Adelstein To Headline At NAB Radio Show
File this under “irony”. FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein will be a featured speaker at the upcoming NAB Radio Show from September 17-19 in Austin Texas. Adelstein is expected to address a number of regulatory issues facing radio broadcasters, including the FCC’s localism proceeding, HD Radio and low-power FM. A couple of these issues had a high profile during the merger process of Sirius and XM.
Adelstein at one point seemed to be negotiating a way to approve the deal, but ultimately withdrew his offer when it was apparent that Tate would be the third and deciding vote in the merger approval process.
With his no vote, Adelstein likely preserved his “status” with the NAB, and one can imagine that Adelstein will be a central figure in the upcoming hearings regarding a combination SDARS and HD requirement. The FCC order left the issue open, and wants to look at this issue from both sides. Adelstein will likely be closer to the HD side in my opinion.
Though as a whole the FCC was unpersuaded that a case has been presented on the record of a merger-specific harm to HD Radio that would not be remedied by Sirius and XM’s voluntary commitments and other conditions, the FCC believes important questions have been raised that warrant further examination in a separate proceeding. To this end, the Commission committed to initiating a notice of inquiry within 30 days from the adoption date of their Order to gather more information on issues including, but not limited to:
- Whether HD Radio chips or any other audio technology should be included in all satellite radio receivers
- Whether satellite radio capability or any other audio technology should be included in all HD Radio receivers
- The cost to auto manufacturers of including HD Radio chips
- The cost to radio manufacturers of including HD Radio chips
- Consumer demand for HD radio
- The amount and type of programming available on HD Radio today, and that projected to be available over the next 3 years
- Whether the FCC has jurisdiction to mandate inclusion of HD Radio, satellite radio, or other audio technology.
While the merger is indeed complete, there are still aspects before the FCC that investors as well as consumers will want to keep tabs on. Stay tunes to SiriusBuzz for more information as it develops.
[NAB Press Release]
Position – Long SIRI
Whether the FCC has jurisdiction to mandate inclusion of HD Radio, satellite radio, or other audio technology.
I am very much interested if the FCC can mandate a companies business plan, requiring them to carry another businesses product. That sounds too far “over the top”.
The FCC has already decided on this. They just haven’t figured it out yet.
When they went to open access, they eliminated that requirement. The FCC hs no jurisdiction to mandate that manufacturers include HD Radio technology. It is already making it’s way into head units. Rather than being a bunch of morons trying to fight this, they need to spend their money working out an understanding with manufacturers. Spend a bit more money on your product in order to make it more appealing to cunsumers. When you do that, they will look to include it, rather than trying to get a free ride off of someone else’s work.
Gee looks like the NAB has made this bald headed 2 faced bastard there poster child
EgisCodr says: Spend a bit more money on your product in order to make it more appealing to cunsumers. When you do that, they will look to include it, rather than trying to get a free ride off of someone else’s work.
Remember, this is terrestrial radio you are talking about. They have spent billions of dollars over the past 30+ years to prevent all sorts of technological advances, all to no avail. Their programming has gotten crappier and crappier.
Tyler: I sure hope you post when the comment period for the this proceeding starts. I am sure most every Satellite Radio investor is eager to write to the FCC regarding this matter. I know I am.
If we are going to start throwing mandates around, let us not stop without exploring all avenues. Why stop with just Satellite Radio? Lets mandate HD radio be included in television sets. Mandate HD radio be installed in every single vehicle manufactured for the U.S. Hell, lets mandate that HD should be included in every iPod. How about we just cut to the chase and mandate that in this thriving housing market, that HD radio should be built into all new homes and business manufactured. Lets shoot for the stars!
Sirius buzz radio wasn’t working tonight which sucked. I missed my fix man!
Anyway, I’m relieved the merger is done. I’m over the whole no “POP” disappointment.
Now is where we separate the longs from the posers.
And it’s going to be a long while until we see the pps go up.
The simple fact is that there are NO RADIOS that play both XM and SIRIUS. So all those people that were waiting for such radios before they signed up….will have to wait another whole YEAR. And car radios that play both won’t be available for ANOTHER 3 years!!!!
It’s going to be a long time people. If you don’t have the patience…don’t call yourself a long.