2-3-2012
Earlier this week we ran a story about the NAB conducted an engineering study to help broadcasters determine how to save the AM Radio band which has been challenged of late with consumers moving more and more to their phones and tablets for content. The band is also challenged with technical issues making it nearly impossible to listen to when other delivery methods are much more clear. Here are your comments on the issue.
1-31-2012
The National Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors met this week for its regularly scheduled winter board meeting. And while 2012 is poised to be a year the NAB spends a lot of time on Television spectrum issues, several radio issues were discussed at the meeting. The challenge of what will happen to the AM dial has been a major topic for discussion lately and board members heard a report from Chief Technololgy Officer Kevin Gage (pictured) regarding an AM engineering study that was conducted.
The future of the AM band has become a concern for many broadcasters as consumers migrate more and more to their phones, tablets and crowded dashboards for crystal clear sounding content. Even broadcasters are moving away from the static sound of the AM band, flipping - or at least simulcasting - their news and sports products to FM dial where it's become fact they can pick up younger listeners and the sound quality is much better.
Some see the writing on the wall regarding AM due to that sound quality as well as other technical issues. Gage presented a summary of the AM Engineering Study, conducted in collaboration by NAB and consulting firm Hammett & Edison, to cover the full gamut of future technical options for AM broadcasters. The study is very lengthy and board members are going to need to read it and digest it before asking more questions and releasing it.
Gage also briefed the Radio Board on FASTROAD initiatives related to the development of HD Radio technology.
NAB Executive VP of Legal & Regulatory Affairs Jane Mago updated the Board on media ownership, the EAS national test and FCC order, public disclosure related to online public files and Enhanced Reporting Form and the pending Supreme Court indecency case. The NAB did not release any specific details about what Mango reported.
The future of the AM band has become a concern for many broadcasters. Kevin Gage presented a summary of an AM Engineering Study, conducted in collaboration by NAB and consulting firm Hammett & Edison, to cover the full gamut of future technical options for AM broadcasters. He also briefed the Radio Board on FASTROAD initiatives related to the development of HD Radio technology.
Kelly Cole provided an update regarding efforts to educate lawmakers on the benefits of radio chips in cell phones. Ms. Cole also briefed the Radio Board on
NAB's concerns related to felony streaming language in copyright legislation SOPA and "PROTECT IP" Act, now stalled indefinitely. Ms. Cole also provided updates on the status of issues related to performance tax and spectrum fees.
NAB CEO Gordon Smith said, "the unity between NAB Radio and TV Boards has been the hallmark of the association in the last two years, and has helped broadcasters achieve public policy goals. He contrasted NAB's unity with the partisan gridlock in Washington, where legislative efforts to reduce the deficit and protect copyrights have stalled."
It was also announced that Joel Oxley, senior regional VP and market manager, Hubbard Radio Washington Market; Rick Cummings, president - programming, Emmis Communications Corporation; Ronald Davis, president and general manager, KBOW-AM/KOPR-FM/KGLM-FM/KANA-AM/Butte Broadcasting and Eric Brown, general manager, KRVN-AM are rotating off the NAB Board.
(2/3/2012 1:09:54 PM)
Look at my comments on Docket 99-325 and I have outlined a whole plan for the AM band - requiring mandatory AM receiver requirements to meet AMAX specs, allowing for SuperPower AM's of 500KW-750KW to overcome the noise, and noise mitigation - forcing imported switching power supplies to meet RF snubbing. After all that, then it's up to US to put compelling niche music programs and local entertainment to bring people back to the AM band. And our sales staff to sell it and PD's to program it. It IS America's lifeline when the chips are down - AM radio.
(2/3/2012 10:58:22 AM)
The skies been falling on AM's since I started as a local salesguy for WJR-AM--OneA --50KW Clear Clear Channel. Then it was TV--then FM--then Cable--The beat goes on still. AM is still a vital service in 300 US Communities. Thx to US Govt , FCC -the AM Band keeps getting filleted for politically correct reasons. My partners and I have owned the 50KW giants like WGY to daytimer in Peterborough, NH.
AM's today are the lifeblood of Hispanic, Urban, Sports, Business, Talk/ News formats..ask Rush Limbaugh..
To start Cleaning up the static--terminate AM licenses that have been DARK for more than a year--give 50% IRS Tax donations for Am's being shut off--Curious how FM 's have just started to do All News in Major Mkts --after 50 yrs of saying it'd never work.
(2/3/2012 9:12:56 AM)
I am sick and tied of so-called RADIO people continuing to write obituaries for AM Radio!
The problem is NOT with the AM band; the problem is with US! We KNOW that nobody listens to AM because we don't; so we sell FM and actually discourage advertisers from investing in our AM; and then we blame the "band"! BS!
Look in the mirror! That is the problem with AM Radio!
By permission:
Warren Shulz writes:
AM radio will not make it without a migration to ch 5/6 TV….And then the fights will begin to who gets what. Bigger issue is receiver base. My guess if it were a success it could take a decade to migrate. Over air broadcast is doomed whether it be TV or radio.
37,000 i-somethings are sold every day. Apple can’t get out of the way. Public can’t get enough. Folks are NOT going back to broadcast concept. DTVs are losing spectrum to make more wireless spectrum which will further compete with DTV. DTVs will end up airing endless infomercials. It’s only a matter of time the broadcast tent as we know it will fold. Big killer for AM is Part 15 device noise floor rising to levels that you will need a 25mv/M signal to overcome the background noise in urban areas.
Just my opinion as I fade into the sunset.
Warren Shulz
WLS CGO
(2/2/2012 7:05:37 PM)AM began losing ground in its survival chances when the NAB, FCC and industry in general quit enforcing previous requirements to keep AM and FM bundled together on all receivers sold in the US. Now, FM only radios are everywhere. What happened the plans to merge the two bands together in a seamless package.
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