There’s genuine consternation in the news/talk landscape about the future of AM radio. Many auto manufacturers have begun removing the band from future and electric models, while members of Congress urge them to continue utilizing AM/FM radio. 1210 WPHT Brand Manager Greg Stocker shared his thoughts on the movement Wednesday morning.
During Kayal and Company, where he produces and serves as the third microphone on the station’s morning program, Stocker said the problems facing news/talk radio partially stem from a reluctance from the industry’s largest corporations being hesitant to put the format on FM stations.
“I’m at a point in my career that I really don’t care. There are companies — I’m not saying this one — that are afraid to put this type of radio on FM,” Stocker said. “That’s the God’s honest truth. They’re afraid. It’s not like we’re not profitable, because we are. It’s not like we don’t have ratings, because we do. If you put us on an even playing field with everybody else — the Audacy app, YouTube, stuff everyone can get — we compete with the best of the best. So we have two hands tied behind our backs by being on the AM dial. You put us on an even playing field — FM, Audacy app, YouTube — we can compete with anybody. But there are companies who are scared to put content like this on the FM dial.”
The 1210 WPHT brand manager then mentioned the potential pushback from listeners and advertisers is what keeps companies from moving news/talk, specifically conservative talk, to the more prominent FM bands.
“Music is safe. Sports radio is safe. That type of stuff is safe content. This is not safe content. So they don’t want the headlines of ‘Kayal says something stupid’ or ‘Zeoli says something dumb’. They don’t want the headache of that. So keep us over here on AM, we’ll be a ’boutique’ and we won’t ruffle any feathers. It’s infuriating to deal with on a day-to-day basis, and I’m dealing with it more and more on this end of the spectrum. I’m just being honest with you guys. It is a constant battle.”
Stocker then read a comment from a YouTuber viewer that said she hoped that 1210 WPHT — owned by Audacy — would move to the FM dial when sister station Newsradio KYW made the transition as well.
“You know what? So did I,” Stocker said. “But (that’s) not my decision.”
Subsequently, Stocker was celebrating his 20th anniversary of working at Audacy, previously Infinity, CBS Radio, and Entercom, in Philadelphia.
