Congress Urged to Protect AM Radio, Listeners

posted on 3.28.2023

- TAB Notes Threat from Year-Round DST

After a handful of electric vehicle manufacturers confirmed plans to remove AM Radio from their new cars, broadcasters and other advocates for the band have begun urging industry leaders and policymakers to protect Americans’ access to AM Radio, noting its popularity with listeners and indispensable role in emergency communications.

Admonishments so far have come from the NAB and a sitting FCC Commissioner to a current U.S. Senator and former FEMA administrators, one of whom equated AM Radio in cars to life vests on boats and planes.

Some EV manufacturers, including BMW, Ford and Tesla, have opted to eliminate AM Radio from some or all of their new vehicles because of the cost of shielding against interference. 

Other manufacturers, including Chrysler, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai and Toyota, have confirmed they’re retaining the technology and incorporating the necessary interference protections to meet customer expectations.

NAB is educating Congress on the issue, developing additional resources for broadcasters to advocate directly, and launching a call to action for listeners and industry players.

TAB Opposes DST Bill, Notes Impact on AM Radio

Last week, TAB testified in the House State Affairs Committee against proposed state legislation that would require Texas to observe Daylight Saving Time year-round if Congress approves legislation allowing states to do so.

HB 1422 by Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, is being advanced by the travel industry which hopes to boost restaurant, golf and tourism revenues stemming from longer daylight hours in the early evening.

The measure contains no provision for observing a national time zone frame work or retaining consistency with adjacent states.

TAB TESTIMONY ON DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

If passed, AM Radio stations and their listeners would be severely impacted because the later start would greatly reduce the ability of AM stations to compete for advertising in the most important part of the broadcast day.

TAB noted other complications ranging from the scheduling of live TV events and major international sporting competitions, to advertising partnerships in the state’s six cross-border DMAs.

The bill was left pending last week but was voted out of committee on Monday. It still needs to clear two or three procedural hurdles before it could be set for a full vote of the House.

Questions? Contact TAB’s Oscar Rodriguez or call (512) 322-9944.

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