Baltimore radio is going digital.
High-definition radio is beginning to catch on in Baltimore ? thanks to iBiquity Digital.
Founded in 2000, the Columbia company developed the technology enabling radio stations and manufacturers to transform tinny-sounding AM and FM broadcasts into smooth, CD-quality sound.
“Radio is the only technology that hasn?t gone from analog to digital,” said Robert Struble, iBiquity?s chief executive.
In addition to the rich sound, HD radio also allows FM stations to offer several music formats on the same frequency. It also eliminates fading signals, static, hisses and pops.
To date, more than 3,000 radio stations are upgrading to HD radio digital broadcasting, with more than 700 stations on the air.
Baltimore station WPOC, 93.1 FM, a popular country channel owned by Clear Channel Radio, broadcasts new and upcoming country artists on its second commercial-free format.
Radio stations pay about $100,000 to adopt the new format, while consumers can buy a HD Radio receiver for about $269.
During the past few years, the price tag of the table units have fallen, and Struble expects prices to fall as HD radio gains popularity.
Nine channels in the Baltimore area are broadcasting in the HD format. Nationwide, there are about 780 and growing.
While it will take time for HD radio to catch up with satellite and online music providers, Forrester Research estimates that about 10 million households will own one by 2010.
