6
Section II
THE RADIO DATA SYSTEM
RDS: EUROPE vs. AMERICA
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and its member countries
originated the concept of Radio Data transmission. The European
RDS specification, CENELEC Standard EN50067, was first
published in 1984. It was revised in 1986, 1990, 1991 and 1992.
European RDS has grown in use following initial adoption of the
Standard. RDS is nearly universal throughout Europe; it is almost
impossible to find a European FM broadcasting station that does
not
carry a radio data subcarrier.
The popularity of RDS in Europe is very much in contrast with
initial reluctance on the part of US broadcasters to embrace this
technology. This can be ascribed to material differences in
broadcasting practices.
Almost without exception, FM broadcasting in the United States is
detached and independent; that is, each station originates its own
programming. One exception might be America s National Public
Radio, though for most of the broadcast day even NPR stations
originate, or at least schedule, their own programs.
Much of European broadcasting is similar to the concept of network
radio that was common in the US prior to the 1950s. In Europe, a
central program originator may have many transmitting facilities of
modest power situated throughout the country. The European
disposition toward lower-power transmitters can be found on the
local radio level as well, with relay (re-broadcast) repeater
transmitters at several different frequencies to blanket a designated
service area.
The European concept of a
service area
equates to the US
broadcaster s
market
. The subtle difference between these
designations further characterizes broadcasting practices and ethics.
RDS benefits the European broadcaster through almost an altruistic
endeavor to be of
service
to his listeners. The US broadcaster is
marketing
his programming, and is primarily interested in how he
can create additional revenue from RDS.
THE RDS SYSTEM
RDS is a digital data channel transmitted as a low-level subcarrier
above the range of the composite stereo program signal in the FM
