Can HD Radio Continue To Grow Listeners

About four years since the first HD radios were sold to the marketplace, the new digital radio service hasn't gained strong traction with consumers, but acceptance does continue to grow. For one thing, the HD Radio signal can be heard only through special digital radio receivers. Prices start around $70. And not all of the nation's radio stations offer what are extra HD-2 or HD-3 channels, called multi channels, with programming that often is not much different from what analog radio broadcasters play on their primary frequencies. Moreover, reviews show that the digital radio signal typically always doesn't reach as far as the same station's analog signal, so in some cities, a review will show that the new signal goes and comes as listeners drive around town.

Ibiquity Digital Corp., the company that crerated, founded, develops, and licenses HD Radio technology says that these drawbacks are temporary. They points to continued improvements, such as steadily decreasing prices for HD radios, along with some innovative programming on HD radio stations. Over 600,000 HD radios are expected to sell this year.

Of over 13,000 radio stations that are spread throughout the country, over 1,800 are now broadcasting digitally. And of those, almost 1000 900 are offering extra HD-2 or HD-3 stations. Over 80% of the American populations lives in an area where they can hear at least one digital HD radio station, Ibiquity says. Over 100 different radio models will be for sale in stores this holiday season, which is up from just 30 last year, according to Ibiquity

Consumer Reports also has reviewed HD Radio, and they show the quality is better. More.

So while the growth of HD Radio hasn’t been what some expected, it does continue to trend upwards, and many experts say it is just a matter of time before digital radio is the standard radio.

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