It appears the HD Radio launch planned for Mexico City is still a go.
Despite the 7.4-magnitude quake, which struck on Tuesday, March 20 in southern Mexico, where officials are surveying the damage. No fatalities have been reported, according to CNN.
The quake’s epicenter was about 15 miles east of Ometepec, Guerrero and felt some 200 miles away in Mexico City.
IBiquity’s Director of Business Development in Latin America John Schneider said when he arrived in Mexico yesterday after the earthquake an airport waitress told him there was substantial movement, but with a swaying — rather than a sharp jerking — motion which limited the damage in the capital city.
Indeed, Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard indicated no there were no fatalities nor much serious damage from the quake, Reuters reported.
The earthquake temporarily cut off electricity to 2.5 million users in the capital and cellphone lines went down in Mexico City for a short period immediately afterwards, according to Reuters.
SVP of Marketing for iBiquity Steve Baldacci told Radio World that while there are complications resulting from the earthquake, none of those are long-term, “so we will keep moving forward.”
A lot of elements are coming together for the planned April 16 launch, with six FMs going live with an HD Radio signal while several automakers and retailers are committed to carrying HD Radio receivers by that day. IBiquity is helping stations coordinate promotions aimed at consumers that begin on April 16. It is also training retailers in how to sell the HD Radio products.
