When was the last time you turned your dial to an AM station? For many Americans, it's been years—perhaps even decades. As digital streaming services and FM stations dominate the airwaves, AM radio has been repeatedly pronounced dead by industry analysts. Yet somehow, this century-old technology continues to broadcast to millions of listeners nationwide. In fact, recent data suggests we may be witnessing not AM radio's funeral, but its unexpected renaissance.
The stakes couldn't be higher for this seemingly outdated technology. With automotive manufacturers like Tesla and BMW removing AM radio receivers from new electric vehicles and younger generations gravitating toward podcasts and streaming services, AM radio stations face unprecedented challenges. But before we write the obituary for this resilient medium, it's worth examining the surprising ways AM radio is adapting, evolving, and in some communities, thriving.
From Innovation to "Obsolescence": AM Radio's Remarkable Journey
When Guglielmo Marconi transmitted the first radio signals in the late 1890s, he couldn't have imagined how his invention would transform the world. Amplitude Modulation (AM) became the first broadcast standard, dominating the airwaves until Frequency Modulation (FM) emerged in the 1930s. By the 1950s, AM radio had become America's cultural heartbeat—delivering news, entertainment, and music to households nationwide.
The decline began in the 1970s when FM's superior sound quality made it the preferred choice for music broadcasting. Digital streaming, satellite radio, and podcasts have since further eroded AM's market share. Consider these statistics:
| Year |
Number of AM Stations |
Percentage of Radio Listeners |
Primary Content |
| 1970 |
4,323 |
63% |
Music, News, Talk |
| 1990 |
4,987 |
35% |
News, Talk, Sports |
| 2010 |
4,784 |
17% |
Talk, News, Sports, Religion |
| 2024 |
4,507 |
12% |
Talk, News, Sports, Ethnic Programming |
Yet despite this apparent decline, AM radio remains remarkably resilient. Why? Because it offers unique advantages that newer technologies can't match. AM signals travel farther than FM, especially at night when they can bounce off the ionosphere. This gives AM stations incredible range—sometimes hundreds or even thousands of miles—allowing them to reach remote areas where internet access remains limited.
Additionally, AM radio remains one of the most accessible and affordable mediums. A basic AM receiver costs less than $10 and requires no subscription fees, internet connection, or smartphone—making it uniquely democratic in our increasingly digital world.
Why AM Radio Remains Critical for Public Safety and Emergency Communication
When disaster strikes and modern communications infrastructure fails, AM radio often becomes the last line of communication. During hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and other natural disasters, AM stations frequently remain operational when internet, cell service, and even FM stations go dark.
"AM radio isn't just another entertainment option—it's critical infrastructure for public safety," explains Craig Fugate, former FEMA Administrator. "During major disasters like Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico or Hurricane Sandy in New York, AM stations were often the only information source for days or even weeks."
This critical role in emergency communications explains why the FCC and emergency management agencies have fought against removing AM receivers from vehicles. In February 2024, major automakers including Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis reversed earlier decisions to phase out AM radio in new vehicles after bipartisan pressure from Congress highlighting its emergency management role.
Why AM Radio Excels During Emergencies:
- Signal propagation - AM signals travel farther and can reach areas where FM and cellular cannot penetrate
- Power requirements - AM transmitters can operate on backup power longer than many other technologies
- Simplicity - Basic AM receivers require minimal power and can operate on batteries for extended periods
- Redundancy - The distributed nature of AM stations creates a resilient network that's difficult to completely disable
- Designated Emergency Alert System (EAS) role - Many AM stations serve as primary EAS stations in their regions
This emergency function alone justifies the continued existence of AM radio, but it's only part of the story. The medium's ability to reach underserved communities gives it another crucial role in our media landscape.
Digital Adaptation: How AM Radio Is Reinventing Itself for the 21st Century
Far from resigning to obsolescence, many AM stations are aggressively adapting to the digital age. The most successful have embraced a multi-platform approach that leverages their content across multiple channels:
- FM translators - The FCC has allowed thousands of AM stations to simultaneously broadcast on FM frequencies, extending their reach and improving audio quality
- Streaming platforms - Nearly all AM stations now offer digital streaming through websites and mobile apps
- HD Radio technology - Digital AM broadcasting is gradually improving sound quality and enabling additional features
- Podcasting - Many talk formats now repackage their content as downloadable podcasts, reaching younger audiences
- Social media integration - Successful stations maintain active social media presences to engage listeners beyond traditional broadcasting
For example, WHO-AM in Des Moines, Iowa—a station broadcasting since 1924—now reaches more listeners through its digital platforms than through traditional AM reception. The station's content is simultaneously broadcast on an FM translator, streamed online, available as podcasts, and promoted through social media channels.
All-digital AM broadcasting represents another potential lifeline. In October 2020, the FCC authorized AM stations to broadcast in all-digital format using HD Radio technology. While adoption remains limited due to transition costs and concerns about legacy listeners with analog-only receivers, this technology offers AM radio a path to higher audio quality and additional features like program information displays.
Ben Downs, vice president of Bryan Broadcasting and advocate for AM revitalization, notes: "The multi-platform approach isn't just survival strategy—it's actually expanding our total audience. Our traditional AM listenership has stabilized, but our digital audience grows every year. The key is recognizing we're in the content business, not just the transmission business."
This digital evolution suggests that while AM radio's traditional delivery mechanism may eventually fade, the content and community connections it provides will continue through alternative platforms. The most successful stations have already embraced this hybrid future.
Conclusion: A Medium Adapting Rather Than Dying
So, is AM radio dead? The evidence suggests a more nuanced reality: AM radio isn't dying so much as it's transforming. While traditional AM listenership has declined, the medium has demonstrated remarkable resilience by:
- Maintaining its critical role in emergency communications and public safety
- Serving specialized communities and rural areas overlooked by mainstream media
- Adapting its content and delivery methods for digital platforms
- Finding sustainable business models through specialized programming
The story of AM radio offers valuable lessons about media evolution. Technologies rarely disappear completely—they often find new niches or transform into hybrid forms. Just as vinyl records have experienced a revival among audiophiles and books have survived the e-reader revolution, AM radio continues to serve important functions despite newer alternatives.
For listeners, stations, and policymakers, the path forward isn't abandoning AM radio but supporting its continued evolution. This means protecting its spectrum allocation, encouraging technical innovation, and recognizing its unique role in our media ecosystem—particularly for emergency communications and underserved communities.
Rather than writing AM radio's obituary, perhaps we should be chronicling its remarkable adaptation story—one that continues to unfold across the American landscape, one broadcast at a time.