HD radio a possible competitor to satellite
600 stations already broadcast in HD and 3,000 more have plans to join in the near future, yet almost nobody has heard of “HD radio.” What is it and how does it compare to satellite radio?
Unlike satellite radio, it is not a subscription service. It is an improvement on terrestrial radio with improved sound quality: no more annoying crackle, deeper levels to the music. HD stations are broadcasted along side of, or on top of, existing radio frequencies. Radio stations accomplish this with a special digital transmission system that allows them to layer up to eight different channels on top of one another on the same frequency, sort of like multiple tenants in the same apartment building. The various channels can have the same content or broadcast completely different formats.
Radio listeners don’t have to pay extra to get HD radio, but they do need a new receiver, which are few and far between. They’re not available at most electronics stores, only online. And then, they range from $250-1,000. HD receivers are available as options in some high-end cars, but more offer XM or Sirius receivers.
But the main reason that most people switch to satellite radio isn’t sound quality, but content. Satellite radio offers commercial-free music and more variety in their playlists. As far as I can tell, HD radio is just better sounding, and does not offer superior content.
Prognosis: Music aficionados may adopt HD radio as they become more widely available and less expensive; however, I predict that this would be a choice over plain-old radio, not satellite. Most satellite radio subscribers also own at least one terrestrial radio receiver, so why not make it an HD?
