The future of AM radio hangs in the balance as we learn more about what automakers plan to do with installing AM technology in new vehicles. According to The New York Times, most electric vehicles have dropped AM radio because EVs generate more electromagnetic interference than gas-powered cars, which can disrupt the reception of AM signals.
On Tuesday, Perry Michael Simon of AllAccess.com joined KOA 850 AM on “Colorado’s Morning News” with Marty Lenz and Jeana Gondek to discuss what the future holds for AM radio. Simon shared insight on how broadcasters can overcome the challenges of not being available in vehicles in the future.
Manufacturers like Tesla, Ford, and BMW have all removed at least some AM radio functionality.
“This is a trend, but there are a lot of things playing into it,” said Michael Simon. “One of the biggest problems for AM radio is that the electrical interference, just in the environment, has gotten much worse because there’s just so many devices or frequencies being used.”
Michael Simon said his own vehicle has an interference problem where he can’t get any reception on AM radio.
“The bottom line is that AM is a technology that has suffered based on the fact that there’s just a lot of noise out there, light bulbs, and devices and I think that that plays into the fact that you just can’t even go into a store and buy a radio anymore.”
Automakers are telling consumers that they can still stream AM radio on apps. Not all electric vehicles have dropped AM radio. An estimated 40 million Americans listen to AM radio.
