“Just as the introduction of digital radio improved usage of RDS, the introduction of hybrid radio will lead to better usage by broadcasters of digital radio in general, and metadata in particular.”
That’s the opinion of David Layer, the vice president of advanced engineering at the National Association of Broadcasters.
Writing in Radio World’s ebook “Trends in Digital Radio 2021,” Layer says the technologies of hybrid radio and its cousin, audio streaming to computers, smartphones and tablets, are poised to bring new features and functionality to radio, just as digital radio did back in the 2000s.
“Interactivity, non-linear (on-demand) content and rich metadata are going to be what consumers will learn to expect.”
He thinks newer products and services developed to support hybrid radio will support digital radio as well, and that broadcasters will take advantage of this dual capability.
“As has happened before, consumer expectations will once again be raised (this time by hybrid radio) and as broadcasters respond they will again, or maybe for the first time, recognize the value digital radio can bring to their services.”
Layer believes the stakes are higher than ever for radio broadcasters, as the proliferation of mobile broadband has increased consumer choice in audio services.
“It’s important for all broadcasters to embrace the use of metadata so that as consumers scan the terrestrial radio dial, what they see is as useful and compelling as when they scan their favorite streaming audio service or satellite radio,” he concluded.
“Today that is not the case; but if history repeats itself, the introduction of hybrid radio will result not just in support by broadcasters for hybrid services, but better support for digital radio, too.”
Our ebook provides other opinions about the state of global digital radio from thought leaders at organizations like WorldDAB, Digital Radio Mondiale, RadioDNS, Commercial Radio Australia, the European Broadcasting Union, the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, Audi, Xperi, 2wcom, Digital Radio UK and Nautel.
Read it for free at radioworld.com/ebooks.
