More Bad News for AM Radio

[malcorub16]

I use AM to listen to KNX 1070 AM News Radio out of LA down here in San Diego. They recently switched to FM as well but I can't pick up that station down here.

The benefit of AM over FM is the coverage of certain more important radio stations.

[mshultz]

The AM for Every Vehicle Act:
https://www.insideradio.com/free/wit...7fc1b9fc4.html


I wonder if it will pass. Vehicle manufacturers have a long history of not supporting radio. Look how long it took before FM radios were common in new vehicles. And look at how few vehicles have HD radio, even as an option.

[mshultz]

Ford reverses plan on AM radio deletion:
https://www.freep.com/story/money/ca...s/70247434007/

[case44]

There's one serious benefit which you have to remember with AM radio that the others won't have: When there's an emergency or severe weather or some other type of serious situation which warrants immediate attention, the benefit of a stronger signal comes into play. You still have the blowtorches that have signals which stretch across state lines. They especially benefit rural areas when they are on a need-to-know basis. Oftentimes, wherever you're at at the moment, that AM signal may be the only thing you'll have to possibly save your life.

While most AM stations aren't exactly getting hot ratings anymore, you'll still have that one or two blowtorches that these major metros possess for listeners. They're still there for a reason.

[jcp123]

My NPR station went FM this past month, but still has AM. Where I lived before it was in a practical sense AM only. I don’t really see the desire to drop AM. Depending on the station I sometimes like how AM sounds better. There’s also the matter of motorist info being on AM. To me it’s not wise. They can justify whiz bang touch screens and all sorts of dumb electronics on cars these days (I’m looking at you, driver inattention aids, touchscreens, and fake iPad gauges) so I don’t know how it makes so much more sense to drop an entire radio format.

[malcorub16]

Originally Posted by jcp123

My NPR station went FM this past month, but still has AM.

I assumed most NPR stations were on FM dial and have always been. Guess I was wrong.

AM radio seems to mostly be religious and conservative talk radio these days. And a bunch of Spanish language stations.

[Marv1985]

There are far too many AM stations nationwide that are powerhouses in their respective markets both in terms of listeners and revenue for anyone to feel that AM radio is in trouble since numerous AM stations in many cities are among the top 5 or 10 in terms of listeners and revenue generated.