content distribution
Pay-radio:
Ondas service to
commence in 2010
CHRIS FORRESTER reports.
The prospects for satellite
Africa we intend to launch our 3 satellites in
radio have never been
a highly-elliptical orbit (HEO) which means
ndas Media, a would-be satellite our signal is ubiquitous over Europe."
O
pay-radio operator over Europe,
better over Europe. Steve
Ondas’ mention of Worldspace was highly
has signed German auto-giant
Krueger, Ondas Media’s
relevant given that Worldspace applied for
BMW to install its system. This
CEO, said: “Europe wants
Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier in
major announcement for Ondas follows
satellite radio, and we are
October. Worldspace is currently trying to
similar recent installation agreements with raise fresh funds.
Nissan and Infiniti vehicles. Both parties say
going to make it happen.”
Charman, well known to the UK radio
they are aiming to see Ondas’ satellite radio industry from his time at Jazz FM, added: "In
chip-sets fitted into BMW vehicles starting in Charman, VP for broadcast technology at the past year it is worth noting that Sirius and
2012. BMW says: "Following its Ondas, speaking on 29 October at the Digital XM in the US, now merged, have won
extraordinary success in the USA, we are Radio Show in London, explained the between them 3 million new subscribers.
looking forward to be in a position to offer strategy: "Subject to us meeting a few minor That’s one billion dollars more in revenues.
our customers the same unique listening milestones - such as us launching our The automotive trade, those who are selling
experience that is satellite radio within BMW satellites - we’ll have our radios in all their the vehicles and satellite-radio equipment,
automobiles in Europe." production vehicles from 2012. One way of have also added $1 billion in extra revenue
As part of the agreement, BMW will looking at this is that with BMW and Nissan, because of satellite radio’s hardware. It is a
include pre-paid subscriptions to the Ondas and others, and still some years away from big business, which is why the OEMs here in
Media Radio Service with BMW vehicles sold service introduction, we have pre-sold 10 Europe are happy to talk to us. In essence
or leased during the initial term allowing million subscriptions." Ondas is a team of specialists, including Sirius
customers to experience the benefits of Charman stressed that Ondas was all and Delphi. We have good financial partners
Satellite Radio. This integrates Ondas Media’s about content, and that he had enjoyed and while this is not the best of times to be
Satellite Radio offering into the overall positive conversations with a number of visiting banks, it is such a great opportunity
entertainment and information experience for broadcasters and content owners during the that few are saying they cannot help."
BMW drivers." NAB special conference in London during Charman continued: "Over the next year
BMW itself (and it is not yet clear whether October. "We have a meaningful pan- or so we will be broadcasting more and more
this deal applies to their ‘Mini’ brand) sold European strategy in terms of regulation and of our content, not just over the Internet, but
122,000 vehicles in the UK in 2007 (and frequencies. We are not hamstrung by L- over terrestrial DAB. We see ourselves as
170,000 if Minis are included). But taking Band, for example. Key to us is the very much a complementary service with
Europe as a whole, the numbers become transmission infrastructure, and while DAB. We have designed our radios so that
extremely interesting for Ondas. Martin Worldspace’s satellite was designed to cover when you are sat in your BMW and perhaps
want to listen to a jazz station then you’ll be
Ondas has TPEG
able to press a button to call up all the
selections available on your colour screen. In
Ondas receivers will include TPEG. The TPEG technology was conceived by the EBU
fact the driver will not much care whether
with a number of key goals in mind. The first was to develop a protocol for
the signal comes from us, or WiMax or DAB.
delivering Traffic and Travel Information (TTI) and to support Intelligent
Nevertheless, we’ll list them all. We had
Transportation Systems (ITS) in a rich and flexible manner.
hoped to be part of the Channel 4 portfolio
Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/pubs/papers/pdffiles/ibc99og.pdf
of radio channels in the UK, but that plan
8IBENOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
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