SiriusXM raised its 2020 guidance on self-pay subscriber net additions to 700,000 from 500,000 in the July 30 forecast, it said Wednesday. "Our business continues to demonstrate strong performance and favorable trends,” said CEO Jim Meyer. Conversion and churn performance “remain excellent,” he said. Improved new car sales and a rising automotive penetration rate give SiriusXM “a robust trial funnel that we believe bodes well for the coming quarters," said Meyer.

GeoBroadcast Solutions plans demos of the zoned broadcast coverage technology it petitioned on, Xperi wrote, posted in RM-11854 Thursday (see 2005180041). “Xperi will work with GeoBroadcast to develop appropriate test plans to provide data demonstrating the ZoneCasting experience on HD Radio stations” and the tech’s impacts on that service, the FCC filing said. Move toward an NPRM on zoned broadcast coverage, Xperi asked. “The NPRM process will give all parties ample time to explore these various issues.” GeoBroadcast "has been continuously refining and simulating the models that will successfully integrate geo-targeting within HD radio, and look[s] forward to working closely with Xperi in the field," it emailed.

Comments are due March 9, replies April 6 on an FCC proposal to allow all-digital AM broadcasting, says Tuesday’s Federal Register (see 1911240003).

FCC members unanimously approved a rulemaking notice Friday seeking comment on allowing AM broadcasters to voluntarily transition to HD Radio-based all-digital AM (see 1911210002). “If we’re going to preserve this critical service, we need to bring AM radio into the 21st century," said Chairman Ajit Pai. The NPRM seeks comment on operating parameters for such stations, interference concerns and industry standards, said a Media Bureau release. NAB hailed the decision. “Many AM radio broadcasters are exploring all-digital radio’s potential for delivering markedly improved reliability and audio quality for listeners,” a spokesperson said. Commissioner Mike O'Rielly expressed concern about the item but said he looks forward to what the record will show. He has “reservations” about adopting specific technical standards: “It remains to be seen whether digital AM signals will ever catch on with manufacturers, and more importantly, listeners, or serve as a significant factor in the band’s revitalization.” Monday, CTA didn’t comment, nor did HD Radio owner Xperi. The docket is 19-11.

FCC approval for an all-digital AM service “will not happen overnight,” and won’t go anywhere without “industry support,” blogged Wilkinson Barker broadcast attorney David Oxenford Friday. He represents Bryan Broadcasting, which petitioned the FCC in docket 13-249 March 27 for a rulemaking to let AM stations go all-digital (see 1903270057). Comments on the petition are due May 13, said a public notice Thursday, and Oxenford urged anyone “interested in having the option to operate an all-digital AM station” to file support. Proponents of all-digital AM argue that it allows for “better reception and increased stability of the transmission,” said Oxenford. They also say it’s time for stations “that are willing to transmit in this better system to be allowed to do so without having to seek experimental authority -- the only way in which an all-digital AM transmission is now allowed,” he said. If the FCC senses “enough industry support” for the Bryan petition, it will issue an NPRM “seeking additional comments on rules for implementing this proposal,” he said. Hubbard Radio's WWFD Frederick, Maryland, was the first AM to transmit in digital full time using the HD Radio “MA3" mode, said an NAB Show paper that won top technical honors at the Broadcast Engineering and Information Technology conference last week in Las Vegas.