August 30, 2022

In the midst of our digital media revolution, where screens of all sizes dominate and Americans are consuming content from an exploding variety of websites, streaming platforms, apps and podcasts, the time-tested technology of terrestrial radio amazingly continues to thrive. Indeed, according to the PEW Research Center, 89 percent of Americans will listen to an AM or FM station in a given week.

Radio’s continued success is a testament to the fact that nothing can supplant the very personal connection Americans have with their local radio stations. Radio doesn’t demand an expensive device or password to access a Wi-Fi signal; a couple of AA batteries and a ten dollar transistor can connect anyone to all of the latest news, weather, sports, entertainment, and important community information they have come to depend upon.

Radio is also uniquely democratic, as the airwaves that carry its signals belong to the public, and more than any other medium radio engenders a unique listening community among those tuned to a station’s personalities, programming and advertising content. But sadly, with little fanfare, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is entertaining a proposal involving a technology called ZoneCasting that could do insurmountable harm to our nation’s radio industry.