Sometimes, it seems like the only thing being broadcast is bad news or stories about how fractured our nation has become over politics. That’s precisely why so many people have turned to outlets like Relevant Radio so they can stay both informed and hopeful. But last week, we received some very uplifting news about a bipartisan effort to defend consumers from regressive business tactics on the part of car manufacturers.
A bill was introduced last week to the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives by a coalition that has not only united Republicans and Democrats but is very pertinent to the future of AM Radio, and by definition, Relevant Radio®.
The bill has been dubbed the “AM for Every Vehicle Act” and its core purpose is to mandate the continued implementation of AM radio into new vehicles without additional charge. This legislation is being introduced in response to the move by car manufacturers who have begun to phase out the inclusion of AM radio in new vehicles, particularly EVs (electric vehicles). This legislation, if passed, would require federal regulators to mandate AM radios in all cars without requiring customers to pay an additional charge for the feature.
Last week on The Drew Mariani Show, Drew welcomed Relevant Radio® CFO, Preston Allex, onto the show to discuss why this issue is uniting both parties, what the implications of this law are, and why support for this legislation is integral to consumers who rely on AM radio to be their source for news, weather, sports, emergency broadcasts, and entertainment.
“There are different car manufacturers that have committed to pulling AM radios out of cars. Tesla is one of them,” said Preston. “Other various manufacturers have said, ‘We’re going to wait and see, but we probably will.’”. The reasoning behind these moves from car manufacturers is purely speculation at this point but some claim this regression stems from an interference problem in cars, while others think this may be the first step towards introducing microtransactions into the feature packages of civilian vehicles.
But since consumers would hardly agree to that type of business model if introduced so abruptly, it may be that the first feature on the chopping block is AM radio, a medium that some perceive to be obsolete.
However, some still recognize that AM radio is an integral source of information for tens of millions of users. The AM for Every Vehicle Act was introduced by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) who are heading up a bipartisan group of nine other members of Congress to support this bill.
“It’s our source for news, for weather, for sports, and entertainment. It’s a crucial part of our diverse media ecosystem,” said Senator Markey. AM radio has been around for a hundred years, and its history runs deep in the core of the United States, as Senator Markey points out. It was AM radio that first gave a media voice to the poor and immigrant populations of America, even giving them the ability to broadcast in their own languages.
AM radio is also an integral part of the EAS (Emergency Alert System). AM radio stations are capable of covering enormous regions of the country and that’s why they’re so effective at serving as PEPs, or designated delivery systems for emergency broadcasts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service, or other government agencies in times of emergency. Furthermore, this system is so effective because over 50 million people listen to AM radio every week, it’s free, and it’s easy to use.
“The senators and the representatives, I think, are doing a really good job recognizing that there is a national interest in keeping AM radio in cars. It’s one of the few issues that Republicans and Democrats are in agreement on,” said Preston. “This isn’t about government control of the car industry. This is about requiring safety belts in cars. That’s the equivalent to AM radio in our emergency broadcast system right now.”
Drew and Preston let listeners know that the most important thing they can do is put in a call to the U.S. Capitol to let their local representatives know that they want to support this bill. Many members of Congress might think that AM radio is a dying technology, but Relevant Radio is proof that it isn’t! Our reach and our audience are bigger than ever, and we need your help to keep our medium from being pushed out of the automotive space.
To reach the U.S. Capitol and speak to a representative about the AM for Every Vehicle Act, call (202) 224-3121 and express your support!
Tune in to The Drew Mariani Show weekdays 2pm – 5pm CT
