Here we are on the precipice of a new year. The media is filled with look-backs at 2018 and countdowns from the year past. Many of us use this ushering in of another year as a chance to reconsider, regroup, and make amends. And so there’s no better topic on this day than AM radio and its future – not just in the world of radio broadcasting, but across the entire media spectrum.
AM radio has taken its share of lumps over the past few years, as many broadcasters are moving their assets to FM or considering shutting down AM stations entirely. Today’s “Best of” post takes a nostalgic look back at AM radio, a medium that many of us grew up with. Enjoy the read, and your new year.
And remember to make those resolutions responsibly. – FJ
I know I may sound like a relic from another era, but chances are if you’re a Baby Boomer (or gasp – even older), you were inspired by AM radio as a kid growing up whether it was in a big city or a small town. If you’re a member of a younger generation, you may not even know that AM – or amplitude modulation – has a magic power. At night when the clouds are just right, AM signals have the ability to “skip” across geography, unlike frequency modulation (FM) which is line of sight. “Clear channel” stations had an even easier time being heard beyond their metro confines – often covering many states during the nighttime hours.
Many of us radio veterans remember those nights, lying in bed, where your trusty bedside AM clock radio pulled in signals from all over the U.S. As a boy in Detroit and not especially well-traveled, I learned how to pronounced Des Plaines (Des-planes) and Touhy (2E) by listening to Chicago radio stations like WBBM and WLS. Tuning in KYW in Philly (which came in “like it was next door”), I learned how to spell the quirky town of Conshohocken from listening to Phillips Ford commercials. It was from a jingle that got in your head (CON-SHO-HO-CKEN). At least, it got in mine.
It didn’t matter if you lived in Dallas or Des Moines, or a small town in Delaware – you were able to pick up big AM radio stations from faraway. And if you talk to today’s broadcasters on the other side of 50, many will tell you their careers were likely inspired by these booming, exciting blowtorches on AM radio that provided a soundtrack for our teens.
AM radio was where we first heard the Beatles, the Supremes, the Stones, Stevie Wonder, and even the Doors. Big AM Top 40 stations of the day – KHJ, WABC, CKLW, WLS – played all these cool rock songs, right next to Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Elvis, Bobby “Boris” Pickett, and the Singing Nun. And even though the fidelity of amplitude modulation is obviously technically inferior to that of FM, there was something very different and even romantic about hearing all those songs first on AM radio. All the big recording studios used AM radio-sounding speakers as they worked on their final mixes, knowing that’s where the music would first be exposed. They may have sounded cleaner years later on FM, but they sounded bigger on AM.
So, when Steve Goldstein posted a Wall Street Journal story the other day – “Why Nighttime Is The Right TIme For The Great American Road Trip” by Dan Neil – it sparked a reaction from lots of old radio hands on Facebook. One after another chimed in with call letters, personalities, and faraway cities that charmed them over AM radio during the evening hours decades ago.
But alas, there’s nothing very romantic about AM radio these days. While broadcasters did their best to salvage these facilities, mostly by switching to spoken word formats, there are fewer and fewer AM stations still thriving. And unlike those good old days where many AM stations were in hot pursuit of one another, there are just a handful still operating at meaningful competitive levels. Even the great stations feel a lot like high-end department stores anchoring malls on the poor side of town.
And so in this year’s Techsurvey, our new research director, Jason Hollins, came up with a fascinating idea to gain a better understanding of AM radio’s continued relevance. Over the years, we’ve identified new car buyers (or those in the market for a new vehicle). We then give them a list of in-car media features, and ask them to tell us which are most important to them.
We’ve always expressed broadcast radio as “AM/FM.” And it has always ended up at the top of drivers’ wish lists – ahead of connectivity features like Bluetooth, Wi-FI, and Apple CarPlay. It’s not just our radio-centric Techsurvey that shows broadcast radio ranking above newer features – everyone’s research reinforces its value at these high levels.
So, in our new Techsurvey 2018, we separated AM and FM radio for this question. And the results are perhaps predictable:
The chart tells the tale of these two broadcast radio platforms. On its own, FM hangs in well, deemed to be “very important” for eight of every ten respondents looking to purchase or lease a new car. AM, on the other hand, is mentioned by fewer than four in ten as a must-have feature, behind the CD player.
A solution for the AM radio problem? It’s a tough one, or it would have been solved years ago.
It turns out The Verge wrote a feature story about AM’s dilemma back in 2014 – “Can we save AM radio?” by Trent Wolbe. Its sub-heading – “Keeping amplitude modulation out of the dustbin of history” – is ominous and speaks to the precarious position of the platform nearly 5 years ago. Today’s AM’s health is even more tenuous.
The story charts then-FCC commissioner Ajit Pai‘s efforts to save AM radio, and concludes with the hope that perhaps today’s AM radio stations
could become what those early FMs once were – sandboxes used by pioneers, swashbucklers, and even wild-eyed entrepreneurs to try something very “unradio-like.”
In some ways, AM’s pathway may resemble that of my hometown of Detroit. A once-proud city that fell on the hardest of times is now on the comeback trail as young innovators flock to the city. Most find the environment agile, inexpensive, and inspirational. Like AM radio, Detroit has a rich history, having once played an important role in millions of lives. But that was a long time ago.
A palpable spirit of innovation pervades the Motor City these days – an attitude that would suit AM radio operators, whether they chose to experiment with their own properties, hire inventors to try new concepts, or lease their airwaves to wild-eyed devil-may-care artists looking for a palate on the airwaves.
Now the cynics among you may be thinking, “Isn’t it possible to do this on the Internet?” Or on HD2s? Why would anyone bother experimenting with AM radio at this point in time?
I’ll let Verge writer Wolbe answer that question:
“The AM band may eventually return to the Wild West feel that it had when it was first deployed in the early 1900s: a low-rent haven that artists and other cultural opportunists will inhabit and reinvent for their own devices. Imagine an instant, global communications medium free of regulation: it sounds a lot like the internet used to be.”
Is it even imaginable that a 12 year-old in 2018 would lay in bed at night tuning in an AM clock radio?
It may sound far-fetched, but remember it’s largely Millennials buying those antennas and rabbit ears to pull in local televisions stations without having to buy cable TV. There’s nothing hi-tech about that.
They even have a cool acronym – OTA – over the air.
Now that sounds a bit romantic.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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AM: It’s the thought that counts. We learned much about talk, baseball and music from our dashboards & transistor sisters. I’d still take an AM license because anything you program well can be heard worldwide on great sounding speakers. As I tagged my “Beatles & Before,” Everybody Gets It! A couple of years ago I assisted 50kw WCRN 830 Worcester with “You’re Hearing the NorthStar.” Sounds pretty good on the Mass Pike at night, heading home. Romance will always be parking and watching the submarine races. Happy New Year!
And to you, Clark!
In the words of The Oak Ridge Boys, “It’s Gonna Take A Lot of River”. In 2019 the 12-year old lying in bed at night will be playing Fornite with the noise from their computer/ipad drowning out anything on their AM radio. It’s technologically inferior with limited bandwidth and an increasing noise floor. It’s inferior content-wise with a very limited selection-either Rush, George Noory or a host of radio preachers trying to save the world one buck at a time. I lament the passing of a once vital, vibrant side of the medium. Growing up within 2 miles of 4 AM arrays in my hometown and cutting my baby-radio teeth on a handful of stations for the first 20 years of my career, I loved knowing if there was a thunderstorm approaching by just listening to the AM monitor. I loved hearing Bill Bailey, or John “Records” Landecker or Barney Pip. We got to experience the battles between WMGM and WABC. WLS and WCFL. “SEE KAY ELL DOUBLE-YEW” was a phenomenon for those of us in the northeast. WKBW up and down the East Coast was a lesson in FUN. When AM radio had to divulge itself of radio drama, the fun began with Top 40 radio. Not sure if Taylor Swift or Kanye would survive on AM today (except in Syracuse where Hip Hop Lives on 620AM).
Numerous shopping malls have closed over the past decade. Anchor stores (Sears, Penny’s, etc.) have closed. More people are shopping online. Even the worst digital online audio is better than what comes out of the AM speakers these days. In the 2019 radio race, AM is being pushed onto FM translators and many operators are putting their future on a miniscule signal because their once vibrant AM towers are putting out scratchy, noisy audio that’s really tough to listen to. If Commissioner Pai wants to save AM radio-they he and the commission need to address all of the problems that exist. Many still have AM radios -but day after day their use is being minimized. Sadly, it might be too late to fix it.
Dave, I’m with you. Sadly, the AM shipped may have sailed. And it’s not just a matter of whether consumers would come back to the AM dial. It is about whether today’s radio broadcasters would roll the dice on an AM station of any kind. I don’t think most would, and I’m not sure there’s a way to convince them otherwise. There are enough damaged, fledgling FM stations to worry about on a band that still has plenty of consumer activity. Thanks, Dave, and happy new year!
During the recent California fires, we were without a cell signal and no cable for 36 hours. Our house was over 2 miles from the closest fire, but the cell towers and cable switching points were down. I plugged in my old Sony boom box. KNX and KFI did an incredible job. KFI dumped their talk programming. Both AM stations partnered with TV stations for the duration. Both did outstanding work.
Our house was upwind of the fires, on the 2nd a fire broke out about a mile from us, we were getting smoke for the first time, I turned up KNX and they had a reporter an d helicopter on the scene, I listened to a play by of the containment of that fire.
Meanwhile the LA FMs gave some lip service to the fires and continued to play music while SoCal burned.
Not surprised. And while AM radio in many sized markets continues to provide valiant service in times of need, there aren’t enough emergencies or great AM stations to support the band. Appreciate the comment, Robert, and the perspective.
There was a time when turning an underperforming AM into a broadcast lab could lead to something of cultural significance. I’m reminded of the time when the owners of KUPD and KUKQ jettisoned a struggling country format for alternative rock on 1060 KUKQ. There’s a line in the Gin Blossoms “Found Out About You” that’s a shout-out to the station and for my generation it’s where we heard stuff like They Might Be Giants on the radio. Of course, the owners of the underperforming classical FM in Sun City blew KUKQ out of the water with a little station you might remember called The Edge… 😉
Today I think the place to reach those 18-34s craving something new is via streaming. All of the switching power supplies that power everything in our homes just throws out too much trash.
AM is doing a good job reaching immigrant populations, both making them feel at home and adjust to life here, but even those stations are starting to move from AM to HD-fed translators. There’s a couple of AM stations who used to thrive brokering programming where I live that now can’t get anyone to lease time from them because the Vietnamese and South Asian broadcasters have all shifted to FM signals. I hate to see stations go dark, but maybe the market is telling us something.
John, I think the market IS telling us something. In an age of radio scarcity, AM radio had a fighting chance. Now that anyone can stream or start a podcast, the equation has become a lot more challenging. I appreciate your comment.
I was actually thinking with all the podcasts out there, you could easily fill a week’s programming schedule with a station that plays podcasts. Yes, you can listen to them whenever you want with your smartphone or computer, but having a station that broadcasts them so that you can just turn it on and hear a variety of programming would be pretty interesting.
James, an interesting idea. Most are spoken word so fidelity isn’t much of a problem. Thanks for the thought & the comment.
AM radio died, because there are no good jingle companies left. And what good is AM radio without great jingles? Nothin.
Sam, now THERE’S a theory I dind’t think of. Thanks for commenting.
The mantra for successful digital marketing is – content is king. The same can be attempted for reviving AM radio – put good content on. There is a reason KNX, KFI, KMOX, WHO, etc. still do well. The AMs who’ve sunk (such as KGO, KABC, WABC) can all pinpoint how they offered far superior content in their glory days of decades past.
I couldn’t have said it better. AMs that have stayed in their lanes and invested in talent, shows, and content continue to be viable players in their markets. The trendline, however, on overall AM listening continues to be disturbing for the “platform” overall. Thanks for the comment, David.
There are some fun AM radio stations in the Denver area. The Best Sound is out of some late ’30’s refurbished console. It makes the house happy, brings back memories.
Craig, some markets’ AM stations continue to be vital. Appreciate the comment.
I wish I could listen to AM radio, but the power line interference from NYSEG is so strong it drowns out most of the distant stations.
You’re not alone, Dan. Many have expressed reception issues that have intensified. Thanks for the comment.
The only thing that will make some AM stations viable in 2019 and beyond is if owners and operators think beyond the limitations of sound quality and signal distance, and start to see their properties as content creators that have the ability to get unique and compelling content into the hands (or ears) of listeners across multiple platforms through podcasts, streaming, mobile devices, and smart speakers. With the ever changing technology landscape and the shifting paradigm of media consumption, AM (and FM) operators have a great opportunity to engage listeners and create revenue streams beyond their on-air signals. And the demand for digital will only continue to grow. Tivo, DVR’s, and services like Netflix and Hulu were game changers when it came to TV viewing. They created an on-demand culture where viewers were able to get what they wanted, when they wanted it, when it was convenient for them. That same desire for convenient, on-demand consumption of audio content is something radio as a whole needs to do a better job of embracing. At least if we in the industry want to remain relevant and connected to our listeners.
Dave, I couldnd’t agree more. Radio has watched newspapers and TV take the digital bullet – and both industries are in a world of hurt. Broadcasters have the ability to stem the tide. Thanks for the comment, Dave.
Mr. Jacobs… help me understand Trent Wolbe’s thought: “Imagine an instant, global communications medium free of regulation.” How does one accomplish that, given AM’s skip limitations and the fact that, despite deregulation running rampant in recent years, the federal govt will never release its oversight of terrestrial radio?
You’d have to ask him. 🙂
Here in Europe many countries have left AM bands for FM and DAB but several countries still transmit on AM ,the UK for carrying the excellent BBC Radio 4 ( though they state if the tubes deteriorate it will be close the AM service , they of course go solid-state ! ) , Spain still has many AM stations ( and a chaotic FM band ), Poland , Czech Republic , Luxemburg , French commercials , Iceland , Norway and Denmark for fishermen at sea , some locals in the Netherlands and Italy and our own RTE in Ireland – all still on AM , medium wave or long wave.
As in the U,S, terrible levels of RFI have been allowed to emanate from the myriad electronics now in use causing a much raised noise floor . No attempts are made to control such interference.
DAB is being rolled out in some countries but is having lots of problems with satisfactory reception especially in cars (automobiles ).
AM still has a life in much of Europe .
Des Walsh , Cork , Rep of Ireland
Des, thanks for the perspective. Interesting how AM manages to hang on. And I wonder if the same thing will end up happening here in the States.