The recent saga of AM and FM radio in cars usually comes down to whether or not it is included as an option, or to electric interference within the vehicle.
But a new cease and desist letter issued by Neal Ardman, the owner of Georgia-based radio company NIA Broadcasting, highlights the potential visual alteration of metadata sent by stations, including via RDS and HD Radio.
Ardman sent the letter, dated Nov. 7, to the Volkswagen Group of America and its subsidiaries, which include Porsche and Audi. The letter was first reported by Inside Radio.
It stems from what he has observed in his own Porsche Taycan GTS, which is manufactured by VW.
Display data sent from his stations via RDS and HD, including the HD Radio Artist Experience, is supplanted by what he said is its own onboard metadata service.
It’s not uncommon for auto manufacturers to offer their own visual display services, as we’ve previously covered. Toyota’s GraceNote is one example, while many manufacturers are opting for Xperi’s DTS Autostage. But with the variety of options, how exactly station metadata is being handled is something Ardman wants to highlight.
Last month, a 15-year old in Kingsland, Ga., went missing, which is where Ardman’s 106.3 WKBX(FM), “K-Bay 106,” is located. He said the station ran the boy’s picture via HD Radio’s Artist Experience feature, in conjunction with the Camden County sheriff’s office.
He said the boy’s picture showed up on most auto displays — but not on the Taycan’s.
The Porsche’s metadata, Ardman said, often will attempt to match up currently playing artist and song title data to its own database, which he cited is often either inaccurate or outdated.
“If the listener sees it, they hold us responsible,” Ardman said.
Ardman’s stations also work with advertisers to sell spots over metadata. Those ads are not seen on the Porsche’s display, either.
“It’s a slippery slope,” Ardman told Radio World. “Do automotive OEMs get to pick and choose which ads are sent out on the display? How is it any different than if a TV manufacturer decided to cover up certain advertisements on a television program?”
He is also concerned as his stations, which include coastal Georgia’s WKBX and WTMP(AM/FM) in the Tampa-St. Petersburg, area, won’t be able to disseminate weather data via HD Radio and RDS efficiently.
Ardman is not certain how wide ranging the issue is on VW vehicles. He said he’s attempted to contact VW America for approximately a year without any response.
So he decided to send the letter to VW of America and its subsidiaries.
The actions of VW’s infotainment systems, Ardman argued, constitute constitute consumer deception, “unauthorized manipulation” of protected broadcast material and potential FCC rule violations.
The order requests written confirmation within 10 days detailing the VW models affected and a corrective timeline. The next step, Ardman wrote, is to file a federal suit, which he plans to do after the 10 day period passes.
When reached by Radio World, a Porsche representative said that it had not yet received the letter, so it offered no comment.
Ardman announced an initiative in 2023 to target AM radio interference he said that is produced by electric vehicles, including to nearby cars.
