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[Monday at NAB]
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HD Radio: Hefty Discounts Coming
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by Leslie Stimson,
~ April 14, 2008
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RADIO WORLD
On Sunday the NAB unveiled the results of an unprecedented partnership with iBiquity Digital Corp. and four broadcast equipment manufacturers to accelerate the commercial development of products based on next-generation HD Radio “exporter” technology.
The products, which significantly reduce a radio station’s cost to upgrade to HD Radio, are being introduced and made available for purchase during the NAB Show.
“NAB is playing a critical role in the creation of new technologies to benefit our members and promote the future of broadcasting,” said NAB President/CEO David K. Rehr. “This is just one example of how we’re fulfilling our advocacy promise to broadcasters.”
FOUR MANUFACTURERS
HD Radio stations use the exporter to combine multicast audio channels and advanced data services along with a station’s main audio channel into a format suitable for transmission. NAB and iBiquity, the developer of HD Radio digital broadcasting, worked with four manufacturers — BE, Continental, Harris and Nautel — to accelerate the development and implementation of this next-generation technology. Known as an “embedded exporter,” the technology further reduces the size and cost of HD Radio transmission facilities.
The project began in 2006, and the newly formed NAB HD Radio Technology Advancement Task Force was charged with overseeing the effort, culminating in Sunday’s announcement. Rehr said NAB has invested more than $1 million dollars in the effort.
Task Force Chair and Beasley Broadcast Group Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Caroline Beasley said, “NAB is putting its money where its mouth is when encouraging stations to broadcast in digital. This new technology will give a big boost to the advancement of HD Radio, which ultimately means more choices and better sound quality for our listeners.”
Steve Newberry, vice chair of the NAB Radio Board and president and CEO of Commonwealth Broadcasting, said, “Working with iBiquity Digital, we set out to significantly lower the cost of transmitting in digital. First-generation exporters have been cost-prohibitive up until now. This new technology makes it possible to build a less expensive exporter.”
After the transmitter, the exporter is the second-most-expensive piece of equipment in the IBOC air chain, according to the four manufacturers who have developed the new product and attended the press event.
The nearly two-year effort to reduce the implementation costs for medium- and small-market stations has resulted in savings of some $10,000 off of a digital system for a typical conversion package, they said.
Because of NAB’s contribution to this effort, NAB members receive an additional discount on these already cost-reduced products. All four manufacturers are displaying, and offering for sale, products incorporating embedded exporter technology at the 2008 NAB Show.
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