NAB Joins Global Radio Ready Coalition

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, July 30, 2026 | 2:08pm CT

National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has joined Radio Ready, a global coalition working to ensure broadcast radio remains prominent and easily accessible in the dashboards of connected vehicles.

NAB becomes the first U.S.-based broadcasting organization to join the initiative, expanding Radio Ready's presence in North America alongside broadcasters from Europe, Africa and Australia.

The coalition was formed in response to the rapid evolution of in-car technology, which has made free, local radio more difficult for drivers to find on increasingly complex infotainment systems. Radio Ready seeks to keep AM/FM and digital radio visible and easy to use while giving broadcasters a unified voice in discussions with automakers, technology companies and policymakers.

"Radio has long been an essential part of the driving experience, delivering trusted local news, lifesaving emergency information and the entertainment Americans rely on every day," NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt said. "As dashboards evolve, ensuring broadcast radio remains accessible is more important than ever. By joining Radio Ready, NAB looks forward to partnering with broadcasters from across the world to ensure that free, trusted radio remains easy for drivers to find and use in the vehicles of today and tomorrow."

Bauer Media Audio Senior Vice President of Digital Tobias Nielson said Radio Ready represents the industry's unified response to changing in-car audio consumption, adding that NAB's participation strengthens the coalition's momentum in the United States.

European Broadcasting Union Head of Radio Wouter Quartier said the coalition's goal is to ensure radio remains easy to find and use in vehicles through a coordinated industry voice when engaging with automakers, digital platforms and policymakers. He called NAB's membership "an important step" in strengthening that global effort.