NAB Show Fireside Chat Hears Praise for AM Radio

During the NAB Show Welcome, NAB CEO Curtis LeGeyt delivered a fireside chat that resonated with the audience. AM radio received an enthusiastic ovation during this chat, solidifying its position as one of broadcasting’s most significant regulatory success stories this year. The imminent passage of the AM For Every Vehicle Act underscores this achievement.

Curtis LeGeyt

LeGeyt emphasized the critical role that AM radio continues to play in the lives of Americans. He highlighted the bipartisan effort to preserve it, with more than 400,000 listeners actively petitioning Congress. The bill, aimed at ensuring the continuity of AM radio, has garnered over half of the House’s co-sponsorship. Notably, Ford’s decision to retain AM radio in their vehicles further bolsters this movement.

LeGeyt’s vision extends beyond AM radio. He stressed the resource scarcity faced by local stations and advocated for redirecting resources to support local storytellers and journalists. Additionally, he addressed the potential impact of generative AI on disinformation and misinformation. While AI poses risks, it also holds the potential to enhance real-time fact-checking and improve local reporting accuracy.

LeGeyt’s optimism about the bill’s passage and his commitment to guiding communities through elections demonstrate his dedication to broadcasting’s future. The FCC’s active engagement with the industry also came up in discussions after the fireside chat.