As the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act continues to garner widespread support, the CEO of the largest Catholic radio network in the United States is urging congressional leaders to recognize the essential role of AM radio in both public safety and religious broadcasting.
In a letter addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Relevant Radio Chairman and CEO Rev. Francis J. Hoffman emphasized AM radio’s continued importance, particularly in emergencies when other communication methods may fail.
“AM Radio has served as a crucial source of information during emergencies, delivering real-time updates when other communication methods falter. In the face of hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and power outages, AM stations continue broadcasting even when cell networks and internet services are disrupted,” Hoffman wrote. “Reducing AM Radio’s reach would put countless lives at risk in their most critical moments.”
Hoffman also highlighted AM radio’s significance to Relevant Radio’s mission. The network provides faith-based content that he says is increasingly necessary in an era of cultural and spiritual decline.
Hoffman stated, “Whether in times of crisis or the quiet moments of daily life, AM radio continues to be a beacon of truth, service, and faith.” Hoffman urged lawmakers to pass the legislation to ensure that AM radio remains a cornerstone of national communication infrastructure.
He isn’t the only Christian broadcaster to step up to bat for the AM band recently.
National Association of Religious Broadcasters CEO Troy Miller penned an op-ed for Newsmax earlier this month, saying, “At its core, this issue touches on a fundamental principle: Americans should have the freedom to access content of their choosing without corporate gatekeepers determining what they can and cannot hear. AM radio provides a platform for voices that might otherwise be marginalized by algorithm-driven digital platforms.”
The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act would mandate that automakers include AM radio in all new vehicles at no additional cost, ensuring continued access to critical emergency communications, public safety alerts, and diverse programming for millions of Americans.
The bipartisan legislation currently has 57 Senate co-sponsors and 117 House co-sponsors, following a surge in support after broadcasters lobbied lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
I read…Roy Radio lost his weekend, fill-in gig at some station a long time ago and hates the industry. Also cross posts quotes from the Big A, so likely both are his accounts.
“Faith leaders?” You mean nutjob controllers who use religion to keep people in check while simultaneously engaging in all the behaviors they shame you into avoiding? These stations, along with Faux news have helped to end any hope of the notion that we might be living in some type of democracy.
The purpose of the bill isn’t to “prop up an industry.” It’s all about supporting EAS. Having AM in cars won’t help revenues. That’s not the point. Broadcasters are shutting down AM stations.
Also the Trump tariffs are an example of passing costs on to consumers. So this fits with the current admin. They prefer consumption taxes to income taxes. It’s all in project 2025.
Your premise is wrong. The purpose of the bill isn’t to “prop up an industry.” It’s all about supporting EAS. Having AM in cars won’t help revenues. That’s not the point. Broadcasters are shutting down AM stations.
Also the Trump tariffs are an example of passing costs on to consumers. So this fits with the current admin. They prefer consumption taxes to income taxes. It’s all in project 2025.
Hoffman and others expect automakers to incur the cost of keeping AM radio in cars. Yet, the vast vast majority of the public does not listen to AM anymore. In fact, most people under 40 do not even know what AM is. And they don’t own radios, except those in their cars.
Automakers will just pass along the costs of keeping AM, to car buyers.
No. Not acceptable. This is the type of overreach that the Trump Administration is trying to stop.
If Hoffman and others want to keep AM, there should be a tax on AM ad revenues, to reimburse the automakers.
Awhile ago, The Big A said that “AM ad revenues were already challenged,” so an AM tax would not be a good idea. That is precisely the point- AM ad revenues are challenged, because the desirable audiences and revenues do not exist for AM anymore.
And automakers should not have to pay to prop up an indistry (AM) that is long long past its relevance.
We wonder just what you’re so afraid of. Especially since you seem to have no interest in AM.
This obsession with your agenda here is questionable. Disingenuous much? Lol.
Your premise is wrong. The purpose of the bill isn’t to “prop up an industry.” It’s all about supporting EAS. Having AM in cars won’t help revenues. That’s not the point. Broadcasters are shutting down AM stations.
Also the Trump tariffs are an example of passing costs on to consumers. So this fits with the current admin. They prefer consumption taxes to income taxes. It’s all in project 2025.
“automakers should not have to pay to prop up an indistry”
Your premise is wrong. The purpose of the bill isn’t to “prop up an industry.” It’s all about supporting EAS. Having AM in cars won’t help revenues. That’s not the point. Broadcasters are shutting down AM stations.
Also the Trump tariffs are an example of passing costs on to consumers. So this fits with the current admin. They prefer consumption taxes to income taxes. It’s all in project 2025.
Having AM in cars won’t “prop up an industry.” There’s no mandate to listen. That’s why Cumulus and Townsquare are shutting down dozens of AM stations.
This is because Relevant Radio primarily owns AM stations.