FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai urged broadcasters to weigh in with their thoughts on the agency’s efforts to revitalize AM.
Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn announced here at the Radio Show earlier this week she has circulated a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on AM.
Speaking at the Radio Luncheon via video today Pai said “Talk alone won’t get the job done. We have a lot to do.”
He urged broadcasters to tell the agency what draft ideas will work, what other ideas not previously proposed might work or what won’t work.
In the short-term, the agency needs to provide relief to AM owners, said Pai. He supports making siting AM transmitters easier as well as making it easier for AMs to get FM translators to rebroadcast their signal.
Pai also supports continued testing of all-digital AM.
Why care about AM? Because many minorities own AM stations, “and they cover local news and community events when no one else will,” said Pai.
