Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Proposed Legislation Could Save AM Radio in Cars

26/05/2023

Proposed Legislation Could Save AM Radio in Cars Sports talk radio - not to mention the EAS - relies on the much maligned spectrum By Dan Daley, Audio Editor

Friday, May 26, 2023 - 7:00 am

Print This Story | Subscribe

Story Highlights

The first sports-talk-radio show in history launched in March 1964 on AM station WNBC New York, hosted by local broadcast-sports institution Bill Mazer. Drivers in the tri-state area tuned in in droves to hear Mazer wax wildly - his nickname was The A-Maz-In - on area NHL, NFL, and baseball teams.

Today, thanks to a bipartisan effort by a group of lawmakers, drivers will continue to enjoy Mazer's descendants the way God intended: in a part of the RF spectrum that emphasizes the adenoidal tonalities of the human voice but, like no other medium, imparts a visceral excitement to the audio-only narrative of sports.

The proposed legislation - scheduled to be introduced this month by Sens. Ed Markey (D-MA), Ted Cruz (R-TX-), and others - would require all new vehicles to continue to include AM radios at no additional charge. The lawmakers want to make it illegal for carmakers to eliminate AM radio from their cars, arguing that public safety is at risk.

The importance of AM radio during large-scale emergencies cannot be underestimated, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), the lead sponsor in the House, told Axios. It has, without a doubt and without interruption, saved lives and kept our communities informed.

Some carmakers have already eliminated AM radios as standard equipment on new cars; this year, Ford announced that it will remove AM radios from most 2024 models. Electric-vehicle manufacturers in particular argue that interference from their motors causes interference in the band.

However, nearly 50 million people still listen to AM radio, according to Nielsen figures provided by the National Association of Broadcasters. In fact, on May 23, Ford CEO Jim Farley declared that the automaker is reversing its previously announced plan to remove the AM radio from its vehicles, both electric and gasoline-powered, citing the importance of AM broadcast radio as a part of the U.S. Emergency Alert System (EAS).

The Sound of AM There is some consensus that AM radio brings a unique immediacy to broadcast sports and that a lack of an AM radio would put a serious crimp in the sound of broadcast sports on the radio.

AM audio is typically processed much more aggressively than FM, explains Jeff Keith, senior product development engineer, Audio Processing Development, Wheatstone Corp. Increasing the average modulation density not only increases AM service-area coverage - something it does not do for FM - but also adds urgency to the audio that likely has nothing to do with audio bandwidth. That same feeling of urgency created by aggressive audio processing can also add a bit of authority' to the audio. Bigger is better, or at least seems more important, and is the underlying psychological reason many stations process to be louder than other stations in the market.

Sports is generally a high-energy activity for both players and audience anyway, he continues. Hearing it on AM, processed hard' as most AM [broadcasts] do, adds even more energy to the listening experience, regardless of the audio bandwidth.

Aside from any technical reasons for it, though, Keith agrees that AM radio creates a particular ambience for broadcast sports: For me, hearing programming on AM brings back nostalgia for how things were back when I was first listening to radio. That nostalgia puts my brain in a place that FM has never been able to.

Fatal Flaws? Radio seems to attract the most rabid sports fans. In a study of 756 fans conducted in October 2022 by MESH Experience/WestwoodOne, a far greater proportion of AM/FM radio listeners said they are extremely/very passionate about sports, compared with TV viewers. The fact that AM radio endures this deeply into a digital era underscores its robustness.

Even so, it has potentially fatal technical and regulatory flaws. One issue is noise: the AM band is prone to interference from power lines, auto ignition, fluorescent lights, motors, CLFs, and any electronic equipment with a switch-mode power supply. Today, that includes almost everything everywhere. Weak signals are swamped by noise, and even strong signals can suffer.

On the regulatory side, AM stations lose listeners at night because the FCC makes some of them cut power or shut down completely to prevent interference to other stations on the same frequency. AM-signal propagation in the 535- to 1705-kHz range is cut drastically from day to night, which is also when less upper-layer ionization causes the AM signal to refract and skip hundreds or even thousands of miles, often creating interference with distant stations and requiring the use of complex and expensive directional antenna systems to solve the problem.

Because of the format's continued ubiquity and integration with the EAS, AM radio will apparently be part of the digital dashboard for the foreseeable future. In fact, Ford's Farley went one step further, saying that, for the automaker's two electric vehicles already released without AM-radio capability, a software update will be pushed to restore it.

And sports-radio stations that, like WSCR Chicago, which is branded 670 The Score, have incorporated their frequency into their name won't have to change their stationery anytime soon.
LINK: https://www.sportsvideo.org/2023/05/26/proposed-legislation-could-save...
See more stories from svg

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026

January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026 Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...

02/05/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Search, Faster Editing, and an AI-Ready Foundation for Modern Media

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

01/05/2026

NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to Integrate Dolby's Full Suite of Premium Picture and Sound Innovations

January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...

01/04/2026

DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION

January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...

24/03/2026

FCC Approves TV Station License Transfers to Gray

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

24/03/2026

Study: Globally HBO Max Is Most Widely Bundled Streaming Service

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

24/03/2026

Charter Communications Names John Lee Head Of Intelligence Ventures

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

24/03/2026

Intinor introduces enhanced SRT monitoring, HDR transport and NDI Advanced support at NAB Show 2026

Intinor introduces enhanced SRT monitoring, HDR transport and NDI Advanced suppo...

24/03/2026

Miri V410 Live 4K Encoder/Decoder to Make North American Debut at 2026 NAB Show

Miri V410 Live 4K Encoder/Decoder to Make North American Debut at 2026 NAB Show Brie Clayton March 23, 2026 0 Comments Powerful new solution for strea...

23/03/2026

Professional Fighters League & U-Next Renew Multi-year Partnership to Broadcast PFL Events Live in Japan

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has renewed its multi-year partnership wi...

23/03/2026

The Snow League Announces Google Cloud as Official Cloud and AI Partner to Power Personalized Fan Experiences Worldwide

The Snow League has named Google Cloud as its Official Cloud and AI Partner. The...

23/03/2026

Chyron Appoints Eric Wolff as Director of Venues Sales, North America

Chyron has appointed Eric Wolff as Director of Venues Sales, North America. Wolff previously served as Director of Broadcast Operations & Media Production for T...

23/03/2026

Chicago Sports Network, WCIU To Simulcast 10 White Sox Games

Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) and Weigel Broadcasting's WCIU (The U, ch. 26.1) will simulcast 10 Chicago White Sox games during the 2026 season, the compani...

23/03/2026

Cosm Appoints Jon Werbeck as VP, Head of Sponsorships

Cosm has appointed Jon Werbeck as Vice President, Head of Sponsorships. He will report to Corey Breton, Head of Venues, and will focus on corporate sponsorship ...

23/03/2026

CP Communications Partners with Mark Roberts Motion Control to Bring Robotic Camera Systems to Florida

CP Communications has announced a partnership with Mark Roberts Motion Control (...

23/03/2026

NAB 2026: Creators, Media Leaders, Storytelling Legends and AI Step Into the Spotlight as Lineup is Unveiled

NAB Show 2026, taking place April 18-22 (exhibits April 19-22) at the Las Vegas ...

23/03/2026

Bay FC Announces Multi-Year Partnership with Victory+ as the Official Streaming Partner

Bay FC and free streaming platform Victory have announced a partnership through...

23/03/2026

MLB, Google Cloud Debut AI-Powered, Real-Time Game Analysis With Scout Insights' in MLB Gameday

Gemini AI models will surface hidden context around pitches, matchups, rare stat...

23/03/2026

Behind the Mic: NBC Sports Announces MLB Opening Day On Air Lineup, Featuring Orel Hershiser, Al Leiter and More.

Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...

23/03/2026

SVG All-Stars: Alex McKeen, Senior Manager, Strategic Production Planning, TNT Sports

Growing from broadcast engineer to strategic planner, this Ithaca College grad h...

23/03/2026

Announcing the 2026 Sundance Institute | Sandbox Fund Grantees

16 Science-Focused Nonfiction Projects Selected for Funding LOS ANGELES, CA, March 23, 2026 - The nonprofit Sundance Institute and Sandbox Films announced toda...

23/03/2026

Celebrate 20 Years of Hannah Montana With Megan Moroney's New The Best of Both Worlds' Cover and More

It's been 20 years since Miley Cyrus introduced the world to Hannah Montana,...

23/03/2026

BOOM Library release Seasons of Earth: European Autumn

Made entirely from real natural recordings Aimed at sound designers and editors working in film, TV and game audio, the latest release from BOOM Library com...

23/03/2026

Klang.io launch Transcription Studio

Transcribe sheets, tabs or MIDI from audio files Klang.io have announced the launch of a new AI-powered software tool that's capable of detecting multip...

23/03/2026

RL10 and Orion Main Engine are Key to NASA's Historic Artemis II Journey to the Moon

An auxiliary target has been affixed to the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage f...

23/03/2026

Scripps To Launch Scripps Sports Network Streaming Channel

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

23/03/2026

IBEW Calls for Scrutiny of Skydance-CBS Layoffs and Proposed CNN Merger

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

23/03/2026

Bruno Mars Risk It All Music Video Captures Timeless Text...

Pro8mm, the Super 8 experts, provided cameras, Super 8 movie film, and scanning services for Bruno Mars' Risk It All music video. The debut single from Br...

23/03/2026

Matthews Intros Lightweight Aluminum Grid Clamps

Matthews, introduces their first aluminum grid clamp collection, engineered for the rigging needs of film, television and live production. Combining light weigh...

23/03/2026

Hacks, the multi-Emmy -winning Sky Exclusive comedy, returns to the UK for its final season this April

Monday 23 March 2026 Hacks, the multi-Emmy -winning Sky Exclusive comedy, retur...

23/03/2026

'Too Hot to Handle: Italy' Reignites for a Second Season With the Special Participation of Selvaggia Lucarelli

Back to All News Too Hot to Handle: Italy Reignites for a Second Season With th...

23/03/2026

How Autonomous AI Agents Become Secure by Design With NVIDIA OpenShell

Autonomous agents mark a new inflection point in AI. Systems are no longer limited to generating responses or reasoning through tasks. They can take action: Age...

23/03/2026

RT Statement on the Death of Sports Broadcaster Michael Lyster

RT is sad today to learn of the death of legendary RT Sport broadcaster Michael Lyster, who died this morning aged 71 years. Kevin Bakhurst, Director-General...

23/03/2026

RT Documentary On One wins its first ever dedicated music award

RT Documentary On One has scooped its first ever dedicated music award. At the 2026 Icelandic Music Awards, composer lfur Eldj rn won Release of the Year in t...

23/03/2026

Czechia v Republic of Ireland live on RT2, RT Player and RT Radio 1

Inside Sport, Liveline, Morning Ireland and 2FM DRIVE will all be in Prague to bring fans to the heart of the action Every Moment, Every GenerationRT | FIFA W...

22/03/2026

VSL update Synchron Woodwinds & Strings

Free updates now available VSL have just released some free updates that add some existing features to a selection of libraries in their expansive Synchron ...

22/03/2026

Live-Action Sins of Kujo' Premieres April 2: Main Trailer and Key Art Debut

Back to All News Live-Action Sins of Kujo' Premieres April 2: Main Trailer and Key Art Debut Entertainment 22 March 2026 GlobalJapan Link copied to cl...

21/03/2026

MPG announce new Impact Award

Presented to War Child UK's HELP(2) project The MPG (Music Producers Guild) have announced the launch of the MPG Impact Award, a brand-new honour that w...

21/03/2026

Eduardo Tarilonte's Ancient ERA Persia from Best Service

Microtuning support for Arabic, Persian & Turkish scales The latest release from Best Service brings together a selection of string, wind and percussion ins...

21/03/2026

New campaign from NAATI and SBS CulturalConnect highlights how we all deserve to be understood'

New campaign from NAATI and SBS CulturalConnect highlights how we all deserve t...

21/03/2026

Statement regarding Rhoda Roberts AO

Statement regarding Rhoda Roberts AO 21 March, 2026 Media releases SBS is deeply saddened by the passing of Widjabul Wia-bal woman from the Bundjalung Na...

21/03/2026

Survey: Fans Prefer Sports on Broadcast Over Streaming

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

21/03/2026

Graham Promotes Stephanie Slagle to VP, CRO & GM of WDIV Local 4

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

21/03/2026

Study: Repurposed Traditional TV Ads for CTV Is a Missed Opportunity

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

21/03/2026

Carr Backs Trump Army/Navy Game Executive Order

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

21/03/2026

Opponents File Emergency FCC Petition to Block Nexstar/Tegna Merger

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

21/03/2026

Eight States Ask for Court to Stop Nexstar/Tegna Merger

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

21/03/2026

Cine Gear Connect NY Ramps Up for March 28 - 2026

Cine Gear Connect NY, presented by Universal Production Services, is filling in the slate for a full day of panels, peers, learning the latest, and mixing it up...

21/03/2026

Studio Technologies Debuts New StudioComm System at NAB 2026

Studio Technologies Debuts New StudioComm System at NAB 2026 Brie Clayton March 20, 2026 0 Comments StudioComm Model 794 Central Controller and Model ...