Posted by CMG on February 10, 2017 at 13:42:19:
In Reply to: Why did IBOC fail in the US? posted by Moving on on February 10, 2017 at 13:17:48:
A few reasons, I think:
1. Timing - IBOC came around at the same time as people had already begun changing their listening habits and switching to MP3 collections and streaming audio, and for some, satellite radio.
2. Not enough of a perceived benefit; marginally better audio and a couple of lackluster sideband stations wasn't enough to make it worth the equipment investment.
3. Lack of industry-wide promotion; the equipment manufacturers and broadcasters never really stepped up and made a concerted combined marketing push to convince people to buy new equipment.
4. Automotive OEM equipment manufacturers really didn't seem to bother to add in HD radio tuners, which is a problem when that is, probably, the most popular place for people to listen to radio.