IHeartRadio Backs FM Translator, All-Digital AM

July 17, 2015 |Digital Radio

All AM stations should have access to any FM translator, iHeartMedia said in an ex parte filing posted Thursday in FCC docket 13-249. In a meeting with Commissioner Michael O'Rielly, CEO Bob Pittman and other executives pushed for a variety of steps aimed at revitalizing AM radio, including authorizing all-digital AM operations on an experimental basis and the FM translator access, which "would allow AM stations to expand audience by reaching listeners who do not tune into the AM band due to signal quality or other issues," iHeartMedia said. The company also urged against reducing interference protections for Class A stations, saying that could harm the AM band.