HD (aka IBOC) radio in the USA:

For the general public has to compete along with traditional analog
radio against
satellite radio, portable mp3 players, and Internet radio.

Automobile drivers have decided satellite wins hands down IF the
subscription price is not an issue for the listener.

MP3 players win for the rest.

IBOC in New York City Metro survives on a handful of AM stations,
many more on FM with multiple sub channels,
the FM sub channels being used to simulcast their AM sister stations,
ethnic or alternate programming.

Bottom line IMHO, its the programming content, not the technology that
is killing free radio.
It they had something on free radio that people wanted to listen to then
the technology would be embraced. Crap is crap no matter what you wrap
it in.

The rare BCB DXer or tech-know-geek is not in this horse race.
Hardware price is no longer an issue with so many fire sales on IBOC
enabled radios.

Steve
N2UBP