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The Next Big Thing? NAB/BIA Contract Is Aimed at Creating a Radio Program Guide

BIAfn will work with Broadcast Signal Lab to develop the business requirements, system architecture and specifications of an interactive on-screen guide.

American broadcasters using digital radio technology should soon be able to offer listeners an Electronic Program Guide.

The NAB’s FASTROAD technology advocacy program has awarded a contract to BIA Financial Network. BIAfn will work with Broadcast Signal Lab to develop the business requirements, system architecture and specifications of an interactive on-screen guide to scheduled broadcast programming — suited to stations broadcasting in HD Radio.

As we’re reported, Unique Interactive has developed a similar EPG for stations broadcasting with the Eureka-147 technology in the United Kingdom. UI will work with Ibiquity Digital on this project, continuing Ibiquity’s efforts to develop the EPG service.

The group seeks to develop a set of business requirements, create a preliminary EPG architecture, recommend markets for field testing in subsequent phases and deliver a final architecture spec and recommended practices.

David Maxson, managing partner of Broadcast Signal Lab, said in the announcement, “As local radio broadcasting transitions to its digital future with HD Radio technology, the radio audience is demanding more information about what’s on the radio. They seek richer information and more flexibility to make better-informed decisions about their media choices.” He said the NAB FASTROAD EPG Project promises to make listeners’ experience more “unified” and compelling.

The effort relies on Ibiquity’s EPG-supporting features of the HD Radio system; the work is ongoing and proponents project completion by late summer.

FASTROAD stands for Flexible Advanced Services for Television & Radio On All Devices. Read RW’s original story about the program here.

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