Will Short Wave DRM fade away ?

The rise of alternative broadcast media could spell the end of Short Wave DRM.

DRM was meant to revitalise short wave broadcasting providing near FM quality mono reception using 10 kHz channels. Instead there are signs that on HF it may never get beyond the experimental stage.

It's over 12 years since DRM was devised and in that time there have been dramatic changes in ways broadcast radio can be delivered to the public.

There are now thousands of Internet Radio stations broadcasting from around the world. These can provide high quality, fade-free stereo audio that can be received on PC's or portable WiFi enabled radios.

In many countries now Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) at VHF, in addition to FM, greatly increasing listeners choice when driving.

Satellite radio, both free-to-air and subscription, has taken off over the last decade and provides a means to reach even remote rural communities.

The result has been a rapid decline in short wave broadcast listening and country after country have been closing down their short wave service.

Given the choices now available to listeners it is hard to see an economic case for short wave digital broadcast radio. That is not to say that DRM itself will completely die out.

The DRM-Plus variant could have a promising future as a replacement for FM at VHF and even the basic 9/10 kHz DRM standard may make some inroads in the Medium/Long wave bands but it is difficult to see a market for DRM broadcasting on short wave.

Jonathan Marks, formerly of Radio Netherlands, has written an item on his blog titled "Death of Digital Radio Mondiale in 2008 as well?".

It can be seen at
http://criticaldistance.blogspot.com/2008/02/death-of-digital-radio-mondiale-as-well.html