FCC Plan To Revitalize AM Radio

Posted by | April 14, 2015 18:00 | Filed under: Media/Show Business Pot Luck

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The FCC has put out a plan to make it easier for AM radio stations to operate in an ever-more competitive environment technologically and content-wise. TALKERS reports:

Patting FCC commissioner Mignon Clyburn on the back for work beginning the process of “AM revitalization” while acting chairman, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler writes in a blog post that he’s “committed to taking action in this proceeding so that AM radio will flourish while also preserving the values of competition, diversity, and localism that have long been the heart and soul of broadcasting.” Speaking about AM technical issues, Wheeler says, “In the coming weeks, I intend to conclude this open item with a Report and Order that will buttress AM broadcast service and ease regulatory burdens on AM broadcasters. The proposed Order would adopt specific measures to addressfccnew practical problems and interference-related issues that have long plagued AM stations across the country. If adopted, these measures will enable AM stations to operate more efficiently in today’s spectrum environment. For example, the proposed Order would give stations more flexibility in choosing site locations, complying with local zoning requirements, obtaining power increases, and incorporating energy-efficient technologies. These actions will help to ease some of the technical limitations that have hindered AM stations in serving their listeners.” In response to Wheeler’s announcement, the NAB’s EVP of communications Dennis Wharton comments, “NAB is grateful Chairman Wheeler has announced plans to circulate an item to his FCC colleagues designed to revitalize AM radio. AM broadcasters have uniquely served local communities for nearly 100 years. The time is ripe for the FCC to follow through on the tremendous efforts of Commissioners Clyburn and Pai so that AM broadcasters can continue to play a vital role in the fabric of our nation. We look forward to working with the chairman and the commissioners to help ensure the item ultimately adopted serves the American public in the best manner possible.”

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Copyright 2015 Liberaland
By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.

10 responses to FCC Plan To Revitalize AM Radio

  1. Ronald L April 14th, 2015 at 20:04

    while also preserving the values of competition, diversity, and localism
    that have long been the heart and soul of broadcasting.”

    “Preserving?” — ha! The FCC needs to RESTORE those things!

    AM radio has almost none of those three things anymore.

    I think single most important act the FCC could do is give licensing priority to locally owned, locally created radio.

    • Kick Frenzy April 14th, 2015 at 23:57

      To be fair, he did refer to “broadcast” in general on that point.
      And it’s kinda hard to come by diversity when only 5 stations come in clear enough to hear at all.
      (At least around me, the AM landscape is pretty barren.)

      Not to say they shouldn’t encourage more local and diverse programming/stations.

  2. Warman1138 April 14th, 2015 at 21:35

    Comcast and Murdoch will be happy.

  3. peacedreamer April 14th, 2015 at 23:47

    Support for local radio stations is welcome but in today’s corporate control of news & programming it seems doubtful the FCC will make meaningful change.

  4. Kick Frenzy April 14th, 2015 at 23:58

    Well… that’s weird.
    Just yesterday I was wondering what it would cost to start an AM station.

    But after reading some of the technical requirements, I don’t think I want to bother… lol

    • illinoisboy1977 April 15th, 2015 at 14:25

      Set up a podcast/webcast. If your content is good and you acquire enough subscribers/listeners, you can score sponsors and make a decent enough living. Plus, on the internet, you don’t have to worry about broadcasting regulations or licenses. I’ve almost got my own recording/webcasting studio set up. You can go as cheap, or as expensive, as you want. You can use a simple USB mic on a laptop, or you can set up a full studio with a sound mixer, multiple mic stations and a dedicated PC for recording and/or webcasting. If mass media is your passion, go for it!

      • Kick Frenzy April 15th, 2015 at 14:58

        Y’know… that’d not a horribad idea.
        I’ve thought about it in passing before, but seeing it written out here is making me think about it again.

        Thanks! :)

        (Any links or anything on how to legally play music? Like, are there rules to follow for that, that are different from radio broadcasting?)

  5. fahvel April 15th, 2015 at 03:04

    does this mean that am stations that once offered progressive radio might come back?

  6. rg9rts April 15th, 2015 at 04:54

    Just keep AM for the wingnuts and leave FM alone….the top 40 format won’t fly today

  7. Snick1946 April 15th, 2015 at 10:33

    The right wingnuts did for Am radio what they did for the GOP. Broadcasters just let them come in and take over, ratings soared while American politics were poisoned for a couple of decades. They’ve run their course now and I agree it’s a smart move to do something to rescue this medium. I was a radio hobbyist as a kid and still am somewhat- I grew up listening to distant AM stations nightly, most carrying programming of local interest or quality music. Now it’s all a bunch of canned talk shows pedaling hate. We can do better.

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