Get ready to go back to school when iBiquity launches HD Radio University, a new online training program designed to educate retail personnel about the benefits of HD radio. HD Radio University will launch at the end of the month and will inform retailers and other interested parties about HD's improved sound quality, data features and ability to broadcast multiple programs on the same frequency. It will be hosted by Creative Channel Services and its CyberScholar.com Web site.

iBiquity made the announcement about the program from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week. iBiquity's VP of Retail Business Development Bernie Sapienza said the the training program will be flexible since broadcasters continue to convert to HD radio technology, reports the Baltimore Business Journal. Sapienza also said that as sales staffs turn over, "HD Radio University will be instrumental in helping new hires quickly and easily get up to speed on the technology."

In other HD news, analysts are predicting that HD radio could contribute $805 million to the industry's revenue picture by 2008. Kagan Research forecasts that U.S. terrestrial radio broadcasters will be earning four percent, or $805.2 million, of their total revenue from HD radio, mainly due to multicasting abilities. They also believe that advertising-supported "now" channels, offering local information such as all-the-time weather, sports and traffic, will bring in a large chunk of revenue.

"The future is still taking shape," says Michael Buckley, Associate Analyst at Kagan Research. "In some cases, the infrastructure and business models needed to leverage the new technology require further development." He added, "The industry's most immediate priority is to develop a coordinated strategy for rolling out HD radio. But it's also important to address the pressing issues surrounding consumer awareness and product availability."