ARLA/CLUSTER: Emissoras comerciais japonesas pedem o fim da rádio obrigatória em AM - Onda Média, devido ao elevado custo e à falta de ouvintes

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

Enquadramento:
No Japão, todas as emissoras que tenham licenciadas frequências para
emissões comerciais tem de obrigatoriamente ter emissões simultâneas
em AM - Onda Media / FM - (88–108 MHz);, inclusive devido às
catástrofes naturais que assolam a região, tal como terramotos,
tsumanis, furações, etc. Como resultado, 43 das 47 estações de rádio
comerciais actuais que fazem transmissões em AM também  têm
transmissões simultâneas de FM para cobrir seus programas de rádio em
AM.

João Costa (CT1FBF)

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Japanese broadcasters call for end to mandatory AM radio due to cost
and lack of listeners

Japanese commercial broadcasters on Wednesday proposed a revision to
the broadcast law that would allow them to ditch AM radio broadcasting
due to issues over cost amid a decline in listenership.

The Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association asked the communications
ministry to implement a system revision by 2028 in order to allow
radio broadcasters to focus on FM broadcasting. Under the law,
broadcasters are obliged to broadcast on both AM and FM.

The request, made at a meeting of a panel of experts at the ministry,
reflects the heavy burden placed on broadcasters stemming from updates
to facilities and other forms of investment at a time when radio
stations’ advertising revenues are diminishing as the number of
listeners falls.

“It’s extremely difficult for us to renew our facilities while
continuing AM broadcasting,” said TBS Radio Inc. Chairman Kiyohiko
Irie, who participated in the panel meeting as a representative of
commercial broadcasters.

He asked for a measure to allow radio broadcasters to convert their AM
broadcasting to FM or to maintain both types of broadcasting,
according to their own business judgments.

Specifically, the broadcasters’ association proposed a test that would
halt AM broadcasting in limited areas, possibly in 2023. If no
problems arise during the trial, the association would seek the end of
mandatory AM broadcasting.

Some members of the panel, which is tasked with discussing ways to
strengthen commercial broadcasters’ operating foundations, agreed with
the idea of ending AM broadcasting, while others were cautious, citing
concerns that FM radio waves have difficulty reaching mountainous
areas.

While AM radio waves reach farther than FM waves, they are more prone
to being blocked by tall buildings and tend to have poor reception in
urban areas.

In addition, AM radio base stations are often built in coastal areas
and require investments to protect facilities in the event of tsunami.

As a result, 43 of the 47 radio stations making AM broadcasts also
have simultaneous FM broadcasts for their AM radio programs.