The radio industry is still fighting to keep AM radio in cars. Legislation in US Congress has broad bipartisan support for the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (H.R. 3413), which would still require AM in cars but would give some automakers more time to comply.
The broadcasting industry points out the role AM radio has made during a time of crisis, like hurricanes and other natural disasters.
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Broadcasters are trying to convince several brands like BMW, Volvo and Volkswagen to change their minds about removing AM access in models they sell in the U.S.
“The automakers have every interest in ensuring that every consumer when they step into the automobile is a customer for all that media and that they are monetizing the consumer,” National Association of Broadcasters President Curtis LeGeyt said. “Broadcast radio sits outside of that. And so, what we’re asking here is to put that accessibility of broadcast radio, especially in times of disaster, above their bottom lines and those paid subscription and data services,” he said an interview with TheHill.com
Radio analysts say the biggest obstacle is in the summer months prior to Election Day, trying to get lawmakers to move forward on issues.
Supporters say some smaller items inside the legislation need to be fine-tuned, but there is progress. Inside the bill, it would will require the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule requiring access to AM broadcast stations in motor vehicles. If they don’t, carmakers could be fined.
And prior to the effective date of the rule, manufacturers that do not include AM would be required to put a warning label on Keeping vehicles. Automakers would have at least two years to comply with the rule, although some manufacturers that produce fewer than 40,000 passenger cars for sale in the U.S. would have at least four years to meet the requirement. The previous version of the House bill introduced last May did not include any timetable for when carmakers would need to meet the AM mandate.
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