At the NAB/RAB Radio Show in Orlando, iBiquity Digital said that as the installed base of HD Radio receivers rapidly increases, so has listening to HD2/HD3/HD4 programming. According to the latest Spring 2013 Arbitron Radio Nationwide audience estimates, over 4 million people listen to an HD2, HD3 or HD4 channel in an average week — a 238% increase in AQH audience from the Fall 2011 survey. During the same period, Cume audience grew at over 200%.
While a good number of stations (especially AM) have pulled their HD signals, the last 6 years have shown growth for both stations upgrading to HD Radio Technology, as well as existing digital stations adding additional multicast channels.
– 2,200+ radio stations converted
– 1,475 multicasts (HD2/HD3/HD4)
– A total of 3,675 digital channels
– 273 Arbitron measured markets
– Almost 90% of the U.S. lives within coverage of an HD Radio signal
iBiquity also said that HD Radio receiver sales growth has accelerated. A new radio is sold every 6 seconds. Almost 15 million HD Radio receivers have been sold, with over 12 million factory-installed in new cars or auto aftermarket units. This expanding installed base will help broadcast radio compete with other new digital technologies for the drivers’ attention in the digital dashboard.
33 car makers now include factory-installed HD Radio Technology on 165+ different models
80+ different models include HD Radio Technology as standard equipment
An estimated 5 million HD Radio- equipped cars will be sold in 2013
About 30% of all new cars sold this year include HD RadioTechnology
Artist Experience growth
Artist Experience enables stations to provide synchronized images such as album cover art with their audio programming. This feature can also deliver station or advertiser logos for better branding and station recall, as well as reinforcing audio advertisements. Over the past year, broadcast groups large and small, including Beasley, Hubbard, Clear Channel, CBS, Emmis, Entercom, Bonneville, Journal, RTN, Merlin, Carter, Hall and Greater Media have all worked to implement Artist Experience on their stations. Currently some 500 stations are now supporting Artist Experience on over 900 digital broadcast programs nationwide, with more on the way. Artist Experience is now widely available in new HD Radio car receivers from BMW, Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Lexus, Toyota and Volkswagen as well as CE manufacturers Alpine, JVC, Kenwood, Pioneer, SONY and Insignia.
