The publication
presents the findings of lab and field trials of a proposed radio-EPG
“ecosystem,” which were conducted throughout 2009, culminating with on-air
demonstrations in the Boston, Providence, RI and Worcester, MA markets.
Previously (in Phase 1 of the project), the same
development team had described the requirements and a proposed architecture
for such a service. NAB FASTROAD subsequently awarded the group further
funding to conduct its Phase 2 research and testing based on the Phase 1
work.
The Phase 2 report concludes that a radio EPG service
is indeed a viable option for U.S. radio, and presents recommendations for
how to best and most quickly achieve it. It includes methods for
transmitting EPG data over HD Radio broadcasts and via Internet delivery
(including to mobile devices). HD Radio digital radio technology, developed
by iBiquity Digital Corporation, is in use at over 2,000 radio stations in
the U.S. and is being evaluated for use by over a dozen countries around the
world.
Rick Ducey, BIA/Kelsey’s Chief Strategy Officer,
commented, “We are excited to present this report to the industry and its
critical recommendations for the advancement of U.S. radio broadcasting.
This Phase 2 work was a collaborative effort of many broadcasters,
developers and manufacturers, including iBiquity, and our profound thanks go
to all involved.”
Broadcast Signal Lab’s Managing Partner David Maxson
explained, “The Phase 2 trials were a fantastic learning experience. The
project team has tried to capture as much relevant output from that process
in the findings presented in our report. We hope it will be useful to its
readers, and stimulate interest in next steps toward development of radio
EPG service.”
Adrian Cross, Development Team Leader at Unique
Interactive, added, “The U.S. radio environment presents some unique and
exciting challenges to establishing an EPG ecosystem, and our work in Phase
2 of this project made it clear that such service is both possible and
extremely valuable to audiences, broadcasters and manufacturers alike.”
The NAB FASTROAD oversight of the project was managed
by NAB Science & Technology’s Senior Director, Advanced Engineering, David
Layer, who added, “We are pleased to see the conclusion of this important
research, and the delivery of such an excellent and comprehensive report.”
The Phase 2 Final Report is freely available at
http://www.nabfastroad.org/, along with the project’s Phase 1
recommendations, at
http://www.nabfastroad.org/NAB_FASTROAD_EPG_Final.pdf. The project team
welcomes comments on any of its work to
rducey@bia.com.
About BIA/Kelsey
BIA/Kelsey advises companies
in the local media space through consulting
and valuation services, research, Continuous Advisory Services and
conferences. Since 1983 BIA/Kelsey has been a resource to the
media, mobile advertising, telecommunications, Yellow Pages and
electronic directory markets, as well as to government agencies, law
firms and investment companies looking to understand trends and revenue
drivers. BIA/Kelsey’s annual conferences draw executives from across
industries seeking expert guidance on how companies are finding
innovative ways to grow. Additional information is available at
www.bia.com and
www.kelseygroup.com.
The company’s blogs are located at
http://blog.bia.com/bia/
and
http://blog.kelseygroup.com/,
and it can be found on Twitter through
http://twitter.com/BIAKelsey.
About Broadcast Signal Labb
Broadcast Signal Lab provides a full range of broadcast
engineering services from FCC application engineering, through facility
design & construction, to continuing signal quality monitoring &
maintenance; including migration to digital broadcasting. BSL is a member of
the National Radio Systems Committee and is actively involved in the
science, standardization and innovation in digital terrestrial radio
broadcasting. BSL's managing partner, David Maxson, wrote The IBOC
Handbook, published by Focal Press, which lays out the entire structure
of this digital transmission system. See
www.broadcastsignallab.com for additional information.
About Unique Interactive
Unique Interactive is all about digital radio &
interactive media technology. It supplies technology products and services
to broadcasters in the UK and around the world. Specializing in data
services for broadcasters, it supplies systems that integrate with existing
technology, adding extra value to broadcasts and creating solid revenue
opportunities. Unique Interactive currently supplies DLS display text
services to nearly 50% of UK broadcasters and has provided EPG services to
Canada, Australia and Korea, while supplying the UK market with EPG services
for over three years. It is a market leader in broadcast data service
provision, and an innovator in a new and emerging field of interactive
radio. Unique Interactive is part of the UBC Media Group plc, a UK public
company quoted on the London Stock Exchange. See
www.uniqueinteractive.co.uk for more information.
