iBiquity gets an A+ for effort but a D for results in its long journey to make HD Radio relevant. They continue to experiment with new HD models and will continue to do so well into 2011 but it might be too late to make an impact. Most major radio companies and many auto manufacturers have been doing iBiquity's bidding, but so far the results are just not there. And iBiquity continues to spend tons of advertising money to produce results. The HD Digital Radio Alliance aired 20,413 commercials just last week encouraging listeners to upgrade to an HD Radio but the effort doesn't seem to be resonating in the radio industry, according to a new poll...
Inside Radio conducted an "unscientific survey" in which more than six-in-ten (62%) respondents indicated that they don't own an HD receiver. Thirty-eight percent (38%) do own an HD Radio - a higher ownership figure than the general population. Among those who do own an HD Radio, nearly one-quarter (23%) said it was an at-home radio. Nearly one-in-five (18%) use one in their office, while 15% have an HD Radio in their car and 13% own a portable device such as Zune HD. One respondent says "The audio on HD Radio is so much better than regular FM and the highly compressed audio on satellite radio." Another respondent says "Content is king. If your market has interesting stations, it's a great device." Still another respondent has "a couple at home and few sprinkled around my radio group. Usually the analog tuners in these things are great." But there are plenty of HD critics with complaints ranging from "Have not been able to receive HD content" to "I try to listen, but the signals are unreliable." ...
One advantage iBiquity might have is not requiring radio stations to buy their product. Rick Greenhut, Director of U.S. Broadcast Sales, says "The station doesn't write a check. It runs commercials. We've taken barter to the next step." In some cases, a station may choose to use a finance company to pay the equipment supplier so an HD Radio transmitter can be built and shipped quickly. As long as the ads air, Citadel will pay the equipment manufacturers and iBiquity the necessary hardware and licensing costs to convert or upgrade the stations involved, even if they're not the stations where the ads aired. Citadel Media handles the paperwork necessary for the ad agencies to prove the spots aired per the contract. It would be interesting to know what Citadel did to get that plum assignment...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1863] Four Score, for sure: President Abraham Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address as he dedicates a national cemetery at the Civil War battlefield in Pennsylvania (11/19)…
2.1877] Talking Machine: Thomas A. Edison announces the invention of the phonograph or as he calls it, his “talking machine.” (11/21)…
3.1959] Rama Lama Ding Dong: The Ford Motor Company halts production of the Edsel (11/19)…
4.1960] Knocked into Monday: Frank Gifford is leveled by the Eagles Chuck Bednarik in a blind-sided hit that will wind up ending the career of the Giants star running back. The Eagles clinch the Eastern Conference title. As a reward Gifford will wind up with Kathie Lee (11/20)…
5.1966] Hanging them up: Future Hall of Fame pitcher, Sandy Koufax announces his retirement from baseball, one month shy of his 32nd birthday, due to arm problems. Koufax simply dominated his era (11/19)…
6.1982] Youngest SNL host: That would be 7-year old Drew Barrymore who also made an appearance that year on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show (11/20)…
7.1987] Wedding Bells: Demi Moore and Bruce Willis rock down the aisle. They divorce in 2000 when Demi discovers where Ashton Kutcher lives. She robs his cradle in 2005 (11/21)…
8.1994] Rock and Roll transplant: David Crosby receives a liver transplant (11/20)…
9.1998] A Starr is born: Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr lays out his evidence against President Bill Clinton during a daylong appearance before the House Judiciary Committee (11/19)…
10.2004] Fight Night: In one of sports ugliest scenes, a fight breaks out on the floor, Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson of the Pacers charge into the stands and fight with fans during an NBA game in Detroit. Officials end the Pacers’ 97-82 win with 45.9 ticks left. Fines and suspensions follow. Fan John Green who tossed his drink at Artest, was banned for life in Detroit and hefty fines are levied at Artest, Jackson and others (11/19)…
Music Memories:
- 1959] Number One on this date: "Mr. Blue" - Fleetwoods (11/19)...1969] "Wedding Bell Blues" - Fifth Dimension (11/19)...
- 1962] Released on this date: "Big Girls Don't Cry" (11/20) - Four Seasons...
1968] "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" - Supes & Temps (11/21)...1995] "The Beatles Anthology I" (11/21) which sets a first-day sales record of 450,000 units. It contained the new song, "Free As A Bird"...
Tribute: Congratulations to Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff for having a street in Philadelphia's Center City, named after them on the eve of the 40th anniversary (2011) of Philadelphia International Records. Thanks to Sparkie Martin for the story. Here's the piece that Channel 6 (ABC) used in covering the tribute...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": (11/19) Savion Glover (37), Jodie Foster (48), Meg Ryan (49), Ann Curry (54), Calvin Klein (68), Garrick Utley (71), Ted Turner (72), Dick Cavett (74), Larry King (77) and Alan Young (91)...(11/20) J.D. Drew (35), Bo Derek (54), Joe Walsh (63), Judy Woodruff (64), Veronica Hamel (67), VP Joe Biden (68), Norman Greenbaum (68), Dick Smothers (71), Richard Dawson (78), Estelle Parsons (83) & Kaye Ballard (85)...(11/21) Michael Strahan (39), Nicollette Sheridan (47), Lorna Luft (58), Livingston Taylor (60), Goldie Hawn (65), Earl Monroe (66), Dr. John (70), Marlo Thomas (73) and Stan Musial (90)...
Timeline Countdown: 6 days until Thanksgiving, 12 days until Hanukah, 32 days until winter and 35 shopping days until Christmas...
