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News From Audio Graphics:
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How to Save the HD Radio Industry |
It was stupid of me. I should have seen it coming when first putting out a prediction that internet radio would be rebroadcast on small and medium market stations in the not-too-distant future. At the time it made sense, but that was in 2002.
Please, let me reword that earlier prediction: Internet radio stations will be showing up as rebroadcasts on HD Radio side channels.
What's that? WOXY already has signed to do this?
Next, you'll be telling me that Soma.fm is leasing out one of its sub-channels as additional programming for NPR. Oh. It does?
Not that a trend can be made using two stations, but do you see one forming?
WOXY.com is the phoenix, a widely acclaimed station that crashed due to cost. Then, it resurfaced with backing from La La Media. Now, it's going to be an HD channel for Cincinnati Public Radio and WVXU.
Like I said, it was stupid of me not to see this coming. Or, that two industries could be so well suited to help each other out of problems.
Internet radio stations are what's going to save HD Radio!
There is a dire need for good HD Radio programming, and an uplift in its cool-factor. Millions of people are turning to independent internet radio stations, and many would like to hear them in their cars.
The broadcast radio industry wins cool-factor. Webcasters earn deserved respect and expanded distribution.
HD Radio's White Knight could very well be the closest thing to 'cool' that either radio industry has today - being an independent station on the internet.
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Comments may be published.
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From: Greg
Although streaming Internet Radio onto the HD channels is a good idea, what about
the Internet Royalty rates affecting Internet Radio and the HD streams? Since no one
is listening with HD radios, who is going to pay the outrageous fees,* especially when
there is no ad revenue from the HD channels ?
This is still radio-geeks talking to radio-geeks - the average consumer has moved onto
other entertainment mediums. Also, there will always be lousy reception with HD radios,
which is HD Radio's Achille's Heel. Interactive, personalized music services will
always be well-ahead of HD Radio.
*Publisher's Note:
This is an easy one. CRB rates are based on number of listeners per song.
If Internet Radio were to be played on HD stations, there's be no additional
listeners to pay for.
Kidding aside, as I understand it, HD radio pays the same BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC
royalties that broadcast radio pays. How to determine the number of listeners added to
the internet station's stream would need to be addressed when/if that bridge is crossed.
From: Dale S.
The sorry state of broadcast radio has devolved into what amounts to auditory abuse.
Even the once 'quality' FM broadcasts now sound no different than AM Radio. It's no
surprise that listeners are flocking to the internet to avoid the haranguing, obnoxious
ads (some of which I feel are bordering on harassment). I question the motive of the
broadcasters in their opposition to Internet based programming. Is fair compensation
to the artists anything more than a 'Red Herring' to deflect attention from the obscene
profits made from advertisers? Is it any surprise that listeners are quite willing to pay
a web-based station a small fee to enjoy the freedom of programming devoid of intrusive
advertising while experiencing the satisfaction of knowing that the most important people,
the artists, are being justly compensated?
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