Home Login RADIO ONLINE RSS Facebook
Advertisement

Lawmakers Send Letters to Automakers Over AM Removals


U.S. Congress
U.S. Congress

Reps. Bob Latta (OH-5), Greg Pence (IN-6) and 100 of their bipartisan House colleagues sent individual letters Monday to Ford, Volkswagen, BMW, Mazda, Volvo, Tesla, Polestar, Rivian, GM and Mercedes-Benz urging them to maintain AM radio in all vehicles. Previously, Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) wrote to a wider set of automakers and Monday's letters are addressed to those that either responded that they would be removing AM or that didn't answer whether they intend to keep AM in their newer model cars.

The letter from the lawmakers also poses a series of question to the manufacturers regarding their actions on AM removal and to "provide the details and the value of all federal loans, grants and tax incentives your company has received in the last 15 years."

The letter also reads, in part:

"In the case of natural disasters -- tornadoes, floods, wildfires and other local emergencies -- AM radio is a lifeline. It provides early warning, up-to-the minute local information needed to survive when these disasters strike, and ongoing, lifesaving information in their aftermath when the danger is often the greatest.

"According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), over 75 radio stations, most of which operate on the AM band and cover at least 90% of the U.S. population, are equipped with backup communications equipment and generators that allow them to continue broadcasting information to the public during and after an emergency. Most importantly, radio is free to all Americans, not requiring a subscription or a broadband connection."

In response to the letters sent to the automakers, NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt said in a statement, "NAB thanks Reps. Bob Latta (OH-5), Greg Pence (IN-6) and the 100 bipartisan signatories to this letter who are fighting to keep AM radio in cars. These legislators understand the critical role that AM radio plays in disseminating vital information to the public, particularly in times of emergency. Tens of millions of Americans listen to AM radio each month for its local and diverse content and we applaud these lawmakers for their commitment to their constituents who depend on AM."

Advertisement

Latest Radio Stories

Beasley Media Launches ''105.7 Maxima'' in Las Vegas
KOAS-FM (105.7 Maxima) in Las Vegas
KOAS-FM (105.7 Maxima) in Las Vegas
Beasley Media Group flips Urban KOAS-FM to "105.7 Maxima, Para Nosotros -- It's for Us," a new bilingual outlet tailored to the community of Las Vegas. The new format blends English and Spanish language pop hits from the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s. The station features More

U.S. Senate Shows Overwhelming Support for AM Radio Bill
AM/FM Radio Dial
AM/FM Radio Dial
In a significant bipartisan move, a filibuster-proof majority in the U.S. Senate has rallied behind the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, a piece of legislation aimed at ensuring AM radio remains a standard feature in all new vehicles. With 60 senators endorsing the bill, along with More

iHeartMedia Ups Jennifer Stocker to AP for Nebraska-Iowa
Jennifer Stocker
Jennifer Stocker
iHeartMedia elevates Jennifer Stocker to Area President for the Nebraska-Iowa Area, effective immediately. As AP, she'll have oversight for the Omaha, Des Moines, Sioux City, Davenport, Ogallala and Cedar Rapids markets. Stocker has been with iHeartMedia for over 25 years and joins the Nebraska-Iowa Area More
Advertisement

Quu Unveils the 2025 In-Vehicle Visuals Report
Quu Inc.
Quu Inc.
Quu Inc. has published its second annual In-Vehicle Visuals Report. This year's report provides an updated analysis of the integration of radio in the dashboards of the top 100 best-selling vehicles in the United States. The report offers a comprehensive database and an expanded vehicle analysis, featuring More

Study Finds AM/FM Radio Ad Wear-Out Virtually Non-Existent
Cumulus Media and Westwood One
Cumulus Media and Westwood One
The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) has long grappled with inquiries about the phenomenon known as "wear-out" in radio advertising, where ads lose effectiveness over time due to frequent exposure. To address these concerns, RAB enlisted ABX Advertising Benchmark Index, a pioneer in creative testing, to More

Audacy Launches Platform to Support Podcast Creators
Audacy Creator Lab
Audacy Creator Lab
Audacy has officially unveiled the Audacy Creator Lab during the Podcast Movement Evolutions event in Chicago, a new initiative aimed at bolstering podcast creators and offering enhanced advertising opportunities. Building on the infrastructure of Podcorn, which Audacy acquired in 2021, this launch marks a More

Return to Menu

Advertisement

Subscribe to our Newsletter
Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free.

Advertisement

Advertisement