New radio formats
sacrifice sound quality

Then there’s the programming.

Satellite radio companies have hired famous FM radio programmers from the past.  In some cases, these are the same geniuses who are responsible for perfecting today’s horrible broadcast radio formats. That means satellite music streams, while diverse, can also be monotonous, repetitive and just plain boring.

There are some notable exceptions: David Johansen's “Mansion of Fun” radio show heard on "Sirius Disorder" Friday afternoons, Broadway tunes via XM’s "On Broadway" and ‘Broadway’s Best" on Sirius, or listening to three of the original MTV VJs, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter and Nina Blackwood on Sirius’ "Big 80s" channel.

Here’s what the industry wants you to get excited about: digital broadcast radio or HD (high definition) radio. It’s the worst of both worlds: Bad FM programming plus satellite-like digital audio quality. 

FM stations in your area will simulcast a digital signal in addition to the analog one you can listen to. Bottom line: It means that you’ll be able to listen to mediocre-sounding digital music streams of the same horrible FM stations you can’t stand to listen to now.

And for this privilege the industry expects you to buy a new HD radio receiver. The car model discussed in Wired magazine, for example, lists for $850.

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I say, let’s wait to make broadcast radio digital. Let's wait until the commercial programming and digital technology improve.

In the meantime, we have some great programming via satellite — and there are still beautiful sounds plus innovative programming available on analog FM. Maybe we can find a way to merge everything into a great product.

It’s not the end of radio. Radio is hopefully just beginning to reinvent itself.        

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