What's the deal with AM?

[Snafu]

Think bigger.

Everything on the AM band could find its way onto a combination of FM, HD, satellite, your cellphone, Wi-Fi and whatevery comes along to replace the Internet and still leave tons of room left over. In the future you will likely have at least two of these at your disposal just about at every turn. You probably won't be forced into pay satellite if you dont' want to go, but for right now its the most useful and most mobile alternative to what radio has de-evolved into.

LPFM has more inherent technical problems than AM digital so I don't see that as even a remote option.

Newspapers are still going to be around, but one of these days they are going to really see what their product is, what their business model really is and stop getting ink on your hands. They may even show up on some of the same delivery systems radio does. They'll just be the long form news in the local market.

For now talk and sports are slowly making their way over to the FM dial. By this time next year there won't be a pro sports team with its flagship on AM radio in Pittsburgh. That change is already here in larger markets and will find its way eventually into Central PA.

 

[pilot]

A few things could lead to more FM talkers. One is HD Radio, should it actually become widespread and viable for medium and small market owners.
It is a fact that radio listenership is declining. Some contend it's because of more choices - ipods and downloaded music, satellite radio, etc. Whatever the reason, if stations with a younger target listener find themselves on shaky ground, a format change to target a more mature audience is often a choice. FM talk could become an attractive choice. A could see a group owner pulling the AM talk programming and moving it to the FM, and putting something like music of your life on the AM.

Then again, in State College we just saw Smooth Jazz switch to CHR...

That's right. Smooth Jazz to CHR. Everyone trying to re-invent the wheel.

 

[shilton]

A few things could lead to more FM talkers. One is HD Radio, should it actually become widespread and viable for medium and small market owners.
It is a fact that radio listenership is declining. Some contend it's because of more choices - ipods and downloaded music, satellite radio, etc. Whatever the reason, if stations with a younger target listener find themselves on shaky ground, a format change to target a more mature audience is often a choice. FM talk could become an attractive choice. A could see a group owner pulling the AM talk programming and moving it to the FM, and putting something like music of your life on the AM.

Then again, in State College we just saw Smooth Jazz switch to CHR...

Nope...I think in this case it's trying to reinvent the "B"
That's right. Smooth Jazz to CHR. Everyone trying to re-invent the wheel.