It's just some of the talk at the 2023 National Association of Broadcasters' convention - using so-called Next-Gen ATSC 3.0 TV to also carry radio stations. 

This is really nothing new in a way. Back when I had my 10-foot C-Band satellite dish, some uplinkers carried radio stations in stereo on their subcarrier channels. But to be able to get perfect quality audio similar to HD Radio in the comfort of your home is another matter. 

By now, many here know that Sinclair's Buffalo station, Channel 49, has already made the switch to ATSC 3.0, although they're keeping the channels on a "night light" for most of us who still get our signals over-the-air since so few people actually have a set that can get 3.0 yet. (Some of the Rochester stations also testing it out.) 

So how many stations could one TV broadcaster presumably piggyback on their upgraded signal?

"Around 50 services was the number suggested...but since digital broadcast stations have the freedom to slice up their bandwidth however they want for multicasting, the number could potentially be even higher, letting a single TV channel deliver all radio stations in a given market, along with a selection of other broadcast radio offerings."

But here's where it gets complicated. There are also discussions underway about potentially one day putting ATSC 3.0 receivers in cars, which would solve the no-AM-in-electric-vehicles issue, but also means you would not only get every radio station in crystal clear audio, but it would also provide local TV stations into the automobile. And that is a scary thought, as if there aren't enough distractions on the dashboard already. 

This is all still in its very early days. But keep an eye - and possibly an ear - on your future TV set. You may one day be hearing more than just TV audio. 

If ATSC 3.0 broadcasts pack 50 radio stations in one TV channel, I’m all ears