” - Car Audio and Electronics
“The realism of more faithfully reproduced source material, including dynamic punch and clarity, is breathtaking on HD for anyone who appreciates good audio … Supplemental HD will be a big breath of clean, fresh air for the typical consumer who uses these services.” – Radio World
“[Hearing HD Radio] was like the first time I heard Album Rock on FM, which opened up a whole new listening experience." - Media Week
“… Barry White's unmistakable baritone is booming out of the speakers with a clarity, depth and presence previously unheard on FM radio. The guitars snap, the cheesy strings soar, the sound is wide and spatial [in HD Radio].” – Billboard
“The difference [between analog and HD Radio] was quite amazing. Suddenly all of the static and distortion associated with FM radio disappeared, and the sound was crystal clear. Even I – a nonaudiophile – could hear the improvement.” – PC World
“For radio to broadcast only in analog, it really puts us at a competitive disadvantage. Digital radio allows us to compete much more effectively with all the other media that's out there.” -- John Hogan, CEO of Clear Channel Radio (quoted by Dow Jones News Service)
“It [HD Radio] is uncanny when you press one of the radio presets and go from reasonable sound to really great sound.” – PC Magazine
My initial impressions were that I must have been listening to one of the music channels on my satellite receiver, because I was hearing no static or noise associated with AM/FM broadcasts … At last - a high resolution broadcast format free to the general public. – Audioholics.com
The [Yamaha] V4600's HD Radio performance exceeded our expectations … HD Radio sounds better than satellite radio, and it's free. – CNET
"HD Radio is about more than additional programming. We are discovering that HD radio is an entirely new radio art form." – Ben Roe, director of music, NPR (quoted by Billboard Radio Monitor)
"[HD Radio] will lead to the renaissance of radio this decade." - Greater Media president/COO Peter Smyth (quoted by Billboard)
"HD Radio is vital to the future of radio broadcasting. It will keep radio relevant, and you can't overstate how important that is to our medium." -- Caroline Beasely, chief financial officer for the Beasely Broadcast Group, (quoted by CNET)
LAME ATTEMPT AT REDIRECTION AC
None of your first generation radios employ “RadioGuard” Will the add on chip be free so people can pay for your service? What about multicast for first generation radios
Finally, regarding product availability, Ibiquity reports that software is complete and new HD Radio chips that include RadioGuard will be ready for implementation in receivers by later this year (2007). Some first-generation devices will require an add-on chip to provide the radio’s ID number, but it is expected that by mid-2008, most if not all HD Radio chips will simply include RadioGuard as standard — just as multicast was incorporated into all HD Radio receivers from the second generation onward.
http://www.rwonline.com/pages/s.0054/t.8141.html
LAME ATTEMPT AT REDIRECTION AC
None of your first generation radios employ “RadioGuard” Will the add on chip be free so people can pay for your service? What about multicast for first generation radios
Finally, regarding product availability, Ibiquity reports that software is complete and new HD Radio chips that include RadioGuard will be ready for implementation in receivers by later this year (2007). Some first-generation devices will require an add-on chip to provide the radio’s ID number, but it is expected that by mid-2008, most if not all HD Radio chips will simply include RadioGuard as standard — just as multicast was incorporated into all HD Radio receivers from the second generation onward.
http://www.rwonline.com/pages/s.0054/t.8141.html
HD Radio Criticisms
Awareness, expense, coverage
There is low awareness amongst consumers in the new Digital HD Radio. According to a survey dated August 8, 2007 by Bridge Ratings, when asked the question, "Would you buy an HD radio in the next two months?" only 1.0% responded "yes".[26] Some engineers have also expressed distrust or dislike of the new system.[27][28]
Unlike regular car radios, which come fitted as standard equipment with virtually all automobiles, HD Radio requires consumers to purchase a new radio costing just over $100. HD Radio tuners for the home cost $75 and up. As of November 2007, a stereo HD component that can be linked into an existing home stereo system, such as the Sangean HDT-1X, costs approximately $250 for the tuner alone, without its own amplifier or speakers. The very high cost of stereo HD units in comparison with regular radio receivers, possibly caused by the single source and proprietary nature of the iBiquity chipset, appears to have stalled consumer adoption in the United States.[citation needed]
Most of the first generation HD Radio tuners have been noted as being very insensitive, making reception problematic. In hybrid mode, the HD Radio signal is 1/100th the power of a station's analog signal. Due to its relative weakness, the HD Radio signal will sometimes drop out and the receiver will revert to analog mode. This can be especially problematic in fringe areas, where the digital signal may frequently be lost. If the listener is tuned to a secondary (HD2, HD3, etc.) channel, then any time the digital signal fades out, the sound will momentarily "blank out" until reception is restored. In addition it has been noted that the analog section of some tuners displays poor reception capabilities compared to older non-digital models.[29]
Proprietary & incompatible
HD Radio is a different digital broadcasting standard than those previously adopted by other countries. The lack of a common standard means that digital radios of one country may not work in another, and that manufacturers must develop separate products for different countries. As a result, costs are raised for both broadcasters and consumers. International standards that compete against HD Radio include the Eureka-147 Digital Audio Broadcasting ("DAB") system (see "Regional implementations of DAB" in Digital Audio Broadcasting), its newer variant "DAB+" (see "DAB+" in Digital Audio Broadcasting), and Digital Radio Mondiale, ("DRM", not related to Digital Rights Management). DAB (ratified by the ITU-R standardization body in 1994) has been selected for use by many countries on VHF and higher frequencies, where sufficient bandwidth may be allocated for high-quality sound on many program streams. DRM (ITU ratified April 2001) is, at least initially, intended for use at frequencies below 30 MHz, in traditional medium wave ("AM") and short wave bands. ETSI publishes the standards for DAB and DRM.
The HD Radio audio Codec, called "HDC", is incompatible with the DAB and DRM audio codecs, AAC and HE-AAC. Whereas the AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) family of codecs are publicly documented standards, and implemented on hundreds of diverse non-radio related devices and in computer software, the HDC codec exists only within the HD Radio system, and is an iBiquity trade secret.
Whereas DRM and DAB are controlled by non-profit consortiums with members from more than 30 countries, iBiquity ultimately has control over HD Radio receiver-manufacturer licensing[30] and broadcaster licensing. Unlike DRM and DAB, which are open specifications, iBiquity's HD Radio specification is partly open and partly secret.[31]
HD Radio has been officially adopted only by the U.S. and Brazil.[32] iBiquity has stated in PR articles that countries evaluating HD Radio include Canada, France, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Switzerland,[33] and Thailand.[30][32] Canada adopted the Eureka-147 DAB standard in the late 1990s,[34] but as of mid-2007 is exploring other options, including IBOC and DRM.[35] In late 2006, the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) proposed allowing HD Radio to enter Canada’s digital radio broadcasting arena. In its Public Notice CRTC 2006-160, the Commission said it would be prepared to authorize services using the IBOC/HD Radio technology for the AM and FM bands if the Canadian department of Industry authorizes it under the Radiocommunication Act. The CRTC added that “an expedited process would be adopted for stations that propose to transmit a digital simulcast of their analog service.”[36] However, a recent technical report from the Digital Radio Co-ordinating Group (DRCG) concluded, "Based on the evidence currently in hand, the DRCG considers that it would be risky for Canadian broadcasters to proceed at this time with an unrestricted roll-out of HD Radio services in the FM band, in the manner implemented in the US."[37] As of mid-2007, Switzerland has officially selected, or is also testing, the Digital Audio Broadcasting standard, and France has already chosen DAB. iBiquity and other sources do not explicitly state in published articles what technically comprises the "evaluation", whether there are ongoing or elapsed test transmissions, and the quantity or power of transmitters.
In 2007, CFRM-FM from Little Current, Ontario is believed to be one of the first radio stations in Canada to broadcast in HD Radio.[3]
In 2002, the U.S. FCC selected HD Radio as the U.S. digital radio broadcasting standard.[38], even though it had no provision for compatibility with the DAB or DRM standards, which had each already been ratified by the International Telecommunication Union. Unlike subscription-based satellite radio, the content of HD Radio stations is subject to FCC regulation
.
Reduced quality concerns
Promotion for HD Radio does not always make clear that some of its capabilities are mutually incompatible with other of its capabilities. For example, the FM system has been described as "CD quality." The FM system also allows multiplexing the data stream between two or more separate programs. However, a program utilizing one half or less of the data stream does not attain the higher audio quality of a single program allowed the full data stream. Indeed, the FCC "decline[d] to require broadcasters to dedicate a minimum level of digital bandwidth to provide a high quality digital signal," however "one free over-the-air digital stream [must be] of equal or greater quality than the station’s existing analog signal."[39] (If the FCC ever allows stations to discontinue analog simulcasting, each station will have over 300 kbit/s bandwidth available, allowing for CD or even Surround Sound-quality audio together with multiple sub-channels.)
Another such conflict arises from the extra "free" programs available today. iBiquity is seeking FCC approval for "conditional access," that is, enabling the extra programs to be available only by paid subscription (on future models of HD Radio). NDS, a maker of digital media encryption technology, has a deal with iBiquity to provide HD Radio with an encrypted content-delivery system called RadioGuard.[40] NDS claims that RadioGuard will "provide additional revenue-generating possibilities." iBiquity has stated that RadioGuard will become a standard feature of the HD Radio system.
These competing capabilities mean that purchasers of early models of HD Radio have no guarantees of continued broadcasts of either high-quality audio or extra channels. Audio quality will suffer as broadcasters decide to subdivide their streams into extra "HD-2" and "HD-3" channels. And if the extra channels become subscription channels, they will become invisible to older radios without RadioGuard (and to those unwilling to pay for them).
Reduced analog signal
Radio stations are licensed in the United States to broadcast at a specific effective radiated power level. Adding HD Radio to the modulation envelope reduces the amount of power available for the analog portion, though initially this will only be one percent of the signal power.
Emergency information
If the FCC ultimately approves digital-only channels, those channels will no longer provide emergency information (such as through the Emergency Alert System) on existing analog-only receivers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Radio#Criticisms
(H)ighly (D)angerous radio
PAY US OR DIE! If the FCC ultimately approves digital-only channels, those channels will no longer provide emergency information (such as through the Emergency Alert System) on existing analog-only receivers.
Radio stations are licensed in the United States to broadcast at a specific effective radiated power level. Adding HD Radio to the modulation envelope reduces the amount of power available for the analog portion, though initially this will only be one percent of the signal power. Testicle radio is now petitioning the FCC to raise this signal power to 10 %. So not only do you want to lower the number of analog emergency broadcast station available you want to further interfere with the ones that are left? What a bunch of GREEDY AMORAL DOUCHEBAGS!
(H)igh (D)ollar radio,
How sad and desperate it must be when all you got is bias and BS against HD Radio.
"PAY US OR DIE! If the FCC ultimately approves digital-only channels, those channels will no longer provide emergency information (such as through the Emergency Alert System) on existing analog-only receivers."
You mean in the case of digital tv which the FCC mandated already? "those channels will no longer provide emergency information (such as through the Emergency Alert System) on existing analog-only" TV's either yet that is not holding anything back. There was a solution to that, problem = solution.
HD Radio is the FCC standard for digital radio, it matters not if you personally like it or not because it IS the future of radio. Your personal desperate ignorance, bias and BS against HD Radio will not stop HD Radio.
I read about a new portable HD RADIO today It has a battery life of 2 hrs… 2 HOURS! I guess a small car battery and a backpack would make it practical ?!?! I use battery powered standard radios to repeat my satellite signal at work and the crappiest one last 30 hrs at full volume. I guess this is why HD is pushing for inclusion to SATRAD radios their power hungry addition would make the Stiletto 2 and Inno impossible.
Price freeze for 36 months.
15% of spectrum gone to the Negro Jackson and other handout motherfuckers.
Ala Carte
And this took 455 fucking days.
My life is devoted to seeing Martin fired.
ASSHAT HDTV IS AN FCC MANDATE Highly Dangerous radio is NOT! it is an OPTION ONLY with no set date of compleation! It will take decades if EVER for you standard to be country wide on the other hand after Feb. 2009 there will be no anolog TV signal PERIOD! Stop endangering the country you GREEDY DOUCHE!
How sad and desperate it must be when all you got is bias and BS against HD Radio. "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." -- Mark Twain
What generation sat radio are you comparing the yet to be released HD Radio to? Seems for a prototype Samsung is just about where the satradio portables were back then. Did you forget satradio technology is about 5 to 10 years older than HD Radio? Not sure about you but in the early days of satradio our receivers could easily double as small heaters and there is no way a battery op. portable would have been possible.
You'd be smart to take a breath and drop your sad and desperate bias and BS. The truth will set you free. Satradio and HD Radio product r&d and consumer count are 5 to 10 years apart BUT as HD Radio is just starting to show real progress the ignorant, bias HD Radio technology haters are getting very desperate and upset. Nothing else can explain the bias, BS and hatred of a technology standard. Its the same ignorance which makes them think spreading personal bias and BS could make a difference. ha ha ha
As with all HD Radio bias you (H)ighly (D)emanding Radio are DEBUNKED
"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." -- Mark Twain
Sirius Stiletto 2, ... Battery life: 4 hours live satellite
Until now, portable HD Radio receivers have been unavailable because the chipsets needed by this technology required too much power to be practical for a battery-operated device. However, in January 2008 at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas iBiquity unveiled a prototype of a new iPod-sized portable receiver. It is based on a new chipset developed by Samsung. Although portable, it is still a relatively power-hungry device (it will run out an average set of alkaline batteries in about two hours, according to an iBiquity engineer). But Samsung engineers at CES say a second-generation chipset due in 2009 will be about 40 percent more power efficient and then a third-generation chipset due about a year later will use even less energy. According to iBiquity, Sony and others have expressed an interest in using the first-generation chipset and that the first portable HD Radios could be on the retail market in the USA as early as Christmas 2008.
HD RADIO ….. More FREE commercials coming up after this….We’re the commercials of your life!!! HD RADIO… coming up after this extended commercial break on H3 It’s “The Who Gives A Sh*T Show”. Tonights topic: HD radio’s future FEE structure and how it will effect both of our listeners. W S U X ......HD RADIO !!!
ASSHAT HDTV IS AN FCC MANDATE Highly Dangerous radio is NOT! it is an OPTION ONLY with no set date of compleation! It will take decades if EVER for you standard to be country wide on the other hand after Feb. 2009 there will be no anolog TV signal PERIOD! Stop endangering the country you GREEDY DOUCHE!
Posted by: (H)ighly(D)anderous radio | June 7, 2008 9:43 PM
Going with PAY US OR DIE's IF. it's well known HD Radio is not a mandate to replace analog YET, but it might be in the future as the FCC's choice for digital radio in the US, and the choice in other countries too.
But what a nice rude, crude, childish, ignorant, and desperate post (H)ighly(D)anderous radio. Stuff like that should make you proud. No need to get upset at your bias and BS about HD Radio being shot down and DEBUNKED with every bias and BS post you make. That and I could really care less about your personal problems. Just setting the record straight when it comes to HD Radio, no bias, no BS, no personal issues with a technology standard. Grow up.
OH! So it only lasts 2 x as long and this is bad how? BYTE ME AC! That dosen’t change the fact that standard AM/FM has a power advantage that people actually want in their portable TESTICLE radio. They have yet to exhibit any desire for your power hungry bells and whistles. When people realize the difference in battery life it will be one more reason to pass on HDR. Don’t even try to compare Testicle radio to a pay service I get four hours of music ya DOUCHE. Portable HD Testicle radio offers me a meager hour and fifteen minutes of actual music in its two hour of play time. If I’m near a wi-fi spot my S2 battery power extends to 8 hours of MUSIC….. NO COMMERCIALS! That’s like 20 hours in Testicle radio time!
(H)ighly (D)emanding radio,
Again at least try to grow up and show some class. Your rude, crude and ignorant posts along with your desperate fear, bias and hate of the digital radio technology standard is bringing out your need to BS. That and The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report, MSNBC, Reader’s Digest, Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, Orlando Sentinel, Ward's Auto World, Car Audio and Electronics, Radio World, Media Week, Billboard, PC World, CEO of Clear Channel Radio, PC Magazine, Audioholics.com, CNET, NPR, Greater Media president/COO Peter Smyth and Caroline Beasely, chief financial officer for the Beasely Broadcast Group say you are WRONG about HD Radio and you are DEBUNKED.
Your BS posts might fool some but your bias BS posts will not fool all, and you will be called out and DEBUNKED.
(H)ighly (D)emanding radio, FEE FM, (H)igh (D)ollar radio, THE UNSHILLED TRUTH, PAY US OR DIE, (H)ighly (D)isruptive Radio, (H)ighly (D)emanding Radio, (H)ighly(D)anderous radio, HD RADIO... "It's The Commercials" aka pocketradio,
Your ignorant posts fool no one. The FCC has picked HD Radio as the future of radio, digital radio and there is nothing a nat like yourself can do about it. The industry has adopted HD Radio, the major media has reviewed it with mostly positive reviews.
Nice try though.... Don't think for a second I'm bringing you back anything from my business trip.
Oh PS LONG "LANCE" WANG, make sure your there too with plenty of lube.
HD Digital Radio • IT'S TIME TO UPGRADE!
HD Digital Radio. It's here. It's local. It's free. DISCOVER IT!
http://www.hdradio.com/
I had an HD Radio in my car as an add on to the stock sound system. It blew. It's now somewhere in the guts of my car disconnected and wasting away after I added a Pioneer AVIC-N3 about a year ago. It gets Sirius, XM and controls my iPod. Not to mention it has navigation with XM Nav Traffic. One thing it doesn't have...HD Radio. Which is good, because HD Radio sucks cock.
If "HD Radio sucks cock" then its certainly a technology for LONG "LANCE" WANG.
Thanks AC but these people have more creditability than a foul mouthed poster. Read and learn.
“In tests of all Seattle-area FM HD Radio stations using the Yamaha [RX-
V4600 receiver], the results were breathtaking.” – The New York Times
“The switch-over to digital on KNX-AM sounded as if someone who had been talking to me on a cellphone had walked into the room, in mid-sentence. In fact, the first time I heard it, the change was so dramatic I thought I had mistakenly switched the band to FM.” – Los Angeles Times
“When [we] stop at a traffic light, the static thickens. But after pushing a button on the radio, switching the 100.3 FM broadcast from analog to digital, the noise magically vanishes.” – USA Today
“The car radio switches from analog to digital and suddenly, all the static is gone. On WHUR-FM, Prince's singing takes on a striking new clarity. Over on AM, an even more dramatic transformation occurs …” – Washington Post
“Stations that verge on the unlistenable suddenly lose their pops and clicks [with HD Radio]; better stations whose fuzz and hiss you take for granted lose the chaff and gain more openness, as well as greater range between loud and soft tones.” – Forbes
“Switching over to conventional radio [from HD Radio] was like throwing a blanket over the speakers..." - U.S. News and World Report
“What changes in FM digital is the background noise - it totally disappears in HD … The one AM station I could receive in HD nearly knocked me off my chair. I was listening to a talk radio station and the voices just popped from the speakers. – MSNBC
“HD Radio offers super-clear sound on existing AM/FM channels (more than 700 stations are already digital).” -- Reader’s Digest on selecting HD Radio to it’s “America’s 100 Best” list for 2006
"You have to hear it to believe it. It’s that good." - Detroit Free Press
[Detroit multicast station] RIFF2, combines hip-hop, hard rock and alternative, formats that usually never mix. Such experiments are possible again, just as in the early '70s, during the heady, free-form days of underground radio. – Detroit News
“After a few minutes of listening [to HD Radio], we didn't want to go back to an analog broadcast … Don't be fooled by the small size of [the Boston Acoustics Recepter Radio HD]. It can fill a den or great room with crisp sound.” – Orlando Sentinel
"What's in store for consumers equipped with these new [HD Radio] receivers is nothing short of remarkable." - Ward's Auto World
“Amazing! The high frequencies came to life with detail and clarity. The monotone likeness of FM broadcasting was gone, giving my system life that it only displayed while playing CD’s. I then switched to AM and was even more blown away.” - Car Audio and Electronics
“The realism of more faithfully reproduced source material, including dynamic punch and clarity, is breathtaking on HD for anyone who appreciates good audio … Supplemental HD will be a big breath of clean, fresh air for the typical consumer who uses these services.” – Radio World
“[Hearing HD Radio] was like the first time I heard Album Rock on FM, which opened up a whole new listening experience." - Media Week
“… Barry White's unmistakable baritone is booming out of the speakers with a clarity, depth and presence previously unheard on FM radio. The guitars snap, the cheesy strings soar, the sound is wide and spatial [in HD Radio].” –