BE Addresses New Trends in HD Radio™ Adoption Leading up to NAB Radio Show

Quincy, IL—Broadcast Electronics (BE) is reporting new trends in HD Radio adoption leading up to the NAB Radio Show, from HD2 channels for niche markets to small–market radio positioning for digital broadcasting.

"We're seeing a high level of interest from the smaller market segment especially, and we're making an effort at this year's NAB Radio Show to address the individualized needs of these broadcasters," said Neil Glassman, Vice President Strategic Marketing for Broadcasting Electronics, which offers digital studio integration systems for Messagecasting in addition to RF conversion systems for broadcasting in HD Radio.

The company will demonstrate at booth 417 incremental, building block steps to HD Radio adoption and financing options through GE Capital aimed at the needs of small–market broadcasters, whose interest in digital broadcasting has grown in recent months.

According to an online poll of BE's HD Radio Workshop for Managers webinar in June, more than 80% of the radio participants who responded were broadcasters in small– to mid–tier markets, and of these, the overwhelming majority – or 70% – were from markets 100+.

The poll results track with the steady increase in acquisition of BE HD Radio equipment by mid–tier and small–market radio broadcasters, many of whom are replacing older equipment with newer HD Radio–capable transmitters in anticipation of broadcasting in digital at a later date.

Small–market operator and longtime BE customer Ron Davis, who recently acquired two stations in addition to the two he owns in Montana, said he's replacing older transmitters with BE's HD Radio transmitters with the goal of eventually broadcasting in HD Radio. "If I'm going to put that investment into building out a station right now, why not build it out as an HD?" he commented. Another trend noted by the large manufacturer is the adoption of HD Radio by stations serving niche markets, especially religious broadcasters who are now able to serve a diverse audience because of HD Radio's ability to multicast more than one program channel.

"HD multicasting is a pretty good deal because we can put up a second channel that a lot of ourlisteners have wanted, but we just couldn't justify until now because of the expense," comments Clair Miller,Vice President andGeneral Manager of WFCJ 93.7 FM, a nonprofit station owned and operated by Miami Valley Christian Broadcasting Association in Dayton, Ohio.

BE's IDi 20 multicast unit enables these broadcasters to split the digital signal into the desired program streams so they can add an HD2 channel now and an HD3 channel later, or broadcast both now. The unit is just one of the many building blocks in BE's end–to–end HD Radio studio automation and transmission solution that can be added or upgraded to introduce new HD Radio services such as Messagecasting or multicasting.

The company's HD Radio product line will be on exhibit at booth 417 during the NAB Radio Show. BE also will participate in an HD Radio Technology Update session, part of the SBE Radio Engineering forum the Wednesday of the show, and will host breakfast at the AM/FM Transmitter Workshop on Friday, September 28.

ABOUT BROADCAST ELECTRONICS Broadcast Electronics (BE) is the premier provider of mission-critical solutions for over-the-air and Internet radio. Our products encompass program generation, audio and data management, interfacility transport, and analog and digital transmission. For more than four decades, our pioneering developments have set industry standards for innovation and reliability, while providing broadcasters with new options for operational productivity and income generation. BE is headquartered in Quincy, Illinois and is represented worldwide by our network of local representatives.

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