iBiquity Digital announced over 4.7 million people listened to an HD2, HD3 or HD4 channel in an average week, according to the latest Fall 2013 Nielsen Audio Nationwide audience estimates. This represents a 293% increase in AQH audience from the Fall 2011 survey. Also, during that same period, cume grew over 256%. iBiquity also notes that as the installed base of HD Radio receivers rapidly increases and broadcasters continue to take advantage of digitally fed translators, the audience for HD2/HD3/HD4 programming has continued to expand.
New programming is helping to drive audience growth in a wide range of market such as:
–The new Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s Nickelodeon channel, called Nick Radio, which can be heard on digital HD2/HD3 stations like New York’s 100.3-HD2.
–KGSR’s The Music Lounge is another great example of new and unique programming available on a multicast channel. This station features live recordings from artists who have performed all over Austin, TX and can be heard on 93.3-HD2.
–In Boston, listeners have the choice of listening to Boston’s Irish Channel on WTKK’s multicast channel. The Irish Channel plays a unique blend of great Irish sing-a-long songs, patriotic anthems, new contemporary artists and all the top hits in between. Boston’s Irish Channel can be hear on 96.9-HD2
–94/7too is a station playing only Northwest Bands. This Portland multicast channel focuses on playing music from local artists. 94/7too can be heard on 94.7-HD2.
At the end of Q1, almost 19 million HD Radio receivers were available in the U.S., with some 16.5 million of those in automobiles. Additionally, the last 6 years have shown continual solid growth for both stations upgrading to HD Radio technology, as well as existing digital stations adding multicast channels. The numbers continue to grow– over 2,200 stations have now converted to HD Radio technology, with only about 7% of those not currently on the air in digital mode as of March 31, 2014. There are currently over 1,500 HD2/HD3/HD4 multicasts on the air, for a total of close to 3,600 total digital channels.
