Saving AM by Eliminating It

[trusty]

With the growth of southern and western cities beyond many of their AM station’s nighttime reach, poor ground conductivity, decreasing number of listeners, IBOC and other interference, AM radio is dying. This is proven by more stations (WIBC, WTOP, etc.) jumping to FM.

So, let’s move to a perfect world where no station is left behind. Say, after TV moves to digital (and digital chs. 2-6 are reallocated), the FCC opens up the lower FM band for existing AM stations to move there. With every AM frequency being given an FM frequency, the band would look something like this:

mhz
54–60.5 … existing TV channel 2
60.7–71.9 … existing AM 540-1090
72–76 … fixed/mobile/radio astronomy/aeronautical navigation
76.1–87.9 … existing AM 1100-1700

So your new FM tuner would go from 60.7 – 107.9 mhz with existing AM stations moved to the lower part of the FM dial. (With the reallocation, the FCC could probably put more AM stations in the new FM band or not need as much of the FM band, but I’m trying to keep it simple so I can understand it.)

SO, do you think it would work? Is there a downside to it? How do you think your market would react and utilize this opportunity? Would it open the door for more formats? Should the AM clears be allowed to continue on AM for travel and/or emergency purposes?

Basically, what do you think the results would be in your market in one year after the AM stations moved to FM?

 

[davideduardo]

Basically, what do you think the results would be in your market in one year after the AM stations moved to FM?

There are 700 to 900 million radios in the US. About 20% are in cars, and the average car age in the US is 8 years.

So it would take a decade or more to replace those radios, assuming the public valued the few viable AMs enough to buy new radios. That's unlikely, especaially since the people who listen to AM at all are predominantly over 55.

The good AMs will migrate to FM. The band will remain for ultra niche uses for a good time.

 

[trusty]

Thank you, David. I always enjoy reading your posts which are chock full of good information. I think we all know the present state of AM radio and its direction.

Now, if you want to actually answer the question(s), I would appreciate your view.

 

[JimmyJames]

Could AM perhaps become accessible for niche and experimental programming? It's something I've pondered lately.

 

[davideduardo]

Thank you, David. I always enjoy reading your posts which are chock full of good information. I think we all know the present state of AM radio and its direction.

Now, if you want to actually answer the question(s), I would appreciate your view.

MAybe that was not clear: if the AM band is moved, the profitable big stations will be forced to move to FM to save the format and billlings. That will leave only niched players for the AM band stations that do not move to FM for whatever reason. And people will not buy new receivers unless there is something of good perceived value to them... AM with traditional religion and niche ethnic and such will not be a strong pull.

 

[trusty]

We seem to be comparing apples and oranges because I didn't make myself clear; sorry about that.

Let's take the AM band out of the picture. All AM stations would be required to move to FM much like all TV stations are required to go digital (The govt. would even provide assistance to smaller AMs to make the move.), and set makers would be required to expand their FM tuners while not having to include the AM band. Adequate notice is given to everyone. :

So, after the limitations of the AM band are left behind and all things being somewhat equal, the success of a given station would depend on its programming, creativity, good management, etc. - not on technical quirks.

How do you see your market one year after the change is made? Which stations would succeed (given the chance of a level playing field)? Which ones would change formats? Which ones would take risks, and which ones would play it safe?

Many options and angles here - and probably more questions.

 

[jabba17]

I've always thought that the FM band needed to be expanded. And I think that many existing AMs should be given first crack--and the ownership limits would still apply at the current levels, so CC et al. can't add stations in maxed-out markets.

Of course, Big Radio will fight this--CC most of all. I think that the risk of newcomers entering the market with viable signals will scare them off more than the possibility of maxing out markets that aren't already maxed out.

Isn't Canada doing something to push AMs over to FM?

The FM x-band will flounder for a while, until there's enough receivers out there. Fortunately, FM-X would be much cheaper to add to existing receiver designs than HD, and wouldn't require special high-gain antennas like HD does.

Now, counterpoint: There hasn't been a mad dash to the AM x-band, despite good saturation of compatible receivers. While I think it was wise to limit AM-X to 10k day/1k night, that's still not good enough to compete coverage or quality-wise with FM, a class A/clear AM, or even a powerful non-clear AM.

I do think that the AM band is trying to serve too many purposes. AM can do clear channel, skywave DX broadcasting. FM cannot. AM can also serve micromarkets with low-power stations--so can FM (either LPFM or conventionally). Both AM and FM can serve large markets--FM very well, AM not well at all unless you're a class A clear (especially at night). This last point is what will scare Big Radio.

Maybe we need to get the regional stations off of AM, put them on FM where they will be happier, and leave AM to the class A clears and the little 1000W or less stations. The class A clears could get their night skies back--maybe allow them to up power to 100k or more--and the little stations could enjoy a little less chop in the water.

 

[BobMSmith1959]

With the growth of southern and western cities beyond many of their AM station’s nighttime reach, poor ground conductivity, decreasing number of listeners, IBOC and other interference, AM radio is dying. This is proven by more stations (WIBC, WTOP, etc.) jumping to FM.

So, let’s move to a perfect world where no station is left behind. Say, after TV moves to digital (and digital chs. 2-6 are reallocated), the FCC opens up the lower FM band for existing AM stations to move there. With every AM frequency being given an FM frequency, the band would look something like this:

mhz
54–60.5 … existing TV channel 2
60.7–71.9 … existing AM 540-1090
72–76 … fixed/mobile/radio astronomy/aeronautical navigation
76.1–87.9 … existing AM 1100-1700

So your new FM tuner would go from 60.7 – 107.9 mhz with existing AM stations moved to the lower part of the FM dial. (With the reallocation, the FCC could probably put more AM stations in the new FM band or not need as much of the FM band, but I’m trying to keep it simple so I can understand it.)

SO, do you think it would work? Is there a downside to it? How do you think your market would react and utilize this opportunity? Would it open the door for more formats? Should the AM clears be allowed to continue on AM for travel and/or emergency purposes?

Basically, what do you think the results would be in your market in one year after the AM stations moved to FM?

This is exactly what I'm talking about of what I've heard awhile back on a talk radio show i heard a few years ago.
You should go and check out my posting on this subject.

Just follow this link below

http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,108527.new.html#new

 

[SirRoxalot]

If you're going to make everyone buy new receivers anyway, why not use the bandwidth to extend wireless Internet reception to everyone who can currently receive AM radio? Then they can stream any radio station - or other content provider - that they like. Note that this would be one-way Internet. You'd still need some sort of access to upload to the Internet.

 

[Nate Wesley]

There are 700 to 900 million radios in the US. About 20% are in cars, and the average car age in the US is 8 years.

So it would take a decade or more to replace those radios, assuming the public valued the few viable AMs enough to buy new radios. That's unlikely, especaially since the people who listen to AM at all are predominantly over 55.

The good AMs will migrate to FM. The band will remain for ultra niche uses for a good time.

I think trusty's scenario might have been more workable than the current rollout of HDRadio. In either case you'll have listeners replacing their current radios. But engineering and licensing issues at both ends, transmission and reception, would seem to be simpler. (I'm halfway assuming that traditional analog transmission won't be replaced by IBOC broadcasting.)

If done right, you could probably migrate the profitable AMs to FM and provide extra spectrum for more non-profit community broadcasting (either on the expanded FM band, or the newly vacated AM band). What do you think, Mr. Eduardo?

 

[klutch00]

Isn't Canada doing something to push AMs over to FM?

I understand this to be the case, particularly with many medium signal stations (5-10 Kw).

The FM x-band will flounder for a while, until there's enough receivers out there. Fortunately, FM-X would be much cheaper to add to existing receiver designs than HD, and wouldn't require special high-gain antennas like HD does.

Now, counterpoint: There hasn't been a mad dash to the AM x-band, despite good saturation of compatible receivers. While I think it was wise to limit AM-X to 10k day/1k night, that's still not good enough to compete coverage or quality-wise with FM, a class A/clear AM, or even a powerful non-clear AM.

Maybe the 1610- 1700 band could be set-aside for smaller amateur broadcasting.

I do think that the AM band is trying to serve too many purposes. AM can do clear channel, skywave DX broadcasting. FM cannot. AM can also serve micromarkets with low-power stations--so can FM (either LPFM or conventionally). Both AM and FM can serve large markets--FM very well, AM not well at all unless you're a class A clear (especially at night). This last point is what will scare Big Radio.

Maybe we need to get the regional stations off of AM, put them on FM where they will be happier, and leave AM to the class A clears and the little 1000W or less stations. The class A clears could get their night skies back--maybe allow them to up power to 100k or more--and the little stations could enjoy a little less chop in the water.

I like this idea very much! Moreover, I think that many of what are now class 'C' and 'D' stations could and should be used for colleges and allow for programming that might not otherwise be heard. The part that some may not want to hear is that I believe that many if not most of the class 'D's should revert to daytime or limited time broadcast. Elsewhere on this board, I've spoken about moving or starting college radio stations on the AM band. Go to the following link:
http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,67579.msg863804.html#new
Now, the other thing that needs to be revisited is looking into a high quality analog AM broadcast standard like AMAX, which I didn't think got a fair shot! Also what AEs at clear channel stations should start doing is to court business from national advertisers (or local business with greater-regional interests) for evening programming.