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HD Radio Looks Proudly Back At Successful '05
January 4, 2006 at 11:12 AM (PT)
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At the beginning of '06, HD RADIO looks back at its numerous accomplishments in '05. Here is how '05 shaped up for HD RADIO:
-- The number of digital AM and FM stations on the air more increased from 200 to 624
-- New HD Radio receivers launched in the marketplace across a range of product categories
-- 2005 ending with 70 stations offering new multicast channels
-- eBAY offered a national HD RADIO product rebate program - "Trade In Your Old Radio"
-- Major radio groups banded together in the HD DIGITAL RADIO ALLIANCE
-- Outside the U.S., HD RADIO technology is being tested in BRAZIL, CANADA, FRANCE, MEXICO, NEW ZEALAND, the PHILIPPINES and SWITZERLAND
-- 2006 model year BMW 6- and 7-series vehicles offered factory-installed HD RADIO receivers.
"At the beginning of 2005, our goal in the broadcast space was to finish the year with 600 stations on the air, and, as a result of broadcasters converting stations at a rate of more than one per day, we surpassed that goal," said iBIQUITY DIGITAL Pres. and CEO BOB STRUBLE. "On the hardware side we worked successfully with our partners to diversify the product categories for HD RADIO receivers, including the first automotive OEM platform. At the same time, prices of HD RADIO products fell by 50% or more from the previous year’s levels. By nearly every measure, 2005 was a tremendously successful year."
STRUBLE continued, "We anticipate an even more aggressive rollout in 2006: the number of HD Radio stations on the air will more than double; hundreds of new multicast channels covering all major markets will launch; receiver prices are coming down; and products in more categories will enter the market. We also expect great expansion in HD RADIO product visibility at retail and factory-installed radios to be available in more and more vehicles."

