While The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (S. 315) has already secured the support of a majority of House members as well as a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, there’s still a long way to go until the bill, which would require U.S. automakers to include AM receivers in new vehicles for the next 10 years, is passed.
That means it’ll take a greater effort pleading AM radio’s case in the halls of Congress by owners of stations on the band, many of which offer religious formats, whether Christian music, gospel, religious teaching, or talk.
“For generations, AM radio has brought the hope of the gospel, biblical teaching, and encouragement right into our homes and cars, especially in times of crisis,” Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk says in one of a series of pro-AM radio public service announcements from evangelical Christian leaders and influencers which currently air on nearly 1,000 AM stations owned by or affiliated with Salem Media Group, which has also advocated for the bill’s passing on Capitol Hill.
“Now, some automakers want to eliminate AM radio from new vehicles,” Kirk says in the spot. “Let’s stand together and protect this ministry lifeline.”
Orlando Boyd, GM of The Gospel Nashville, which offers Christian listeners a mix of music and talk shows, tells Religion News, “AM allows for certain formats that can’t command the bigger dollars from agencies. They have more of a local appeal. It’s really to get that foot in the door for people trying to break into the radio business.” While his service is also on FM stations, Boyd says AM is vital for listeners in remote settings, and is often the first choice for those over age 40.
Gospel music and other religious content, including sermon segments, are key to the success of Vision Multimedia Group’s AM stations in Atlanta, WIGO (1570), and Buffalo, WUFO (1080). “We’re running our own narrative when it comes to our talk shows, our music, our format,” Vision President Sheila Brown says. “No one else in either city has the formats that we have. You have so many people that are sick and shut in, who can’t get out to their churches like they used to, but when they turn to us, they’ll get the same singing, ministry, preaching that they would if they would be at their church.”
Salem’s VP of Government Affairs Nic Anderson calls the AM Radio Act “a religious issue” as well as “a First Amendment and public safety issue,” noting that “AM radio is the backbone of the Emergency Alert System.” Salem Regional GM Carolyn Cassidy says her stations in Tampa, Florida give AM listeners information on how to prepare for, ride out, and recover from severe storms during hurricane season.
According to NAB, 80 million Americans still listen to AM radio each month on over 4,000 AM stations, while a National Religious Broadcasters survey conducted by Barna Group earlier this year found 37% of Christian radio listeners tune in on AM stations.
NRB, which has more than 120 AM stations among its members, has been one of several groups advocating for the passing of the AM Act. “We have more than enough votes to pass it in the House right now, but to make it a priority in a moment where there’s just a whole lot of four- and five-alarm fires you have to put out,” NRB legal counsel Mike Farris says. “It’s hard to do something that’s more of a long-term concern.”
