Digital Radio

UBC Media to Launch Song Downloads for U.K. Digital Radio in 2007

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 27, 2006 - 1:57pm.

London - U.K. digital radio firm UBC Media announced on Monday that it plans to launch a nationwide service that lets users download songs they hear on digital radio stations in the U.K.

85 Public Radio Stations Awarded $7.74 Million for Digital Transition

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 24, 2006 - 7:06pm.

Washington - The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announced on Thursday that it has awarded $7.74 million in new grants to 85 public radio stations transitioning to digital broadcasting technology.

HD Digital Radio Alliance Ups HD2 Multicast Station Offerings

Authored by Robert Spears on April 24, 2006 - 7:19pm.

Orlando, Fla. - The HD Digital Radio Alliance, a trade group of broadcasters looking to accelerate the rollout of the digital radio broadcasting format, said on Monday that new HD2 multicast programming is set to launch in 22 additional markets. HD2 multicasts -- essentially additional radio channels offered by a radio station through digital technology -- will now be offered in 50 markets, making for a total of some 450 available multicast channels.

Google to Acquire Digital Radio Developer dMarc for $102 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 17, 2006 - 3:03am.

Mountain View, Calif. - Looking to expand its targeted advertising platform to other forms of media, Google, said on Tuesday that it will acquire dMarc Broadcasting, a Newport Beach, Calif.-based provider of digital technology for the radio broadcast industry. Under the deal, Google will make an initial upfront payment of $102 million in cash, and could end up paying as much as $1.1 billion over the next three years, based on dMarc's ability to reach certain product integration, revenue and advertising inventory targets. Google said that it plans to integrate dMarc's technology into its AdWords platform, creating a new radio ad distribution channel for the company's advertisers. The technology is designed to automatically schedule and place advertising on radio stations through an automated platform.

tags: Radio | Google | Digital Radio | dMarc |

Report: Worldwide Digital Radio Shipments to Hit 22 Million in 2009

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 9, 2006 - 5:11am.

Scottsdale, Ariz. - Worldwide shipments of digital radios, both for satellite and terrestrial services like HD Radio, are projected to grow from 5 million units in 2004 to 22 million units in 2009, according to a report from market research firm In-Stat. Driving growth in this market will be eroding prices for digital radios, partnerships between radio makers and car manufacturers, and new and compelling content and data services, In-Stat said. Satellite radio subscribers in the U.S. now number more than 9 million, while some 600 U.S. radio stations are now broadcasting in the digital HD Radio format. "In the U.S., satellite radio is driving the digital radio market," said In-Stat analyst Stephanie Guza. "In other markets, most notably in the U.K., terrestrial digital audio broadcasting is driving it. The launch of Digital Multimedia Broadcast (DMB) services in Japan and Korea, along with increased promotional activity in Singapore, Australia and Taiwan over the next year, will drive digital radio shipments in Asia."

tags: Reports | Digital Radio | Worldwide | Shipments |

Digital Radio Developer iBiquity Gets Funding From Intel Capital

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 21, 2005 - 2:55am.

Columbia, Md. - IBiquity Digital, a developer of digital radio broadcasting technology, announced on Monday that it has received an undisclosed investment from Intel Capital. Founded in 1998, Maryland-based iBiquity has to date raised over $145 million in financial backing for its HD Radio technology, which allows radio stations to transmit a digital signal alongside their analog broadcasts. Over 500 U.S. stations are now broadcasting using HD Radio, and radio firms including Clear Channel and Infinity Broadcasting have committed to using the technology. The company said it would use the funds to accelerate the roll-out of commercial HD Radio receivers, as well as for development of portable receivers -- especially HD Radio for cell phones and digital media players.

tags: IBiquity | Digital Radio | Intel | Fund |

Digital Radio Broadcast Developer iBiquity Lands $30 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 17, 2005 - 5:15am.

Columbia, Md. -- iBiquity Digital, a developer of digital radio broadcast technology, said on Thursday that it has landed $30 million in its third round. Previous investors New Venture Partners, Grotech Capital Group, J.P. Morgan Partners, Gannett and Pequot Capital co-led the round, which also included participation from Waller-Sutton Media Partners, Whitney & Co. and MidOcean Capital Partners. In addition, Maryland-based iBiquity said that it has signed a deal to receive up to $30 million more in structured debt financing from DC private equity firm Columbia Partners. The influx of capital gives the company a huge financial boost as it continues to roll out its HD Radio technology, which allows terrestrial radio stations to broadcast a digital signal alongside their traditional analog signals. In recent months, iBiquity has received commitments to deploy the technology -- which digitizes standard AM and FM signals to enable better sound quality and new wireless data services -- at 2,500 radio stations in the U.S.

tags: IBiquity | Digital Radio | Broadcast |

Clear Channel to Spend $100 Million on Digital Radio Transition

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on July 22, 2004 - 4:49am.

San Antonio -- Radio giant Clear Channel announced on Thursday the launch of an advanced technology initiative, with plans to install digital broadcasting technology in 95% of its top 100 markets in the next three years. Clear Channel Radio CEO John Hogan told The New York Times on Thursday that the company will spend $100 million over the next decade on advanced technologies, and equip 100 stations for digital in the next year. The company named Kevin Lockhart to the new position of senior vice president of technology development for Clear Channel Radio. "Digital radio is a transforming application and Clear Channel Radio is committed to passing on its benefits to our listeners," said Lockhart. "The ability to deliver radically improved, CD-quality radio programming and reception, along with data and related services, is a powerful advantage for the radio industry and an important advance for listeners."

tags: Clear Channel | Digital Radio | TransitionSan Antonio -- Radio giant Clear Channel announced on Thursd |

RIAA Lobbies for Copy-Protection for Digital Radio

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 10, 2004 - 10:38am.

Washington -- The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is actively lobbying for copyright protection to be added to the medium of digital radio, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The RIAA has argued for anti-piracy measures "in documents and meetings at the FCC and in communications with other industry trade groups," and planned to make the issue a focus of a Congressional hearing on digital copyrights that was postponed this week due to the Reagan funeral. So far, only about 100 U.S. radio stations have adopted iBiquity Digital's HD Radio technology, which allows traditional stations to transmit a digital signal alongside their traditional analog signals. "We're in favor of HD radio," RIAA CEO Mitch Bainwol told THR. "It offers great benefits for consumers and everyone involved, but we're not blind to several concerns. Someone could cherry-pick songs off a broadcast and fill up a personal library and then post it on Kazaa." Consumer electronics firms and broadcasters say the RIAA is exaggerating the potential for digital radio piracy. "They've sold a half-million digital radios in Great Britain over the past five years, and this problem hasn't come up," Consumer Electronics Association vice president Michael Petricone told THR. "It's premature to ask the FCC for restrictions on devices for a problem that might not exist."

tags: Digital Radio | RIAA | Copy-Protection |

FCC Seeks Comments on Rules Governing Digital Radio Broadcasting

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 19, 2004 - 4:33am.

Washington -- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that it is seeking industry comment on proposed changes to its rules, in order to advance the adoption of digital radio broadcasting technology. The FCC has approved IBiquity Digital's digital broadcast technology, and that company's HD Radio solution has now been implemented by over 100 stations -- allowing broadcasters to send a wireless data feed as well as a crisper digital signal alongside their traditional analog signals. The FCC is seeking comment on, among other things, how its public interest requirements should apply to digital radio; whether stations should be able to offer a high-definition service, a multiplexed service, a datacasting service, or a combination; digital radio's impact on noncommercial and low power stations; and how the regulatory body should go about encouraging stations to transition to digital.

tags: Digital Radio | FCC | Governing | Broadcasting |