[EAS] HD developer proposal for EAS

[tpt at sevenrangesradio.com]

I own three stations in a small market. If you look at markets where HD is grabbing some shares--you will find the HD2 signal is on a translator.

There is no significant advantage for me to spend my money on HD. Does not provide any competitive advantage against the 12 other signals my sole metro station competes against. From an emergency perspective, I have both studios and two of three transmitter sites on generator.  The money to add HD would be better spent on a generator for that third transmitter site--especially since there are 4 translators for AM stations at that same site. (Although only my station has an emergency generator at the studio--and this includes the local AM/FM relay for the statewide EAS).

FM--in the 70's--added new programming to markets then dominated by a handful of AM stations. HD is additive to already mature markets. There is not enough added value to the audiences to drive any significant growth. From a programming standpoint, in smaller markets formats are "merging"--oldies moving into AC territory, CHR not significantly different from hot AC. With "bro" country, classic country, and regular country-how many country stations can the market support.  Little edge for an HD2 signal--even if a translator can be found?

Again--HD is a solution in search of a problem. EAS on HD?  Makes more sense to find spectrum in the FM band for NWS radio--and use that for expanded EAS.