On 10 Jul 2004 04:09:49 GMT, wrote:

IBOC blows! It's NAB's answer to satellite radio. IT AINT GOING TO WORK. XM
& Siruis are kicking your ass with local weather and traffic offerings. So
called "FREE" radio is exactly what you get for your money.

I always thought "kicking ass" meant you were a leader in a market.
Since both XM and SIRIUS combined have fewer subscribers than most
major market stations have listeners I don't see how "kicking ass"
applies here. Especially since the 2.6 million total subscribers are
spread over more than 200 channels. That would leave 130,000 listeners
per channel if all had equal audiences. The traffic and weather
channels would further reduce the number of listeners because they're
specific to fewer than 25 markets. I believe there's only one market
in all of New England (Boston) that's covered by their traffic
services. The rest of us have no option other than terrestrial radio.

I also doubt a full-time traffic and weather station would be
economically viable even in New York or Los Angeles.

CBS/Infinity/Viacom has it's head squarely up it's ass. At least
Clearchannel has the smarts to get involved in satellite delivery, Mel
Karmazin was a complete joke! turning his back on the newest form of
broadcasting,AND forbidding streaming audio from ANY CBS stations.

Clear Channel has significantly reduced its interest in XM and
Infinity is doing very well without the tiny, unsalable streaming
audience. Local advertisers don't care about coverage in Bombay and
the same products have different names in different countries. It also
makes an advertiser's desire to black out certain markets where
advertised sales are not happening impossible unless the station uses
a commerial insertion service to avoid streaming spots where agencies
haven't paid the talent for use in outside markets or for streaming in
their home market.

I'm sure Mel Karmazin is sobbing uncontrollably knowing you don't
approve of his business strategies. I'm also sure his and Viacom's
bank accounts will show he's been pretty effective.

I think you just like satellite radio and are giving it much more
influence than it really has. Reports of radio's death and the
influence of satellite radio are greatly exaggerated, at least at this
point in time.

I have both XM and SIRIUS. 4 subscriptions total. I live in New
England and have serious (no pun) problems with dropouts because many
roads are covered by overhanging trees and there are no repeaters in
the area. I also lose GPS signals. The other night I was driving in
the country in a torrential downpour. I lost all satellite signals.
Wet leaves are even worse. The radio goes dead silent every 30 seconds
or so, depending on the foliage.

Rich