On 07/01/2012 21:00, Steve Stone wrote:


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.

I agree to some extent. If the content is cr*p, then not many people
will want to listen to it.

However I don't agree that this is the only factor.
In fact I think the most important factor is that people are content
with what they can already get on FM, and although FM is not perfect, it
does at least work well enough the vast majority of the time.

Also, with digital radio, I do think that technical factors could affect
whether people listen. If the audio keeps cutting out, then that will
put a lot of people off. Also if the sound quality is very poor, then I
do believe that will put a fair number of people off.

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.

Except that vehicle manufacturers tend to want to fit the cheapest car
stereo they can get away with, and an ordinary AM/FM receiver, is still
cheaper than a digital radio.

Richard E.