HD Radio News and Information
About HD Radio News : HD Radio News Home : May 2006 : 2006-05-15 to 2006-05-21
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The good news: RadioShack jumps on the HD Radio Bandwagon May 15, 2006 09:27 |
In a recent joint announcement, the HD Digital Radio Alliance and RadioShack said that RadioShack will soon add HD Radios to its product mix in stores in several major cities. This will be the forerunner to a national roll-out later this year, the two corporations said.
The first wave of stores to carry HD Radios are about 100 of the company's stores in its home market of Dallas-Ft. Worth. In addition, they will be available in several dozen additional stores in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston and Washington.
The only radio to be carried in RadioShack stores at this point is the HD Recepter Radio from Boston Acoustics at $299.99. However, RadioShack has said that it intends to add RadioShack branded receivers in September.
The not-so-good news
The not-so-good-news for us HD Radio fans comes from Clear Channel's top exec Mark Mays who says he expects HD Radio to really take off as soon as the price of a receiver drops below $100 (well, duh). Unfortunately, he doesn't see that happening for at least a year. "All you have to do is get the price point down to $99," Mays said. " Once you dip below the $100 price point, boom. I'd expect to see a $99 HD receiver in 12 to 18 months," said Mays. Twelve to 18 months? Hmm. We had certainly hoped to see this happen a lot sooner.
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Notable and Quotable May 19, 2006 08:46 |
In case you're wondering what else is being reported about HD Radio (besides on this blog), here is a sampling of what others have said recently.
FMQ Online
"Meanwhile, other localized retailers (besides RadioShack) are also launching HD Radio marketing campaigns. Tri-state area retailers Harvey and Electronics Expo plan to offer HD Digital Radios in their stores and will launch aggressive marketing campaigns beginning today. Both retailers will roll out programs similar to those launched by ABC Warehouse, Tweeter and Crutchfield.com last month."
Audio Graphics
"Does the HD Radio industry stand a chance of capturing ears against all the powerful marketing machines that it faces? Will competitors fit better within the lifestyles of HD's potential audience? ... As HD Radio finally gets its foot into the retail door, how well is it positioned against the competition? My Grade: C.
The Washington Post
"Seeing this technology inch its way into the market is getting to be as frustrating as trying to find some originality on your FM dial. If you value what HD radio can do for the public airwaves, you have to hope iBiquity's forecast comes true this time."
Reuters
""We're looking for opportunities to get as many HD receivers out there as possible," said Mays (Mark Mays, Chief Executive, Clear Channel), adding that prices on them could fall below $100 as soon as a year from now. All you have to do is get the price point down to $99. Once you dip below the $100 price point, boom. I'd expect to see a $99 HD receiver in 12 to 18 months," said Mays." (Go to URL)
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