Repost of AM thoughts

[clouseau]

I posted something similar to this prior to the board outage. It was lost so I'll try and recreate it. IF you saw it before, it's not a consipracy, just a board crash.

Maybe we should kill AM-HD.

That's right, you heard me say it. Maybe it should just die. Clearly it has problems. And clearly a good deal of AM stations don't want it. Especially the little guys.

As I go on, some of you will think this is sarcasm. It's not. It's a no BS look at AMHD, AM Analog and radio as a whole.

First off, I believe the days of AM radio are liimited. VERY limited. As big radio gets out of AM, station prices will plummet. All Access had a sale listed today for WCIN. This 4500 watt day 300 watt night AMer sold for $600,000. That's right, just over half a mil. For a station with a Cincinnatti COL. Times are getting scary. Station prices are off 50% according to one article I read. I believe it. It won't improve. The typical radio owner today can not make a living on AM. Some will say they can. I believe them. They're not typical.

Based on the ease of moving the last few "heavy hitter" news talk formats to existing FM properties, I see "Big Radio" not needing AM anymore. Are there viable AM stations? Absolutely. But big radio is slowly turning AM in to a simulcast of FM. And that's the middle of the end for AM radio. How's this for a solution.

AM radio loses HD. All HD transmissions are to be discontinued by 12/31/2014. This should allow for big broadcasters to write down their investment without taking a huge one time hit. If we believe what is written on this board, most of the AMHD will end in days if not weeks. This comes with a price...

All new FM stereo radios manufactured must include AM stereo. All FM radios Must include AM. Ditto for FM HD radios which must have AM Stereo. Date for al of this is 12/31/2010. That's what AM gets. Mandatory Inclusion. If they're smart, they'll embrace this. if we don't mandate it, AM will die. We're seeing a few more "FM Only" units every year. That won't end on it's own. Now they need some FCC allocation help.

AM radio is getting too crowded. There can not be any more AM stations granted at all, ever. Exemption for White space areas. AM stations may increase their facilities, but no new ones. License lost = No more use of that freq in that area. Just like class D. Like FM Class "D" 10 watters or AM "D" Daytimers. No More.

AM may move to FM translators. Move, not add. We're thinning the herd here. A's, B's, C's, and D's would be eligible. COL coverage rules still apply. All existing STA's for AM on FM will not be renewed past 12/31/2010. I suspect you'll see a lot of d's and a few c's. D's will do it to get 24 hours. Existing transslator spacing rules apply.

This would leave the AM band as a lower fideilty broadcast band, with stereo. Similar to Longwave in the EU. While it won't help much, it might allow the strong to survive.

I know Savage might not agree with all of this, but I suspect he will like a lot of it.

Clouseau

 

[Savage]

I'd agree with most of what you propose, but not necessarily with some of the supporting arguments.

Of course I do NOT agree that "AM is dead" as is so often repeated here. Listeners will go where there is a service which meets their needs. I know you and a few others disagree (Gleason/Eduardo being the most strident example) but if there is sufficiently compelling content, listeners will find it - AM, FM, XM/Sirius or SW.
This has always been the case. Always will be. I won't tire you with anecdotes about how many times I've been told "with great conviction" over 42 years in this biz that "AM is dead/dying," "radio is dead/obsolete/dying," etc., etc. Believe what you will, and it will mostly come true - for YOU, and not necessarily for others. As Henry Ford said: "Whether you believe that you can succeed or you will fail - you're right."

Footnote: of course WCIN went for $600K. If you know anything about this facility, you're not surprised. So it's a Cincy COL - it still doesn't cover the market, or even a significant portion of it.

I think that appropriate "herd-thinning" makes sense if (a) it's done voluntarily, with AM facilities sunsetting a year or so after turning on a sister FM, and (b) the new facility is LICENSED - IOW it's not a "translator" as that facility is currently called. Otherwise the AM operator could turn in his authorization only to be orphaned out of his FM spot a couple of years (or less) down the road with other facilities changes. I do agree that there are too many AMs. (For example I think Boston needs at least one less 50kw operation in the middle of the dial.) But Sirius-ly, folks, there are too many ridiculous unused signals on the air. A 250-watt 3-tower daytimer at 1580 that does nothing but simulcast an FM sister could be dispensed with, certainly.

Ditto on your recommendations regarding receivers. Should have been done fifteen years ago.

As far as AM-HD: of course I have an agenda, but all nighttime IBOC should discontinue in any case where there is a pending interference complaint. There should be a total revision in the mechanism by which complaints are handled. In case a complaint is filed, the burden of proof should immediately shift to the IBOC station to conclusively prove that NO interference is being caused to the complainant - and nighttime HD should immediately cease until the case is made to the satisfaction of the Commission and the complainant's consulting engineering firm. The Commission staff should have NO discretion in implementing this procedure. Complaint? OFF. Until you prove "no interference." Period. This would provide a more equitable and fair balance of bargaining power.

 

[clouseau]

I'd agree with most of what you propose, but not necessarily with some of the supporting arguments.

Of course I do NOT agree that "AM is dead" as is so often repeated here. Listeners will go where there is a service which meets their needs. I know you and a few others disagree (Gleason/Eduardo being the most strident example) but if there is sufficiently compelling content, listeners will find it - AM, FM, XM/Sirius or SW.

I hope you're right. I believe this wil be more of a local phenomenon actually. But WCIN is just an example. KDAE went for $500000 7 years ago. Not the best signal and not anywhere near the same market. Station prices are in the tank. I'll take your word on WCIN. When I looked it up before I posted it has some pretty deep nulls, but struck me as coverage as good as litltle urban stations like WHAT which went for $6 mil. Philly isn't Cincy, but still it.s a bargain at $600K IHMO.

I won't tire you with anecdotes about how many times I've been told "with great conviction" over 42 years in this biz that "AM is dead/dying," "radio is dead/obsolete/dying," etc., etc.

Agreed no doubt. However with this new migration to FM, I'm afraid there will truley be nothing left. There's no such thing as an AM ony radio anymore AFAIK. IMHO, if something isn't done NOW to "Retain" it's viability, it'll just wander off the dial. As in "Not in every radio".

Believe what you will, and it will mostly come true - for YOU, and not necessarily for others. As Henry Ford said: "Whether you believe that you can succeed or you will fail - you're right."

Footnote: of course WCIN went for $600K. If you know anything about this facility, you're not surprised. So it's a Cincy COL - it still doesn't cover the market, or even a significant portion of it.

Looked like it to me, but I Don't know the faciltiy. Lots of towers. Not so many watts.

I think that appropriate "herd-thinning" makes sense if (a) it's done voluntarily, with AM facilities sunsetting a year or so after turning on a sister FM, and (b) the new facility is LICENSED - IOW it's not a "translator" as that facility is currently called. Otherwise the AM operator could turn in his authorization only to be orphaned out of his FM spot a couple of years (or less) down the road with other facilities changes.

Good point I should have specified that. Obviously the "Licenseability" needs to survive. Otherwise you have the LPTV situation which really prohibits a financial relationship to build.

I do agree that there are too many AMs. (For example I think Boston needs at least one less 50kw operation in the middle of the dial.) But Sirius-ly, folks, there are too many ridiculous unused signals on the air. A 250-watt 3-tower daytimer at 1580 that does nothing but simulcast an FM sister could be dispensed with, certainly.

I'd agree with that. Although I don't know how they get divested of it. Kinda Sux to juist say you lose...

Ditto on your recommendations regarding receivers. Should have been done fifteen years ago.

As far as AM-HD: of course I have an agenda, but all nighttime IBOC should discontinue in any case where there is a pending interference complaint. There should be a total revision in the mechanism by which complaints are handled. In case a complaint is filed, the burden of proof should immediately shift to the IBOC station to conclusively prove that NO interference is being caused to the complainant - and nighttime HD should immediately cease until the case is made to the satisfaction of the Commission and the complainant's consulting engineering firm. The Commission staff should have NO discretion in implementing this procedure. Complaint? OFF. Until you prove "no interference." Period. This would provide a more equitable and fair balance of bargaining power.

While the issue would be moot, I agree that should happen now in areas of demonstrable interference in the service area. Similar to the FM translator or LPTV rules. The problem is, those rules aren't ealy being adhered to all that well either. Also the FM rules call for cessations of operation if any interfeence occurs anywhere at any time under any conditions. That's a little over the top IMHO.

Clouseau

 

[Savage]

Yeah, Inspector, granted: some more thought would have to go into how to get rid of "junk" AMs like the hypothetical daytimer on 1580 with 3 towers, deep nulls and no presunrise or post-sunset. Again, it doesn't show in Arbitron and generates zero revenue since it consists of a sunup-sundown simulcast of a sister FM.

Perhaps the FCC could offer these licensees an incentive to nudge these good-as-dead-AMs over the cliff. Like, turn in your AM authorization and get five or ten years of free or reduced FM spectrum annual fees.

This plan would avoid the Commission's having to go to Congress and play politics, like getting some kind of income tax break, which would be akin to asking that pit bull - could I please have that New York Strip you're chewing on, pretty please? In this way broadcasters could "thin the herd" right here "in the radio family," so to speak.

Or maybe someone else has a better idea - I dunno. I think you do have a valid point that we'd be better off without "nuisance" facilities keeping the noise floor high. How many of you guys know of some weed-infested nearby AM site which has been operating with illegal pattern/power, excessive modulation (or none) for years and offers "programming" which is probably literally heard by noone? (I'd be willing to bet: most of you.) The operators can't bring themselves to just turn it off because it is, after all, an "asset" and somebody just might come along with an idea to make money with it. The licensees doubt it - but cling to that hope. If they could get something of value (fee-free period) and reduce operating expenses in their cluster, they just might do it. Whaddya think?

 

[clouseau]

I agree in principle, but I don't know how to do it. I know I'm talking out of the wrong orafice here, but should a "Simulcasting" rule be put back in effect? If these things became too much of a PITA to operate, then perhaps they would just go away. I VERY leary of the law of unintended consequence here, though.

I wonder about the feasability of your "Regualtory" rebate. Great in concept, but we both forgot one thing. The FCC LIKES more stations. They make more money. They can say their doing a bigger job. And if they don't have enough money, they just charge us more.

More stations = more importance in the governemnt. We might find out that fewer stations is totally against FCC internal goals.

Is there some unintended consequence from disallowing simulcasting for more than say 4 total hours a day (Which should cover news and stuff) Perhaps 8 hours a day max within a weekly period. IOW 56 hours of Simcasting per week. That would allow "Walking away" on weekends if you programmed individually Mon-Fri.

Does this solve the problem and not become an albatross to good guys?

Clouseau

 

[4dude]

Maybe we should kill AM-HD.

INDEED..BUT NOT JUST ON AM!

 

[KB1OKL]

Maybe we should kill AM-HD.

INDEED..BUT NOT JUST ON AM!

It's already dead on both bands, just still on life support.

 

[Savage]

You make a good point about restricting simulcasting, Inspector. It's pretty much beyond historical dispute that the onset of mass-appeal programming (at the time, "Top 40") on FM directly followed the FCC's restriction on AM-FM simulcasting in 1966. IIRC the limit was 50% of AM operating hours in markets over 25,000.

In this case, the shoe would be on the other foot - the band being "rescued" would be AM, not FM.

It's also indisputable that the most rapid decline in AM's fortunes immediately came on the heels of the FCC's lifting the simulcast restrictions in 1986. In most cases smaller AMs in AM-FM combos instantly dropped individual programming and started simulcasting sister FMs.

 

[clouseau]

It's also indisputable that the most rapid decline in AM's fortunes immediately came on the heels of the FCC's lifting the simulcast restrictions in 1986. In most cases smaller AMs in AM-FM combos instantly dropped individual programming and started simulcasting sister FMs.

I just threw it out there, Bob. You make greast points about it historically. One's I hadn't really considereds when I suggested it. Perhaps the best question would be, is it politically possible to get that "Simulcasting allowed" reversed in todays "Big Boy" radio environment.

What's sad is that reversing that rule could also create some good additional sources. KONO in San Antonio comes to mind. 5KW Day 900 night, good solid signal, readable here in Corpus Christi daytimes although way out of market. 100% Simulcast of KONO-FM. What a waste.

As I continue to look at this, I'm wondering what the unintended consequences would be. I'm not coming up with much, although I can see a minimal loss of service (Which I guess was the point in the first place)

Clouseau

 

[4dude]

It's already dead on both bands, just still on life support.

Yup...Amazing seeing as many keeping it as there are

 

[JohnnyElectron]

I agree with the mandate: All FM Stereo radios must include AM Stereo that meet AMAX standards. A great start on how to keep the AM band sounding decent without adjacent channel hash!

 

[KB1OKL]

I agree with the mandate: All FM Stereo radios must include AM Stereo that meet AMAX standards. A great start on how to keep the AM band sounding decent without adjacent channel hash!

Yup I second that motion.

 

[elchupacabras]

I third that with one caveat: not just AMAX but AM Stereo. All radios with FM stereo on them would have to have AM stereo on them. AM stereo would be a mandate for all AM Broadcasters. Despite their good intentions, CC be damned on this issue.