[BC] Uselessness of HD

[Urban, Brian L]

Mike 

Good questions all.  I can answer the PPM one for you.

If the market is PPM encoded, each program stream is encoded separately.
Analog FM has an encoder, HD1 (analog mirror) has an encoder, HD2 has an
encoder, HD3 has an encoder.  Each webstream has an encoder.  Each encoder
has a backup that can be switched into the chain.  Then there is a
confidence monitor for each encoded stream.  In my case, that's 21 pieces
of PPM gear.  Makes for a very crowded rack room.

The questions I cannot answer is why anyone puts any money into HD Radio
(TM)  All your points are valid--no spots, no revenue, and it pulls
listeners away from the main revenue stream.  For commercial stations I
see absolutely no value to HD Radio (TM).  In our case, as an NPR
affiliate, we have more programming available than we have hours to air.
We put some of that programming on HD2 and it actually does occasionally
generate PPM numbers.  Since our revenue model doesn't rely exclusively on
spots, it sort of makes sense.  We don't pitch the HD channels during
pledge though so how much revenue they actually generate is unknown.

We run an HD3 all jazz format (the only jazz in central Texas) and it also
occasionally generates PPM numbers. Again, revenue from that stream is
unknown.  

So the reason for HD Radio (TM)?  Bragging rights??

-- 
Brian Urban
Chief Operator
KUT Radio
TEL 512-471-1085

Many journalists have fallen for the conspiracy theory of government. I do
assure you that they would produce more accurate work if they adhered to
the cock-up theory.
<Sir Bernard Ingham

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Vanhooser <novaelec at sbcglobal.net>

To start another discussion, let me throw a monkey wrench in here.

I recently got an HD radio for my  car (birthday present, I wouldn't have
spent money on one), and checked out what was on the other channels
(Dallas/Ft. Worth market).  I found a great "station" on 100.3 HD-2,
called "The Strip" (Rat-Pack and classic Vegas sounds).  I enjoy the
format and listen to it regularly, but it brought up a glaring problem (at
least to my thinking).  I do enjoy the fact there are no freaking spots,
but the problem is that there are no freaking spots.  I would listen and
possibly patronize the sponsors, but since there are none, I can't.  So
that brings me to the problem... what is the use for this waste of
electricity?  It clearly is pulling me away from other stations on the
dial, which do run spots, and are the reason for the station's existence.
If this is being encoded for PPM (I have no idea if sub-channels are), it
is giving a false indication if it is tied to counting 100.3's main
channel.  What is on 100.3's main channel?  I haven't a clue,!
  I've never listened to it, and if I was logged as a listener, sponsors
should be irate, as a non-listener to their spots was recorded.

I'm not against HD sub-channels, I think they're pretty cool, I'm just
wondering what's the point?  This is clearly an expense, not only in
building an HD facility, but man-hours in programming, royalty fees, and
maintenance.  Why would any bottom-line-conscious GM expend a penny on
something so worthless?  Maybe there's something here I'm missing, but I
don't think so.  Enlighten me, why are these channels here if they
generate no revenue and diminish the real station's listenership?  I guess
I've spent too many years in AM.