Reporter’s note: WTIC NewsTalk 1080 and its owner, Audacy, have a direct interest in this news.
A bipartisan group of tuned-in lawmakers is trying to make sure automakers continue to offer AM radio stations such as WTIC NewsTalk 1080 in new cars.
In Hartford on Friday, Audacy Senior VP and Market Manager Stephanie Perl joined Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to promote the AM for Every Vehicle Act, which would require automakers to offer AM radio in new vehicles at no additional charge, as they had for decades until some recent exceptions.
"The AM band has a rich heritage delivering news, content, sports and talk shows to millions of Americans," says Perl. "By retaining the AM band in vehicles, we ensure that this valuable content remains accessible to the broad audience that is listening on the AM band."
Nielsen reported that 82.3 million Americans listen to AM radio monthly (as of fall, 2022).
The proposed bill comes as more automakers are dropping AM radio from newer models. According to the office of bill sponsor Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), eight out of 20 major car companies — including Tesla, BMW and Ford — have removed it from their electric vehicles. (Last month, Ford said it would resume offering the AM band in all cars.)
Carmakers cite interference from electric motors that can cause static and noise on AM transmissions. Some have suggested that internet radio or other communication tools could replace AM radio. But Markey and others have pushed back — pointing to situations where drivers might not have internet access.
Lawmakers including Blumenthal emphasize AM radio’s delivery of news and information to local listeners.
Saying that he stays on top of Connecticut and national news by listening to AM radio during his many hours in the car, Blumenthal says, "AM radio is the soundtrack of America's workers. It's what they listen to when they're in the car on the way to work or to recreation and entertainment with their kids. AM radio is the lifeblood of emergency alerts and weather warnings."
WTIC offers local newscasts twice an hour and is Connecticut’s flagship outlet (Primary Entry Point) for the federal government’s Emergency Alert System.
While our signal at AM-1080 is a convenient and important way to listen to WTIC, it's far from the only way. WTIC streams online at wtic.com and on the Audacy app. It's also on the FM dial of your car via WTIC-FM 96.5 HD2.
Of course, WTIC's legendary 50,000 watt AM signal has been a staple on car and home radios for almost 100 years (since February 10, 1925), and the AM for Every Vehicle Act would make sure it continues to be easily available in all cars.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.