[BC] Fwd: [TZ] Empirical Data... HD

[Rich Wood]

Michael Bergman wrote in Tech-Zone:

>I can say that this is not true.  Our sales team works with BB corporate,
>which is a better source than the staff of a single store.  I expect that
>there is still some confusion about in-dash h/u and black box tuners.

It's the second time I've heard that the tuners were not selling and 
had been returned after significant price reductions had not moved 
the product.

>The in-dash units are not HD receivers; they are controllers for the black
>box.  These in-dash units also handle CD/MP3/WMA, as well as AM/FM.

He was not confused. I posed as a customer and the information he 
gave me about the headend was correct. He informed me that I would 
need a separate tuner to receive HD Radio. He said they had them for 
a while. None sold and they no longer carry them. I'm not sure why a 
salesman would tell me that they won't carry a $400 product that 
would possibly have sold a $250 headend. He also told me I'd need a 
SIRIUS or XM black box at $99 each.

>Regarding CC and Tweeter, neither carries Kenwood
>products in general, and the major broadcasters haven't started their big
>on-air push to build consumer awareness.

The auto manager of Tweeter told me the only HD radio they sell is a 
$1400 Alpine with the tuner built in. The Boston Acoustics will not 
be stocked. Special order only.

Most broadcasters on this list will probably chuckle or double over 
with laughter at the thought of a promotional effort for HD. 
Announcing that you're broadcasting HD isn't enough. For an industry 
that relies on advertising for its existence there are very few who 
do any outside advertising except at important survey times. There's 
rarely an ongoing, year round institutional campaign to keep the 
station's call in front of people who don't already listen. We don't 
promote technology. We promote Morning Zoos.

You'll notice that no one has accepted my suggestion that we test the 
daytime only use of IBUZ. It would be very simple to demonstrate how 
the ratings will be affected when Entertainment Quality turns to 
regular AM mud at 6pm. Any programmer with any experience already 
knows what'll happen. We may as well make everyone a daytimer and let 
it go at that. Let's take a large market, highly rated FM and dump 
its response to 3KHz from 6PM to 6 AM for a full rating survey. It's 
a perfect test. It's also a terrible risk.

I wonder how much empirical data Canada and Mexico will need to push 
us hard to prohibit both nighttime and daytime near-border operation.

Rich


Rich Wood
Rich Wood Multimedia
Phone: 413-303-9084
FAX: 413-480-0010