HD Radio vs. Satellite Radio GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Smart & Connected Life > Connected Car Tech 48 48 people found this article helpful
HD Radio vs. Satellite Radio: Which Is Better?
The pros and cons and ups and downs of HD and satellite radio
By Jeremy Laukkonen Jeremy Laukkonen Writer Shoreline Community College Jeremy Laukkonen is automotive and tech writer for numerous major trade publications. When not researching and testing computers, game consoles or smartphones, he stays up-to-date on the myriad complex systems that power battery electric vehicles . lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 5, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Connected Car Tech Android Auto Apple CarPlay Navigation The main difference between HD radio and satellite radio is the broadcast technology each one uses. Satellite radio uses satellites to transmit content. HD radio is a digital extension of terrestrial broadcasts. There are some key differences in programming, availability, and costs. Overall Findings
HD Radio Digital extension of analog radio transmissions. Limited geographical range. Digital signal conversion allows for clearer signal than analog radio with displayable content. Requires compatible head unit or tuner. No monthly fee or subscription. Satellite Radio Satellite broadcast covers whole continents. Only one service (Sirius XM) available in North America. Requires compatible receiver plus a monthly subscription. Limited advertising. While satellite radio is available over entire continents, HD Radio is only available in certain markets. Satellite radio requires a monthly subscription, while HD Radio is free. Which one is better depends largely on your driving and listening habits. Terrestrial HD Radio vs Satellite Radio
Terrestrial radio is limited to geographic regions. Although syndicated content from other markets may appear in local ones, that content is broadcast and received locally. Satellite radio, on the other hand, covers an entire continent with the same programming. HD Radio is a trademarked term for a hybrid digital/analog transmission technology developed by iBiquity. The system delivers digital content to analog receivers. The appeal of this is clearer audio with no fuzz or static. It also allows information about content to be transmitted to a car head unit or display, and for more local stations to come through within a given signal. You need a compatible head unit or tuner to listen to HD Radio, but once you have HD Radio, you have it for good. There's no need for a monthly fee or subscription. Satellite radio, on the other hand, requires either a compatible head unit or a portable satellite tuner as well as a monthly subscription. The Only Satellite Radio Provider in North America
In North America, there is only one satellite radio provider: Sirius XM. Sirius and XM originally operated as two independent companies. They merged in 2008 when it became clear that neither could survive on its own. This effectively created a satellite radio monopoly in the United States and Canada. The FCC approved the merger because it saw the service as being in competition with audio-streaming services. Should You Get HD or Satellite Radio
Satellite radio offers programming you cannot get through terrestrial radio—and vice versa. Some popular radio hosts, like Howard Stern, jumped ship to satellite radio early on and are only available with a satellite subscription. Another reason people like satellite is the lack of commercials on some stations. Terrestrial stations have the benefit of catering to local rather than national audiences, with local music highlights, news, and live call-in shows. To compete with satellite radio, podcasts, and streaming services, some terrestrial radio stations broadcast content with limited or no advertising. If there is a lot of HD Radio content available in your market, you may be happy with HD Radio. If you like satellite's national and (mostly) ad-free programming, you may enjoy a Sirius XM radio subscription. Another option is to skip terrestrial and satellite radio and stream radio through an app like iHeartRadio or make the leap to the world of podcasts. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire A Sort, Simple Guide to Satellite Radio How to Live Stream the World Series (2022) Can You Still Use an Analog TV? What Is HDTV? Do I Need a Special Antenna to Receive HD Radio? What Is HD Radio and How Does It Work? How to Listen to Internet Radio How to Listen to an iPod in a Car How to Listen to the Super Bowl on Radio How to Listen to Internet Radio in Your Car Here's Why You Have Bad Radio Reception Super Bowl TV and Home Theater Setup Tips The Complete Guide to Home Audio Systems for Beginners How to Watch Mobile TV in Your Car Radio Coverage of March Madness and NCAA Basketball Satellite Radio Programming Packages and Subscription Tiers Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies