On-Demand and Hybrid Platforms Will Grow in Importance – Radio World

A Radio World ebook explores trends in world digital radio; this is an excerpt.

Peter Passian is senior director of sales for the eastern hemisphere for Telos Alliance.

Radio World: In what areas is the company active in manufacturing for digital radio?

Peter Passian: Telos Alliance does not manufacture devices for the digital distribution of radio programs. However, we do manufacture devices that process and optimize audio for digital broadcasting.

These include Omnia audio processors and Telos streaming audio encoders, both of which are essential parts of digital radio infrastructure.

RW: What is the most important trend in digital radio technology that engineers and managers should be aware of?

Passian: One of the latest is hybrid radio, in which the signal of the radio program — FM, HD Radio, DAB — is seamlessly transmitted to listeners via an Internet connection such as WiFi, 3G, 4G, LTE, et.

What’s cool is that this technology not only enables multimedia but also audience participation and interactivity with the broadcaster, which can increase engagement and listening time.

RW: In what countries do you see digital broadcasting as most well established?

Passian: Aside from the United States, Australia, India and various European countries are leading the way in the distribution of digital radio.

RW: Where are the various platforms strongest?

Passian: HD Radio has established itself in the USA, and India is now the largest market for DRM. Globally, however, DAB+ is the leading format. 

When we consider other distribution platforms, it’s immediately obvious that the acceptance and prevalence of internet radio plays a key role worldwide.

RW: What countries are likely to be next to adopt digital radio standards?

Passian: Right now, China, the Russian Federation, Portugal, Latvia, Lithuania and countries in Central Africa are showing interest in digital radio, and especially in DAB+. Many countries have been operating a mix of analog and digital radio for years, but what’s remarkable are the countries that have already switched off analog radio entirely, such as Norway did in 2017, or plan to do so soon like Switzerland, which is planning to switch off analog in 2026.

RW: What is the state of the receiver marketplace?

Passian: I think it’s very good. Most new cars nowadays have HD Radio or DAB+ receivers built in, and from what I’ve seen, the range of available mobile DAB+ devices is constantly increasing.

RW: What strategies should radio broadcasters adopt in light of the transformation of the car dashboard?

Passian: Consumers have embraced on-demand content on nearly every delivery platform. Radio broadcasters know this, and many have ventured into on-demand programs. I think consumer affinity for on-demand will only grow, so it would be good for broadcasters to continue investing in on-demand programs and hybrid radio technology — especially since CarPlay and similar systems that seamlessly transfer audio content from smartphones to automotive media systems are becoming increasingly common. 

RW: How can radio improve its track record with visual display and metadata?