NRB Says Year-Round Daylight Saving Could Damage AM

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, March 11, 2024

National Religious Broadcasters

With Daylight Saving Time (DST) moving our clocks forward last Sunday, the debate around adopting DST permanently through the Sunshine Protection Act is being revived by certain legislators. However, such a change could negatively affect AM radio broadcasting -- particularly daytime only outlets says the National Religious Broadcasters Association.

AM radio operates differently during day and night due to the varying travel of radio waves, leading to specific restrictions. To prevent interference, the FCC mandates that AM stations lower their power or cease broadcasting at nighttime. The morning drive time, from about 6-10am, is vital for AM broadcasters in terms of content delivery and income.

Making DST permanent would mean that, during the year's darker months from November to February, many AM stations wouldn't be able to broadcast at full capacity until after 8am, missing out on early morning audiences and advertisement earnings. This scenario poses a significant problem for AM broadcasters who are already navigating numerous challenges in the modern media landscape, including the exclusion of AM radio in some newer electric vehicle models.

Despite the annual enthusiasm for changing the clocks, there isn't a unified stance on making DST a year-round norm. Past attempts to establish DST permanently have been short-lived, unpopular and sometimes hazardous, as well as annoying. The proposal necessitates additional research to fully understand its implications on industries like broadcasting and the potential safety risks for people commuting in the dark to work and school.

With over 120 AM radio stations in its membership and connections to hundreds of AM radio affiliates across more than 4,800 stations in the U.S., NRB emphasizes the integral role of AM radio in communities. AM stations are pivotal for delivering news, traffic updates, sports commentary, talk shows, religious content, and emergency communications, especially when other networks are down.