The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted changes in its FM translator rules to allow AM stations to use currently authorized FM translator stations to retransmit their AM service within their AM stations’ current coverage areas.
Specifically, AM broadcast stations will be allowed to use currently authorised FM translator stations (i.e. those now licensed or authorised in construction permits that have not expired) to rebroadcast their AM signals, provided that no portion of the 60 dBu contour of any such FM translator station extends beyond the smaller of: (a) a 25-mile radius from the AM transmitter site; or (b) the 2 mV/m daytime contour of the AM station.
In addition, AM broadcast licensees with Class D facilities will be allowed to originate programming on such FM translators during periods when their AM station is not operating. The FCC says it has take these steps to permit AM broadcasters to better serve their local communities and thus promote the Commission’s bedrock goals of localism, competition, and diversity in the broadcast media.
(Source: Federal Communications Commission)
on Jul 2nd, 2009 at 15:14
I wonder if we could also read this as a sign that AM broadcasting is going down hill in the US as well as in Europe.
on Jul 2nd, 2009 at 15:58
Haweeha, AM broadcasting in the USA has been declining for years. FM listenership is much stronger than AM listenership in most (if not all) cities and their suburbs. The only formats that truly thrive on AM are spoken-word formats such as all-news and all-sports. However, even all-news formatted radio is migrating to FM in select cities — Washington, DC where WTOP has left a 50 kW AM frequency for two FM frequencies.
on Jul 2nd, 2009 at 16:37
Richard, you are right that AM radio has been in decline. But it is still doing very well in major US metropolitan areas in terms of both audience and revenues.
Just check these revenue figures for Chicago radio stations from last year: http://tinyurl.com/chiradio . Both stations on the top of the list are AM news and talk operations (WBBM 780 and WGN 720).
If I’m not mistaken WBBM has the largest audience of all stations in Chicago. Having said that, all Chicago’s FM stations combined have a larger audience than all AM stations. I believe the similar trends can be observed in other large US cities.
The situation in Europe is totally different.
on Jul 2nd, 2009 at 17:09
I sure hope not. We could use communication we have.
on Jul 2nd, 2009 at 20:06
As the owner of two US AM stations ( WGTO and WDOW) I can tell you that yes yes yes AM is going downhill and very fast in the US.. The only AM operations doing well are those that are running 50KW from major cities. And all of those stations are talk based . Most are conservative \
on Jul 7th, 2009 at 17:25
I remember driving from Modesto to Yosemite park where during part of the journey not a single FM station could be received. The only AM with a readable signal was from San Francisco (I think 740 or thereabouts).
Also AM radio sounds quite a lot better in the US than in Europe thanks to the better bandwidth (as long as it\’s IBOC free at least).