Let us venture back to the business of radio. The fate of AM radio in cars is once again creating a buzz, a buzz electric car makers say is one of the reasons they’re not putting the AM band in their new EVs.
Apparently, the electric components in the EVs create static interference, making the AM signal unintelligible and useless.
On its face, that makes some sense to me. Plus, I know nothing of frequencies or signals and not much more about intricate technology.
So, I don’t see what the big deal really is if some cars don’t have AM radios. Some boats don’t, most tractors either, haven’t seen one on a horse lately.
I do not want nor do I advocate the elimination, disappearance, reduction of services or personnel connected to AM radio. I currently work in AM and FM radio, why would I support the demise of the AM signal? But can we be real, can we be accurate here?
Look around, it’s already begun. Volkswagen, Audi, Tesla, and Porsche have already pulled or will be pulling AM radio from their electric vehicles. Ford’s F150 Lightning and next year’s Mustang will also be minus the AM band.
From a business standpoint, I would assume the market for cars — as for many things — is largely directed towards the emerging as well as the current consumer. What do they want and what do they make use of? I think it’s fair to assume that a lot of people are or will be looking for EVs.
How many will be looking for or want AM radios in those cars?
The broadcast industry would be better served if they looked for the answer to that question.
Besides, what does AM have to offer at this point that FM does not? What is it that AM can do under these conditions that FM cannot?
The broadcast pharaohs and their political fronts say we must maintain the presence of AM radio in cars, even electric cars, because when it comes down to it, AM radio will be the source of moment by moment information when disaster strikes.
This week, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) announced his multi-pronged plan aimed at keeping AM in all vehicles. Along with urging automakers to go along, Gottheimer has called on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to add AM radio to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.”
According to his website, that move would “require all automakers, EV included, to have AM radio as a stock feature in their vehicles.”
Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) launched similar measures last year.
Let’s go back to the question: what can AM do that the FM cannot? And if there is something so crucial to the mix, why have and why do AM signals regularly cross their content over to an FM signal? More news, talk, sports, whatever pops up on the FM all the time. It’s already a haven for spoken word broadcast (I just love working in the term spoken word wherever I can).
In case of emergency and disaster, would an FM station not do what an AM brand would? If the tornado or missiles are heading our way would the FM just keep playing Lizzo and Dua Lipa? Will the Giants game go on uninterrupted while we drive along in ignorance?
If emergency information is on the AM only and not on the FM there’s only one reason that can be; the people in charge are not putting it there.
Listen to 1010 WINS in New York City at 1010 AM and then 92.3 FM, notice a difference? Where are you finding WTOP or KNX these days? Why? Maybe it all sounds better.
This is an old argument with an evergreen answer, these were studied, calculated business moves.
The idea? To find and attract as many listeners as possible.
Where do you put your best people, your best content? Where they are accessible, yes? Where an audience is likely to look for and find them, right? It’s hard to make them go looking for it.
For a radio, AM/FM or otherwise to be of any use, to do any good at all, it has to be on.
Look, there is no shame in wanting to keep AM radio from going away. It’s perfectly understandable. I have a 1941 Zenith upright in my living room. I love the way it looks plus it gets AM, FM and occasionally the drive thru at Arby’s.
But I also have an Alexa, a Bose, and I don’t know how many channels to watch and stream on my TV. I mean, unless you’re driving the overnight long-haul route to Butte, how many of us have CB radios in our cars? Or 8-track, cassette or CD players?
Try and buy a new car with a standard transmission. Most things in life have a generational shelf life. For now, the AM listeners are still in their cars, they’re certainly not at home.
But that will continue to change, at minimum it will evolve.
So how much effort and expense are we going to put forth to try and convince people they want something they obviously do not or prove to them they need something they don’t think they do?
Convince me. Convince them.
Bill Zito has devoted most of his work efforts to broadcast news since 1999. He made the career switch after serving a dozen years as a police officer on both coasts. Splitting the time between Radio and TV, he’s worked for ABC News and Fox News, News 12 New York , The Weather Channel and KIRO and KOMO in Seattle. He writes, edits and anchors for Audacy’s WTIC-AM in Hartford and lives in New England. You can find him on Twitter @BillZitoNEWS.
