NAB Thinks It’s Time for AM Boosters

Why It Matters

Boosters could restore reliable AM reception in noise‑laden urban areas, protecting the band’s audience and advertising revenue. A regulatory pathway would enable stations to invest confidently in this technology.

Key Takeaways

• Study finds 80% of U.S. AM stations could benefit from boosters
• Boosters aim to improve signal in fringe and urban interference zones
• NAB plans FCC rulemaking petition to formalize AM booster regulations
• Pilot testing may start with a Washington, D.C., station
• High‑power stations like WSB, WINS, KNX used as case studies

Pulse Analysis

The AM band, once the backbone of local news and talk, has seen its audience erode as urban electronic noise and crowded spectra degrade signal quality. Industry leaders argue that the technology gap can be narrowed without abandoning the band, by deploying single‑frequency AM boosters that retransmit the original carrier on the same channel. Boosters, already common on FM, promise to fill coverage gaps caused by terrain, building density, and the rising electromagnetic interference from smartphones, Wi‑Fi routers, and electric vehicles. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is positioning boosters as a cost‑effective lifeline for struggling stations.

The NAB‑commissioned engineering study, conducted by Cavell, Mertz & Associates, mapped the 25 mV/m and 2 mV/m contours of all 4,355 licensed AM facilities. By comparing population density inside the strong‑signal core versus the weaker outer contour, researchers identified that roughly 80 % of stations could see measurable listenership gains with a strategically placed booster. Case studies of rim‑shot outlets such as KJOZ in Texas and flagship urban stations—WSB (Atlanta), WINS (New York), KNX (Los Angeles)—demonstrated potential improvements of up to several decibels in fringe areas. The analysis also highlighted the need for site‑specific engineering and cost assessments.

Armed with these findings, the NAB and the National Radio Systems Committee are preparing a petition for rulemaking to give the FCC a clear regulatory framework for AM boosters. If approved, stations would gain a standardized path to acquire on‑channel booster licenses, design compatible antennas, and conduct field trials, beginning with a pilot in the Washington, D.C., market where testing resources are concentrated. Successful deployment could restore reliable reception for millions of listeners in suburban and inner‑city pockets, bolster advertising revenue, and extend the commercial viability of the AM band in an increasingly digital media landscape.