In all of today’s media upheaval, many younger users are puzzled by the term AM radio, while automakers are even considering eliminating the bandwidth from new vehicles altogether.
When I was a teen, this would have been entirely inconceivable. AM was king, period.
Dominated by clear-channel 50,000-watt stations that covered half of the country at night – and many having staffs of several hundred – they ranged down to much smaller voices that aired only during daytime hours, and even those frequencies were highly coveted by investors or niche nerds.
In contrast, FM was more limited in range and quite fringe. Many of the stations simulcast the AM sister’s programming. Others specialized in classical or jazz or “elevator music” for medical offices and retail store backgrounds.
Flash forward to today, when FM is where the audiences are. Not just for music, either, though much of the classic rock was crafted around the sound of AM top-40 formats. The shift of talk radio to FM sealed the deal.
I’m still surprised when traveling to find how little is available on AM, at least in English. More surprised, actually, to hear of station licenses being laid down and going idle, even in rural areas like the one where I’m living.
Gee, we might even begin wondering about the era of radio drama and comedy. Those really were something.
What are you listening to today?
Jnana's Red Barn 
My father’s college degree was in writing and producing radio drama. Those were the days!
The host of one of the programs on our little FM station here in town digs up old radio dramas to air. Quite fun, especially when they include ads for products long gone from the market.
I love to listen to old radio dramas.
In a mountainous country such as Aotearoa New Zealand, FM does not travel far and there are too many “dead spots” so AM is still relatively popular. All the major networks simulcast on AM, FM, satellite and stream over the internet 24/7.
Fascinating details. Thanks!