The big dilemma facing broadcasters is this: You need to offer commercial-free HD2 channels to fend off satellite radio but if it's commercial-free, where's the revenue?
There are several answers to this. One is to charge for text messaging such as traffic or weather updates. For example, you might be able to subscribe to instant traffic updates for, say, .99 a month.
But here's another possibility. I saw one article yesterday that mentioned pay per listen as a possible source of revenue. One example of this would be concerts. I have little interest in paying .50 to see Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in concert at Denver's Red Rocks Amphitheater, but I would be happy to pay .95 to hear the concert live or even on a one-day delay.
I think this is one area where radio could take a lesson from pay-per-view TV. Maybe millions of people around the country won't pay .95 to see a championship fight bu thousands will. And thousands times .95 adds up to a pretty nice hunk of revenue. Ditto, .95 times thousands = a nice source of revenue for HD2 broadcasters.
So what do you think? Would you be willing to pay for special events on HD Radio?
BTW: There are now more than 1500stations broadcasting HD2 channels.
Another interesting idea
Strictly speaking, this may not come under the category of pay-per-listen, but National Public Radio, working with an electronics manufacturer, has showcased an HD Radio that displays scrolling text, much like closed captioning on TV. The purpose of this technology would be to allow the hearing impaired to "listen" to the radio. It's still only in the concept stage but, if implemented, could certainly open a new world of talk radio to those who have hearing problems.
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