According to USA Today, Wal-Mart is giving High-Def Radio a fighting chance.
The world’s largest retailer will carry a high-definition car radio from JVC in 1,989 of its stores in 85 markets, priced at about $190.
Being on the shelf at Wal-Mart “underscores that HD Radio is ready for prime time, it’s ready for the masses,” says Peter Ferrara, CEO of the HD Digital Radio Alliance, a consortium that includes radio broadcasting powers such as Clear Channel and CBS Radio.
Stations in the 85 markets will donate airtime for Wal-Mart-produced ads about the HD Radios. The ads fit into the larger effort to popularize HD Radio. Stations have pledged $250 million in ad time in 2007, an average of 126 ads a week on each of the alliance’s 700 stations.
Developed by Ibiquity, digital radio broadcasts provide listeners with radically improved audio quality, reception and new data services. HD Radio is free for consumers. A HD Radio receiver is all that is needed.
