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iBiquity Digital Fact Sheet
| Founded | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Company Status | Privately held |
| Headquarters | Columbia, Maryland |
| Satellite Offices | Basking Ridge, New Jersey Auburn Hills, Michigan |
| Employees | 100 |
| HD Radio™ Stations | 2,000+ |
| HD2/HD3 Channels | 1,100+ |
| HD Radio Receiver SKUs | 100+ |
Management Team
| President & CEO | Robert J. Struble |
| Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer | Jeffrey P. Jury |
| Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer | James Spencer |
| Senior Vice President & General Counsel | Albert D. Shuldiner |
| Senior Vice President, Marketing | Stephen T. Baldacci |
| Senior Vice President, Engineering | Gene Parella |
| Senior Vice President, Broadcast Programs and Advanced Services | Joseph F. D’Angelo |
| Chief Scientist | Dr. Brian W. Kroeger, D.Sc. |
About iBiquity & HD Radio Technology
iBiquity Digital Corporation is the developer of the HD Radio™ system that is powering the AM/FM
digital radio revolution. HD Radio Technology converts local radio broadcast programs from analog
to digital, thereby providing many new benefits to their listening audience. HD Radio Technology is
essentially a new digital pipeline to consumers, enabling many benefits ranging from dramatically
expanded radio content, noticeably better audio quality to a range of data and interactive services
– identified as “HD Radio Advanced Services.” (Note: The benefits of HD Radio Technology are
provided free over the air to consumers using an HD Radio enabled radio receiver):
Consumer Benefits & Commercially Available Advanced Services
- Sound Quality: HD Radio digital transmissions provide consumers with FM sound quality that is equivalent to listening to a CD. There is none of the hissing, distortion or pops associated with analog transmissions. Exhaustive consumer research has documented consumer satisfaction to be quite high with HD Radio FM audio quality. HD Radio AM audio quality is also improved to the point that AM programming now sounds like traditional FM analog broadcasts.
- Program Service Data (PSD): HD Radio enabled receivers display Program Service Data (PSD) which text messages that can include, but is not limited to song & album title, artist name, and station identification. Advertising messages can also be delivered via PSD.
- HD2/HD3 Channels: Broadcasters can now add additional FM channels within their owned spectrum on the radio dial. These HD2/HD3 Channels are identified on the dial as “HD2”, “HD3”, etc. So, for example a radio station located at 101.1 on the FM dial can add new Channels, which are identified as 101.1-HD2 and 101.1 – HD3. These HD2/HD3 channels are giving way to a variety of new, innovative niche programming not available on analog. Consumers have a tremendous range of content from which to choose from. HD2/HD3 Channels enabled by HD Radio Technology are being launched by local broadcasters at a rapid rate. Today listeners are enjoying over 1,100 new HD2/HD3 Channels in local markets across the country. New programming continues to emerge; super-serving sports fans, lifestyles, vertical ethnic markets in local communities or simply providing niche music formats not typically available in the local markets.
- iTunes Tagging: Designed for the iTunes Store, iTunes Tagging provides consumers with a simple way to capture the identification of a song or other programming they hear on an HD Radio receiver for later sampling and purchase from the iTunes store. Listeners simply push a button on an equipped HD Radio receiver and the song information is stored for transfer to an iPhone or iPod. When synced to the iTunes store, the listener is presented with a listing of tagged songs.
- Song Tagging: Song Tagging works just as iTunes Tagging, however is designed for alternative devices and music stores such as the Zune HD device which interfaces with the Zune Marketplace.
- Real Time Traffic: Two HD Radio enabled Real Time Traffic services are available through Clear Channel and the Navteq division of Nokia; providing consumers with noticeably more robust traffic data – such as flow and incident data – at a significantly faster rate of delivery through the digital pipeline. Both service providers have additionally complimented their traffic data with location based services in the top US markets (for example, gas prices, store locations and weather information).
Advanced Services Under Development
- Album Art: Scheduled for launch in 2010, Album Art provides consumers with visual images on the radio display of HD Radio receivers. These images can be synchronized with audio programming to provide listeners with enhanced multi-media radio experience.
- Live Pause: Scheduled to launch in 2010, Live Pause will enable a listener to store approximately up to 15 minutes of live content for play back.
- Premium Content: Currently in trial phase in select markets, the Premium Content service will enable consumers to opt-in to specific, specialized programming such as concerts, sporting events or other exclusive programming. (Note: Some Premium Content may require payment of a fee.)
- Electronic Program Guide (EPG): Current and Scheduled programming guides for local broadcast stations will be available on the radio display, enabling listeners to see all options at any given time.
- Emergency Alert: Automatically programmed emergency alerts will be delivered to HD Radio receivers in both the “on” and the “off” position; thereby ensuring delivery of critical information at vital times.
Markets
HD Radio Technology is the only digital broadcast system approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for AM and FM radio in the United States. Approved by the U.S. government agency in October 2002, the HD Radio system is protected by more than 100 patents. iBiquity is also pursuing international opportunities. Brazil, Mexico Panama and The Philippines have gained commercial implementation. Testing and demonstrations of the system are also underway in Argentina, Australia, Bosnia, Canada, Colombia, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Indonesia, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Switzerland and Ukraine.
Company History
iBiquity Digital Corporation is a privately held company with operations in Columbia, Maryland, Auburn Hills, Michigan, and Basking Ridge, New Jersey. The roots of the Company stretch back to 1991 when CBS, Gannett, and Westinghouse formed USA Digital Radio (USADR) to explore opportunities for digital AM and FM broadcasting. Following years of research and testing, USADR developed the In-Band On-Channel (IBOC) method of broadcasting which enables digital signals to travel the airwaves alongside traditional analog signals. IBOC remains the underlying principle behind today’s HD Radio Technology.
By 1998, USADR had made such progress with the IBOC technology that it was spun out as a separate company, backed by investment from 13 of the nation’s leading radio broadcasters. iBiquity Digital was subsequently formed in 2000 with the merger of USADR and Lucent Digital Radio. The Company's investors include 15 of the nation's top radio broadcasters, including ABC, Clear Channel and CBS Radio; leading financial institutions, such as Grotech Capital Group, J.P. Morgan Partners, New Venture Partners, FirstMark Capital; and strategic partners Ford Motor Company, Harris, Texas Instruments and Visteon.
The Automakers: Factory-Standard, Factory-Install, Dealer-Install
HD Radio Technology is being adopted by the automotive industry at an accelerating pace. Today, 15 brands, representing more than 80 vehicles, have committed to including HD Radio Technology as a factory-installed feature. They include:
- Audi - standard on A6, A8 and Q7 2011 models; available on the navigation radio on A4,A5, and Q5 2011 models
- BMW - standard feature in its 2009/2010 Model Year 7 Series, 6 Series, 3 Series, 1 Series, X5, X6; Z4 Roadster and 5 Series Gran Turismo; factory-installed option across the balance of its line - the 5 Series and the X3
- Ford - factory-installed option on 2011 model year vehicles: Taurus, Edge, Lincoln MKS, Econoline, Escape, F-Series, Flex, Fusion, Mustang, Super Duty.
- Hyundai - factory-installed option on the Hyundai Genesis sedan and the 2011 Sonata
- Jaguar - standard feature on the flagship 2010 Jaguar XJ, XF and XK models offer it as factory-installed option
- Kia - factory-installed option in select sedans and SUVs beginning in 2010
- Land Rover - factory-installed option across entire Land Rover and Range Rover vehicle offering
- Lincoln - factory-installed option on 2011 model year MKS, MKT, MKX and Navigator
- Mercedes - factory-installed option in popular premium packages in the E-, E-Coupe [formerly CLK], GL-, M-, R- and SLK- Class and standard equipment in the CL-, CLS-, G-, S-, and SL -Class models in dealerships today
- Mercury - factory-installed option on the 2011 model year Mariner
- MINI USA - factory-installed option in MINI Cooper, Convertible and Clubman in dealerships today
- Rolls-Royce - standard feature in Phantom Series
- Scion - factory-installed option in dealerships today; on xB and xD models in 2010
- Volvo - standard in all models in dealerships today
- Volkswagen announced that select 2010 models equipped with the DVD navigation system will include HD Radio Technology as a feature. The company also plans to bring digital radio to its latest touch-screen radio systems on future VW models.
In fact, in a recent J.D. Power and Associates study (June 2009) on U.S. Automotive Emerging Technologies, HD Radio Technology ranked in the top ten for consumer interest levels in select auto entertainment/connectivity as a desirable feature, an increase in consumer interest from last year’s study.
The Receivers: Home, Auto, Marine & Mobile/Portable
Home/office, automotive, marine and mobile/portable HD Radio receivers are now available from a
variety of device manufacturers, including Alpine, Audio Design Associates, Audiovox, Coby, DaySequerra, Denon, DICE Electronics, Dual, Gigaware (RadioShack), Insignia (Best Buy), Integra, JBL, Jensen Mobile, Jensen (Spectra), JVC Mobile, jWIN, Kenwood, Marantz, McIntosh, Metra, Microsoft, Niles, Onkyo, Panasonic, Peripheral Electronics (AAMP), Pioneer, Polk Audio, Roadmaster, Rotel, Sangean, Sony, TEAC and Yamaha, with more under development. Price points vary based on type of product and start as low as U.S. $49.99.
The Retailers: National, Regional & Online
These products are available at over 14,000 stores across the country, including:
- National outlets: Apple stores, Best Buy, Costco, JC Penny, Microsoft stores, RadioShack, Sony Style, Target, Walmart, etc.
- Regional and local chains: 6th Avenue, ABC Warehouse, Abt Electronics, Al & Ed's, Bjorn’s, Brandsmart, Car Toys, Entertainment Solutions, Flanner’s, Fry's, Harvey, J&R, Ken Crane, Listen Up, Mickey Shore, Myer-Emco, Ovation, Stereo Advantage, Ultimate, etc.
- Online retailers: Amazon.com, Buy.com, Crutchfield.com, newegg.com, Overstock.com, Staples.com, etc.
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