Sirius/XM merger can't hold a candle to HD Radio on clarkhoward.com

Several months ago, Clark first spoke about the Sirius/XM merger. Many people in rural areas love satellite radio, but Clark doesn't get it. Why would you pay money for something when there's a cheaper option?

The alternative is called HD Radio, and it's a free service that's only being used by about 1 million people. Think of HD Radio as a digital TV signal for your radio -- that's the quality of the broadcast.

Every station can get up to 3 channels of HD and then deliver multiple kinds of content. So a rock station, for example, may be able to expand its format to include classic rock and alternative rock with the extra channels.

All of this is free -- you just need the receiver that can be up to $150 installed. The sound you'll get is phenomenal -- equivalent to a CD.

So who cares about the satellite merger? You have better and cheaper choices out there. In the future, more car radios will allow you to listen to Internet radio. This development really promises to threaten terrestrial radio in a way satellite never did.

What others are saying

Sat Radio
I have satilite radio in my minivan. My wife loves it. I dont. It cuts out like a cheap CD player on a bumpy road. Unless you live and drive around in a city its anoying as can be!
By Bob @ 07/24/08 12:25:02 PMreport abuse
Clark's wrong about HD radio!
I like Clark but he's wrong on some HD radio issues that need pointing out. 1st-HD on AM has been a complete *failure* and several stations have abandoned HD on AM, like Clark's flagship WSB in Atlanta! 2nd-The digital coverage isn't as good as the analog on AM or FM, so unless you live in an urban area, plan on putting an outdoor antenna to snag those weaker stations; HD works if you already have a clear signal only. 3rd-the HD-2 & HD-3 stations are commercial free--for now. Eventally, they'll have commercials, too. 4th-Many rural areas have ZERO HD stations. If you live in a big city like LA, there are 30-40 more HD stations to choose from, but where I live? ONE. Public radio. Their HD-2 is classical and HD-3 is BBC World Service, two channels I get NOW on XM coast to coast. Sorry, I ain't buying Clark's (and Cox, his broadcast company)'s anti-satellite bias.
By Zach in Mississippi @ 06/23/08 06:00:24 PMreport abuse
Xm
I love my XM,Its all about sports radio for me,I no longer listen to music,
By Brian @ 06/20/08 07:28:23 AMreport abuse
sirius/xm
HD Radio will never have all the sports games u get on satellite or the comedy content. The delay on this merger is politics at its worst.
By rex @ 06/18/08 09:37:44 PMreport abuse
Sat. Radio
For me it's all about the music and terrestrial radio just doesn't cut it on that front ... not to mention freedom from overplayed songs by lip-syncing teeny boppers and zany commercials expousing the virtues of liposuction and botox that plague our local airwaves.
By Bill E, @ 06/18/08 01:02:49 AMreport abuse
hd radio
I've never heard hd radio but I think I'd like to. Trouble is the radio is $150 or more. That's too much for me. The am/fm portable i bought at Walgreens for 16 bucks suits me for now.
By bill @ 06/17/08 08:37:29 PMreport abuse
XM / Sirius
You cannot get XM and Sirius now without paying for two subscriptions. After the two companies merge, you will be able to have one subscription, and you will also be able to get all content avalable from both companies on one radio.
By David @ 06/17/08 03:51:35 PMreport abuse
HD/radio
Clark, I have Sirius in my home, set-up & paying for it. I have XM radio on my auto, prescription expired. Can I combine both from Sirius, FREE? What should I do? I'm not going to pay any more for XM.
By R.L. Lucas @ 06/17/08 03:35:12 PMreport abuse
HD Radio
it's only recently that i've heard about HD Radio. Not widely publicized, why is that, especially that it is free, except for receiver cost. Are receivers readily availabe? I have shyed away from XM Radio because of the subsription cost, but reading comments it seems that XM-ers are sold on what they have. Something to contemplate...
By gilbert @ 06/17/08 03:11:42 PMreport abuse
ATT Cable/Internet
I was approached yesterday by an ATT salesperson offering fiberoptic service in my neighborhood: $89/mth for an expanded basic cable pkg, and free 120 hour DVR that can service all TV's, plus 3 meg internet connection speed plus free wireless router. Sounds too good to be true: is it?
By Mark B @ 06/17/08 02:37:37 PMreport abuse
FCC Hypocrisy
In 2002 the Echostar (Dish Network)/ Hughs (DirectTV) merger was shot down by the residing FCC chairman. The claim, it would create a monopoly. Reality, they blocked what could have been a great competitor for Cable creating market competition. Now the FCC Chairman Kevin Martin give this merger a thumbs up? I guess the Radio Lobby didn't have the same deep pocket the Cable Lobby had back in 2002.
By Chris Bove @ 06/17/08 01:46:16 PMreport abuse
Sat Radio
When you are driving it is nice not to have to hunt for a station. The choices are unbelievable. I don't miss the commercials. Especially when you want to listen to music. Instead every channel is having a 5minute commercial break.
By BB @ 06/17/08 01:21:19 PMreport abuse
sat radio
The reason people like sat radio are the array of choice and commercial free!
By steve @ 06/17/08 12:34:25 PMreport abuse
My 2 cents
COMMERCIAL FREE, Clark! I guess you wouldn't understand since your program is broadcast on Atlanta's 'Commercial Leader'. I'd rather part with a few $$$ and keep my sanity than to be blasted by commercials enticing me to spend mega $$$ on junk I don't want.
By Henry @ 06/17/08 11:17:18 AMreport abuse
Satellite radio vs teresteral radio
Who cares about satellite radio merger? Me, that's who. The advantage of satellite radio is range. It may be true (I don't know) that HD radio sounds better, but if it doesn't reach the area you are driving in, what good is it??? I am a proffessional driver, and once you get out of a metropolitan area, the chance you can pick up a station with programmong you like are slim. Same would be true if HD radio. If you can't recieve the signal, what difference does the qulity of the signal make?
By David @ 06/17/08 10:43:03 AMreport abuse
Radio
My husband loves his satellite because he can listen to his talk stations, Fox tv channel and catch his favorite baseball team while he is on the road! When he has to rent a car he makes sure the satellite is included in the car. He doesn't mind paying for this service. I agree with the other poster. Doesn't Clark pay for his cell phone and cable/dish service? We can do without but do we want to?
By Katherine @ 06/17/08 09:05:58 AMreport abuse
HD Radio
Clark usually looks past the obvious, but not in this case. One "side effect" of radio is random consumerism. The good thing about no commercials is I don't know what to buy anymore. Recently I rented a car without Sirius. In the 20 min it takes to get to work I had "noted" two or three products or services I thought I should look into. Suddenly I realized I had made it through the past year without them. So, besides the superior content and nationwide access to the same stations, satellite is a money saver!
By Bill @ 06/17/08 07:03:34 AMreport abuse
HD radio
HD radio still has the same bad content as all other radio. You pay for Satalite becasue you want what they have to offer. I simply will not go without it and it's great for traveling. Sometimes you can be too cheap and miss out whats good.
By Keith @ 06/16/08 11:04:52 PMreport abuse
HD radio
Just to add to my comment.... Considering your current position in "radio" I think everyone should take your remarks with a grain..... I don't know why this bugs me, but it does. Your bias is disgusting and it doesn't seem that you have your listeners best interests at heart. What are you scared of?
By Chris @ 06/16/08 07:52:05 PMreport abuse
Satellite and HD
Music isn't about saving money; it's about what you like and what suits you. I'm from this industry, and the answer of this topic is that neither one will win in the long run. In the meantime, people who do subscribe to satellite have hundreds of channels to choose between, with or without commercials. HD is like blu ray DVDs - it came to the market FAR too late, long after the potential customers moved ahead. If everyone's online listening to all the music they want on their iPods, they're NOT looking backwards to "radio".
By Ice Babe @ 06/16/08 05:49:01 PMreport abuse
apples to oranges
first comment said it best: comparing hd radio and sat radio is apples to oranges. they are entirely different products. hd radio is free because of the commercials and for somebody like me that HATES commercials it is absolutely without a doubt worth the subscription to sat.
By Cos @ 06/16/08 05:32:43 PMreport abuse
hd radio
$150 = free? Since when. It isn't free. Nor is it an alternative. Can you get the same product on hd radio? Can I hop in my car and drive across the country listening to the same station without interruption. Apples to oranges my friend. I mean why pay for a telephone (skype, voip, land line, or cell)when you can get a really long string and a couple of cans free? Next time you want to talk about saving money and satellite, take a look at your gps and wonder why you don't just use a map. Talk about a cheaper and better choice. You can get live traffic on the internet for free and what does a map cost?
By Chris @ 06/16/08 04:57:43 PMreport abuse
Sirius
This is a talking point where I disagree with Clark. I'm typically as frugal as Clark, but in the music world I opt to pay a little extra to have commercial-free radio. My brother gave my wife & I 6 months of Sirius as a wedding present. At the time, I thought there was no way I would renew the subscription when it came due; however, I have enjoyed the music selection so much and lack of radio advertisements that it's worth it to me to pay around $10/month for great entertainment.

What I don't understand is this posts "Why would you pay money for something when there's a cheaper option?" comment. Doesn't Clark subscribe to cable TV? Doesn't he have a cell phone? There are plenty of cheaper options out there, but Clark does opt to open his wallet from time to time. I wonder why he is so hard on satellite radio? I've heard and read - though cannot confirm - that HD radio is not as reliable and that often times a station will vacillate between HD and analog leaving the listening experience lackluster at best. Anyway...to each his own.

I love satellite radio.
By Tim Boodle @ 06/16/08 04:36:01 PMreport abuse

Sat Radio

I have satilite radio in my minivan. My wife loves it. I dont. It cuts out like a cheap CD player on a bumpy road. Unless you live and drive around in a city its anoying as can be!

By Bob @ 07/24/08 12:25:02 PMreport abuse

Clark's wrong about HD radio!

I like Clark but he's wrong on some HD radio issues that need pointing out. 1st-HD on AM has been a complete *failure* and several stations have abandoned HD on AM, like Clark's flagship WSB in Atlanta! 2nd-The digital coverage isn't as good as the analog on AM or FM, so unless you live in an urban area, plan on putting an outdoor antenna to snag those weaker stations; HD works if you already have a clear signal only. 3rd-the HD-2 & HD-3 stations are commercial free--for now. Eventally, they'll have commercials, too. 4th-Many rural areas have ZERO HD stations. If you live in a big city like LA, there are 30-40 more HD stations to choose from, but where I live? ONE. Public radio. Their HD-2 is classical and HD-3 is BBC World Service, two channels I get NOW on XM coast to coast. Sorry, I ain't buying Clark's (and Cox, his broadcast company)'s anti-satellite bias.

By Zach in Mississippi @ 06/23/08 06:00:24 PMreport abuse

I love my XM,Its all about sports radio for me,I no longer listen to music,

By Brian @ 06/20/08 07:28:23 AMreport abuse

sirius/xm

HD Radio will never have all the sports games u get on satellite or the comedy content. The delay on this merger is politics at its worst.

By rex @ 06/18/08 09:37:44 PMreport abuse

Sat. Radio

For me it's all about the music and terrestrial radio just doesn't cut it on that front ... not to mention freedom from overplayed songs by lip-syncing teeny boppers and zany commercials expousing the virtues of liposuction and botox that plague our local airwaves.

By Bill E, @ 06/18/08 01:02:49 AMreport abuse

hd radio

I've never heard hd radio but I think I'd like to. Trouble is the radio is $150 or more. That's too much for me. The am/fm portable i bought at Walgreens for 16 bucks suits me for now.

By bill @ 06/17/08 08:37:29 PMreport abuse

XM / Sirius

You cannot get XM and Sirius now without paying for two subscriptions. After the two companies merge, you will be able to have one subscription, and you will also be able to get all content avalable from both companies on one radio.

By David @ 06/17/08 03:51:35 PMreport abuse

HD/radio

Clark, I have Sirius in my home, set-up & paying for it. I have XM radio on my auto, prescription expired. Can I combine both from Sirius, FREE? What should I do? I'm not going to pay any more for XM.

By R.L. Lucas @ 06/17/08 03:35:12 PMreport abuse

HD Radio

it's only recently that i've heard about HD Radio. Not widely publicized, why is that, especially that it is free, except for receiver cost. Are receivers readily availabe? I have shyed away from XM Radio because of the subsription cost, but reading comments it seems that XM-ers are sold on what they have. Something to contemplate...

By gilbert @ 06/17/08 03:11:42 PMreport abuse

ATT Cable/Internet

I was approached yesterday by an ATT salesperson offering fiberoptic service in my neighborhood: $89/mth for an expanded basic cable pkg, and free 120 hour DVR that can service all TV's, plus 3 meg internet connection speed plus free wireless router. Sounds too good to be true: is it?

By Mark B @ 06/17/08 02:37:37 PMreport abuse

FCC Hypocrisy

In 2002 the Echostar (Dish Network)/ Hughs (DirectTV) merger was shot down by the residing FCC chairman. The claim, it would create a monopoly. Reality, they blocked what could have been a great competitor for Cable creating market competition. Now the FCC Chairman Kevin Martin give this merger a thumbs up? I guess the Radio Lobby didn't have the same deep pocket the Cable Lobby had back in 2002.

By Chris Bove @ 06/17/08 01:46:16 PMreport abuse

When you are driving it is nice not to have to hunt for a station. The choices are unbelievable. I don't miss the commercials. Especially when you want to listen to music. Instead every channel is having a 5minute commercial break.

By BB @ 06/17/08 01:21:19 PMreport abuse

sat radio

The reason people like sat radio are the array of choice and commercial free!

By steve @ 06/17/08 12:34:25 PMreport abuse

My 2 cents

COMMERCIAL FREE, Clark! I guess you wouldn't understand since your program is broadcast on Atlanta's 'Commercial Leader'. I'd rather part with a few $$$ and keep my sanity than to be blasted by commercials enticing me to spend mega $$$ on junk I don't want.

By Henry @ 06/17/08 11:17:18 AMreport abuse

Satellite radio vs teresteral radio

Who cares about satellite radio merger? Me, that's who. The advantage of satellite radio is range. It may be true (I don't know) that HD radio sounds better, but if it doesn't reach the area you are driving in, what good is it??? I am a proffessional driver, and once you get out of a metropolitan area, the chance you can pick up a station with programmong you like are slim. Same would be true if HD radio. If you can't recieve the signal, what difference does the qulity of the signal make?

By David @ 06/17/08 10:43:03 AMreport abuse

Radio

My husband loves his satellite because he can listen to his talk stations, Fox tv channel and catch his favorite baseball team while he is on the road! When he has to rent a car he makes sure the satellite is included in the car. He doesn't mind paying for this service. I agree with the other poster. Doesn't Clark pay for his cell phone and cable/dish service? We can do without but do we want to?

By Katherine @ 06/17/08 09:05:58 AMreport abuse

Clark usually looks past the obvious, but not in this case. One "side effect" of radio is random consumerism. The good thing about no commercials is I don't know what to buy anymore. Recently I rented a car without Sirius. In the 20 min it takes to get to work I had "noted" two or three products or services I thought I should look into. Suddenly I realized I had made it through the past year without them. So, besides the superior content and nationwide access to the same stations, satellite is a money saver!

By Bill @ 06/17/08 07:03:34 AMreport abuse

HD radio

HD radio still has the same bad content as all other radio. You pay for Satalite becasue you want what they have to offer. I simply will not go without it and it's great for traveling. Sometimes you can be too cheap and miss out whats good.

By Keith @ 06/16/08 11:04:52 PMreport abuse

Just to add to my comment.... Considering your current position in "radio" I think everyone should take your remarks with a grain..... I don't know why this bugs me, but it does. Your bias is disgusting and it doesn't seem that you have your listeners best interests at heart. What are you scared of?

By Chris @ 06/16/08 07:52:05 PMreport abuse

Satellite and HD

Music isn't about saving money; it's about what you like and what suits you. I'm from this industry, and the answer of this topic is that neither one will win in the long run. In the meantime, people who do subscribe to satellite have hundreds of channels to choose between, with or without commercials. HD is like blu ray DVDs - it came to the market FAR too late, long after the potential customers moved ahead. If everyone's online listening to all the music they want on their iPods, they're NOT looking backwards to "radio".

By Ice Babe @ 06/16/08 05:49:01 PMreport abuse

apples to oranges

first comment said it best: comparing hd radio and sat radio is apples to oranges. they are entirely different products. hd radio is free because of the commercials and for somebody like me that HATES commercials it is absolutely without a doubt worth the subscription to sat.

By Cos @ 06/16/08 05:32:43 PMreport abuse

$150 = free? Since when. It isn't free. Nor is it an alternative. Can you get the same product on hd radio? Can I hop in my car and drive across the country listening to the same station without interruption. Apples to oranges my friend. I mean why pay for a telephone (skype, voip, land line, or cell)when you can get a really long string and a couple of cans free? Next time you want to talk about saving money and satellite, take a look at your gps and wonder why you don't just use a map. Talk about a cheaper and better choice. You can get live traffic on the internet for free and what does a map cost?

By Chris @ 06/16/08 04:57:43 PMreport abuse

Sirius

This is a talking point where I disagree with Clark. I'm typically as frugal as Clark, but in the music world I opt to pay a little extra to have commercial-free radio. My brother gave my wife & I 6 months of Sirius as a wedding present. At the time, I thought there was no way I would renew the subscription when it came due; however, I have enjoyed the music selection so much and lack of radio advertisements that it's worth it to me to pay around $10/month for great entertainment.

What I don't understand is this posts "Why would you pay money for something when there's a cheaper option?" comment. Doesn't Clark subscribe to cable TV? Doesn't he have a cell phone? There are plenty of cheaper options out there, but Clark does opt to open his wallet from time to time. I wonder why he is so hard on satellite radio? I've heard and read - though cannot confirm - that HD radio is not as reliable and that often times a station will vacillate between HD and analog leaving the listening experience lackluster at best. Anyway...to each his own.

I love satellite radio.

By Tim Boodle @ 06/16/08 04:36:01 PMreport abuse

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Jun 16, 2008 -- Sirius/XM merger can't hold a candle to HD Radio

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