Open discussion...before the Congress, no less...about HD Radio's
opportunity for subscription radio. From the outset, this has been
discussed by Radio's higher echelons, and digital hardware
manufacturers, even before the formation of iBiquity. It has been
proffered by iBiquity brass, discussed among station General Manglers,
denied by many, but now it's out on the table for all to see.



From AllAccess.com



Sirius/XM On HD Radio: See? It's Competition!
The FCC decision underlines that HD Radio on the AM/FM bands provide a
real alternative to satellite ...
SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO and XM SATELLITE RADIO issued a joint statement
on the FCC's issuance of its final rules for HD RADIO, saying, "The FCC
decision underlines that HD RADIO on the AM/FM bands provides a real
alternative to satellite and that the current audio entertainment market
is broad, robust and competitive. The decision will raise competition to
a new level by stimulating the growth in HD RADIO stations (now 1,200),
enhancing its offerings to consumers and establishing a process for free
radio to offer a paid subscription service for the first time."

SIRIUS CEO MEL KARMAZIN has been raising HD RADIO and its capability for
subscription services as an example of the competition between
terrestrial and satellite radio, most recently at this week's Senate
antitrust panel.


What does this have to do with shortwave? Consider the number of SW
broadcasters who've left the air for internet distribution, or satellite
distribution--many not on Sirius or XM. And with DRM's spotty support
among broadcasters, the HD Radio decision is casting a forward shadow on
international broadcasting's future.

SW broadcasting is expensive, and profitless. Even the great
stations like WNYW, run by proven commercially successful broadcasters
like Bonneville couldn't make it work. However, with the spectre of
subscription radio now reaching the OTA marketplace, there may be
opportunity for SW broadcasters to finally recoup costs by charging a
subscription fee....for Satellite, Internet, AND radio access.

Meaning, you're entitled to only as much information as you PAY FOR.
And, that you pay for the propaganda you receive in the bargain.

Being a rampant capitalist and a strong proponent of the freemarket,
as well as being converative two steps to the right of Rush Limbaugh,
this even makes MY skin crawl.

There were some great PSA's in the 70's, about supporting free (free
and in content, not free as in cost) radio. And the message was most
effectively articulated by Roger Miller in one of these spots when he
said, 'no one has ever successfully taken over a country without first
taking over all the radio stations.'

Free information threatens to become a thing of the past.