DAYTON, OHIO — For the first time in two years, the Streamline Publishing Radio & TV team is congregating in-person to review what’s on the horizon for our industry brands, including RBR+TVBR, in 2022.
One of our participants brought along a most interesting accessory — a Sangean portable HD Radio that even has the ability to pick up an AM broadcasting in HD Radio. Who knew?
The better question may be “Who cares?”
That’s harsh, RBR+TVBR.
OK, Radio Industry Nerds. But, on behalf of the majority of America who doesn’t know what “DX” means and considers “’70s on 7” a radio station, it’s an important question to ask.
Introducing the Sangean HD Radio. It’s a nifty little device, with HD Radio seek and scan capabilities and functionality akin to an in-dash HD Radio. It can pick up signals from a distance with its old-school portable radio antenna; in Kettering, Ohio, we were able to pick up HD signals from nearby Cincinnati.
The portable radio runs on four “C” batteries, and is available at Walmart.com.
It’s sorta’ cool, especially in hurricane season, with a massive storm battering Louisiana as we typed these words late Sunday (8/29). Given the absolute, miserable failure of the activation of FM chips in smartphones, or the failure of an app that used wired headphones as an FM radio antenna in an age of earbuds, the Sangean radio could be a hugely important addition to the home across the South. It could also prove beneficial in a time of blizzard, or if wildfires are threatening the American West.
There are many problems with the radio in terms of its affordability factor, and practical use.
First, it is priced at $107.99.
Seriously.
Who the hell is going to buy a portable radio, even one able to access HD Radio channels, for that kind of money?
Our on-staff Radio Nerd did. One RBR+TVBR follower on Twitter chimed in to report that Sangean models HDR-14, SG-108 (same except for color), HDR-15, etc., are all available from Amazon.
Woo!
But … had we not seen this radio on August 29, we would have never known it exists. And, we bet most of America has no clue this exists, either.
Then again, how many Americans know HD Radio exists in their market. And, if they did exist … would they sound as lousy as some of the digital multicast offerings heard between Dayton and Cincinnati. That’s not to say the programming is lousy. The processing, audio output level, etc., is inferior on many of these “crystal-clear” HD offerings that fade depending on which way the antenna points, given we’re in-between two metropolitan areas.
It’s like that back at Headquarters in Boca Raton, Fla., too.
If Radio put more pride into what was on the HD Radio digital multicast channels, instead of clearing one of their internet-exclusive offerings that anyone can access via an app by saying “Hey, Alexa,” instead of fumbling around with a radio receiver, maybe the $107 would be worth the price.
There’s no Howard Stern. The HD3 signal for one Dayton station sounds like its audio chain snapped in the middle of the Miami River.
With many ways to go with this column, we opted not to bash the “whatever …” attitude of the radio operators that have HD multicast offerings. We opted not to criticize Sangean for totally terrible marketing and outreach to consumers.
Instead, we have decided to put the Sangean in your hands, Radio. Do you know about this? Do you care? If so, would you consider giving some away to your listeners as a prize?Would you consider promoting it on your station websites and apps? Or, are you too focused on monetizing those streams and ensuring your stations are present on Audacy, iHeartRadio or TuneIn?
Oh, come on, RBR+TVBR. Be positive! This is a great product. Use this as an opportunity to spread the word about the Sangean!
The Sangean is 20 years too late. And, it’s a shame. If anything, it provides listener with the “what could have been” alternate reality that HD Radio — similar to DAB in Europe — was a huge success, providing audio diversity without any need of paying to hear a parade of stiffs hosted by MTV VJs or Howard Stern freely blurt out expletives because he simply can.
Perhaps if the Sangean was WiFi enabled and had Sirius XM available, it would be worth the $107. Otherwise, it’s just another play toy for those who care to “DX” on a product that, sadly, is DOA for 2021.
The views expressed by the Radio + Television Business Report are those of the editorial staff at RBR.com only and not of Streamline Publishing, its other Radio & TV publications, or its Chairman.
TALK BACK TO RBR+TVBR. OFFER YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS TOPIC BELOW AND JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
