WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FCC has shared details of a June 5 meeting that saw NAB Associate General Counsel for Legal and Regulatory Affairs Larry Walke joined by two colleagues in discussions about ways to further revitalize AM Radio with key Media Bureau policymakers.
With a promise to continue working with the FCC and other stakeholders on
rule changes and technology developments that could benefit AM stations “and their
millions of devoted listeners,” Walke, along with newly minted SVP/Deputy General Counsel Ben Arden and VP/Advanced Engineering David Layer, shared in their conversations with Audio Division head Al Shuldiner and Deputy Audio Division Chief Jim Bradshaw.
The AM radio discussion was had in relation to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s “Re: Delete, Delete, Delete” initiative, designed to further what the Republican majority considers to be rule “modernization.”
The meeting saw the NAB advocate for two specific asks:
- The FCC was urged to eliminate “certain minimum efficiency standards that hinder
AM stations from choosing antennas that could expand their reach and locating
antennas on smaller, less expensive lots closer to their audiences. - The FCC was asked to eliminate “certain rules that complicate AM stations’ access to the AM expanded band (1605-1705 kHz) and consider opening a filing window for stations to
apply for frequencies in the band.
The meeting was cordial, as the NAB said it expressed appreciation for “the FCC’s longstanding efforts to provide AM broadcasters with additional flexibility to improve service to their local communities.”
The NAB also noted “the vital role of AM radio stations in the security of our nation’s critical
infrastructure and public safety, and encouraged the FCC to continue to consider ways
to promote this critical platform.”
To that end, the NAB discussed other potential updates that it believes could “unleash more opportunities for AM broadcasters to leverage technology to further enhance their signal quality and succeed in today’s competitive media marketplace.”
