That's what I'm advising people to do. If the question is AM or FM, the answer is FM 9 times out of 10. AM has a place and serves a need for some people, but it is not the future for most.
Don't lecture me about legal obligations that come with an FCC license. I don't know your background, but I've written checks to the FCC for renewals, transfers, you name it. I've dealt with surprise inspections. I've had to answer questions from FCC staff that have never set foot inside a Radio station and don't have 1/10th of my experience, yet I've had to suffer their attitudes and opinions when it comes to dealing with the FCC.
I've worked in two other heavily regulated businesses. What broadcasters go through is
nothing compared to going in front of Federal Reserve examiners, which is something I've had to do. And it's
nothing compared to having to file a rate case of hundreds of pages with a state utility commission, which is something I've participated in for utilities in three states, including California. Comparatively, broadcasters don't have many burdens other than staying within technical parameters, filing renewals on time, and keeping public files up to date.
And yes, some of the stations you are VERY familiar with in Central MO are in dire straits now, and in some cases, the AMs that are attached are delaying or killing potential deals that could save some people from going under.
Oh, I'm aware. What Alpha did in Moberly just scratched the surface. Many stations were not all that profitable to begin with. Central Missouri is a tough market, with too many stations chasing too few dollars, and it's been that way for a couple of decades at least. The only worse market in Missouri is Springfield, in my opinion.
There's one community up north that I'm very familiar with (still have relatives there) whose stations have been fine examples of public service but I fear for those stations' future due to the economic conditions of the area.
A couple of owners have died without being able to make a deal to get out while they were still alive. I've faced people across the table that think their stations are worth X, and are shocked to find out they're worth less than a third of what they want.
That's what I'm passionate about. I never said I don't believe in fulfilling EVERY legal obligation I have that comes with an FCC license.
But you were complaining about them.
I choose NOT to waste my time and money on AM if at all possible.
I suspect you're not alone, and I think it's a reasonable response. I think AM shutdowns have been a long time in coming because some greater fool would always come along, but I believe that's no longer the case. I don't like seeing it happen but I think we're going to see an accelerated pace of license cancellations in 2025 as others reach the conclusion you've reached. The usual fourth-quarter bump didn't happen last year for most.