"Prometheus" wrote in message
...
In article , Walt Davidson
writes
On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 20:19:30 GMT, "Aztech" wrote:

Of course that reasoning also renders Worldspace redundant.

Worldspace rendered itself redundant the day it started charging a
subscription for its services. How many of the population in
undeveloped third world countries are going to pay $$$ to listen to a
handful of foreign radio stations?

Probably enough skilled people living and working in the capital cities
often for foreign companies on foreign salaries. It's the people outside
this category who can not afford it, but since they did not pay before
what have Worldspace lost? You also need to consider how many people in a
third world country could afford to buy a ~100 GBP radio.

--
Ian G8ILZ

Of course poor people will not buy 100 GBP radios, or even $100 radios. And
they certainly won't be able to justify a regular subscription.

I don't think anyone is expecting the 'huddled masses' to be amongst the
first purchasers of DRM radios.

But as with all new technology the price comes down rapidly. My DAB tuner
cost me GBP 350 3 years ago - I saw a DAB radio in the supermarket tonight
for GBP 49, and a DVB adapter for GBP 25. You'd be lucky to get an analogue
SW receiver for GBP 25.

From the examples I have heard DRM is a step change in reception for
international broadcasting and, eventually, LF & MF broadcasting. If you
want any form of viable broadcasting to remain in these bands DRM is
certainly a better option than the status quo which will continue to
dwindle.