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AM broadcasting (and radio broadcasting in general) received strong support from congressional representatives during hearings this week of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s communications and technology subcommittee.Much time has been spent recognizing the vital role of AM radio in emergency communications networks, both for emergency alerts from EAS systems and for communicating important additional information to the public through news and public affairs programming (see Preliminary statement by J Chapmanan Indiana broadcaster who testified on behalf of the AM industry, and the statement An officer with the New Jersey State Police, who spoke about the importance of AM in providing emergency information). Almost all representatives urged auto companies to keep additive manufacturing in cars. Despite broad support, some lawmakers have expressed reluctance to pass laws mandating the use of additive manufacturing in cars, especially representatives with philosophical reservations about government enforcement of commercial decisions. The testimony of representatives of the auto industry certainly underscored this position. In the discussion of these issues that day, some clues may have emerged about the future of in-car entertainment.
AM and public safety advocates argued at the hearing that AM radio needs to be protected. They emphasize that AM provides the backbone of emergency alert systems because high-power AM stations are able to cover great distances, unimpeded by terrain obstacles. Even the lone auto industry representative on the panel agreed that at this point, over-the-air radios provide the best and most reliable source of free emergency alerts. The additional contextual information provided by news/talk AM stations was also highlighted, as stations can go beyond simply providing government-issued emergency alerts by providing detailed information and relevant context on any emergency situation in their programming. While not at the center of the discussion, especially in the second half of the hearing, there was also talk of the importance of providing free audio services to the public, not just emergency programming, especially services that often provide programming to underserved groups. There is also mention of protecting the investment of radio operators, as removing AM from cars will greatly reduce the potential audience for most of these stations. The desire to continue serving the public through AM radio is the broadcaster’s vision for the future of in-car entertainment options.
But not everyone shares this vision of the future. Auto industry representatives argue that Congress should not mandate the use of AM in cars because it has no reason to pick technology winners and losers. The representative didn’t repeat previous claims that electric motors interfered with AM station reception, and most witnesses and congressional representatives seemed to conclude that any interference could be overcome if the auto industry was willing to do so. Instead, the real question for the auto industry is whether Congress should enforce business decisions and consumer choice. Auto industry representatives put the issue down to one of consumer choice — automakers want to give consumers what they want, and if those manufacturers determine that consumers no longer value AM, those manufacturers should be free other entertainment options, and should not be required to provide services of diminishing value to consumers. He would only promise his industry some free way to receive emergency alerts in cars, but not necessarily by radio.look at him The initial declaration is here. these ideas in a recent blog John Bozella, president of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation.
Congressional representatives also asked poignant questions about whether all the free in-car entertainment options offered by wireless radio would disappear. Auto industry representatives declined to rule that out, saying it was up to each car company to decide based on their perception of consumer choice.
Fears that all radios, not just AM, will eventually disappear from cars are nothing new.Our friends at Jacobs Media have been warning of this possibility for nearly a decade (see, for example, This article since 2015), leading them to sponsor syndicated radio/automotive conferences in the Detroit area. While surveys still show radio is an important feature for car buyers, many digital apps and other sources of entertainment provide automakers with recurring revenue through subscription fees (or commissions on those fees). So the current debate over keeping AM in cars may be just a preliminary skirmish in what could be a protracted battle.
This week’s hearings presented two visions for the future of audio entertainment in cars — one based on the legacy of free over-the-air broadcasts augmented by other services, and one that may no longer be free, but some consumers believe Various paid services may be of greater value.unresolved AM for each vehicle bill That raises the question of whether Congress is interested in giving thumbs up to the outcome of the debate over these potentially conflicting visions of the future of automotive entertainment. We’ll see how this plays out in the coming months.
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