April 1. 2012 (Washington DC) – At a press conference this morning, FCC Chairman Julius Chenakowski announced that the FCC will be terminating all AM broadcasting licenses by October 1st, 2012. Following the lead of communications regulators in Europe, AM radio stations will cease broadcasting and transition to digital FM.
In addition to the large energy savings, this change will assure that US regulations are harmonized with International rules being drawn up by the ITU. Existing license holders will have the option of converting existing FM translators to standalone FM licenses, or displacing any existing Class D FM licensees. Should the owner be unable to obtain an FM replacement or choose not to continue broadcasting, the fair value of the station license can be deducted as an in-kind political contribution to a designated candidate.
The spectrum freed up by this action is expected to be repurposed to provide dialup wireless Internet access or possibly be leased to broadcasters from China and other friends of the United States and underserved minority and disadvantaged communities.
Radio host Alex Jones has stated to a reporter for CNS “I told you Obama was going to do this – that’s why they ordered those 450,000 bullets.” Controversial talk show host Rush Limbaugh did not immediately respond to requests for a comment.
Happy April Fools Day. They’re gonna hafta pry that radio knob outta my cold dead fingers.
Haw! You got me! (Till the article loaded and I saw the post-date.)
Sad thing is, it _could_ happen.
Little clues along the way…
The FCC chairman is named Julian, not Julius
The government holding a press conference on a Sunday?
Dialup wireless internet access?
But you’re right, much of the rest has been said at one time or another, and probably the only thing inaccurate is the timetable 🙂
You so Funny, Art : )