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First HD Radio Receiver Sold in the United States

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Nathan Franzen, an Iowa buyer, became the first person in the nation to purchase an HD Radio tuner, marking a significant milestone in the development of digital radio technology. The sale took place on January 5, 2004, at the Ultimate Electronics store in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where Franzen purchased a Kenwood KTC-HR100 HD Radio tuner. With the installation of the tuner in his 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix, Franzen tuned to KZIA-FM Z102.9, Cedar Rapids' home for today's hit music, becoming the first consumer nationwide to experience the CD-quality sound of HD Radio. The sale comes on the eve of HD Radio's commercial introduction during the 2004 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nathan Franzen, an Iowa buyer, became the first person in the nation to purchase an HD Radio tuner on January 5, 2004.
  • The sale took place at the Ultimate Electronics store in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where Franzen purchased a Kenwood KTC-HR100 HD Radio tuner.
  • Franzen became the first consumer nationwide to experience the CD-quality sound of HD Radio by tuning to KZIA-FM Z102.9, Cedar Rapids' home for today's hit music.
  • The sale marked a significant milestone in the development of digital radio technology and paved the way for the commercial introduction of HD Radio at the 2004 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
  • iBiquity Digital and its partners had spent a decade developing and testing HD Radio technology, with the FCC approving it for broadcaster use in October 2002.
  • The technology's commercial introduction will allow AM and FM radio stations to reap the benefits of 100% digital technology, providing vastly improved sound quality and user-based features.
  • HD Radio has licensed technology to nearly 300 radio stations in 100 U.S. markets across 38 states, including KZIA-FM Z102.9 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
  • The first commercial HD Radio products will be formally debuted at the International Consumer Electronics Show on January 7, 2004, at Booth #4619 in the Las Vegas Convention Center's North Hall.

Statistics:

  • January 5, 2004: Nathan Franzen became the first person in the nation to purchase an HD Radio tuner.
  • Over a decade: iBiquity Digital and its partners spent developing and testing HD Radio technology.
  • October 2002: The FCC approved HD Radio technology for broadcaster use.
  • 300 radio stations: Nearly 300 radio stations in 100 U.S. markets across 38 states have licensed HD Radio technology.
  • 100 U.S. markets: HD Radio technology is licensed in 100 U.S. markets across 38 states.
  • 38 states: HD Radio technology is licensed in 38 states across the United States.
  • 2004: The first commercial HD Radio products will be formally debuted at the International Consumer Electronics Show.

Sources:

  • "iBiquity Digital Corporation announced today that an Iowa buyer became 'first in the nation' to purchase an HD Radio tuner." - iBiquity Digital Corporation press release, January 7, 2004
  • "The Honorable Paul D. Pate, Mayor of Cedar Rapids, said, 'It's fitting that the first consumer to purchase an HD Radio receiver in the United States should purchase it in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.'" - iBiquity Digital Corporation press release, January 7, 2004
  • "iBiquity Digital Corporation and its partners had spent a decade developing and testing HD Radio technology, with the FCC approving it for broadcaster use in October 2002." - iBiquity Digital Corporation press release, January 7, 2004
  • "Nearly 300 radio stations in 100 U.S. markets across 38 states have licensed HD Radio technology." - iBiquity Digital Corporation press release, January 7, 2004
  • "The first commercial HD Radio products will be formally debuted at the International Consumer Electronics Show on January 7, 2004, at Booth #4619 in the Las Vegas Convention Center's North Hall." - iBiquity Digital Corporation press release, January 7, 2004

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