| China has almost a third of all AM radio stations currently broadcasting in the entire Asia-Pacific region today says the Radio Heritage Foundation. In the latest PAL AM Radio Log at www.radioheritage.net, there are almost 1,400 AM stations listed as on the air in China, out of some 4,800 stations across the entire region. In fact, just five countries account for 70% of all AM broadcasters in the region, with China follwed by Japan, Indonesia, Australia and the Philippines. These are in addition to the many thousands of FM radio stations that are generally more popular with younger listeners today. Despite contemporary digital radio and decades of FM, the fact that so many AM stations remain on the air is clear evidence that life remains in the almost century old AM technology, even in modern technology mad China. However, the outlook is bleak for 13 of the 55 countries in the latest PAL Radio Guide, where only one AM radio station now remains on the air. In the Pacific there is just one AM radio station left in the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Kiribati, the Marianas, Marshall Islands, Norfolk Island, Palau and Tonga, whilst American Samoa's only AM station has been 'temporarily' off the air for some time. In addition, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Samoa and Vanuatu each have only two AM stations left so it's become a very fragile world of AM radio across most of the Pacific where strong AM signals are needed in emergencies such as recent earthquakes, tsunamis and cyclones. Unfortunately, many of the Pacific island stations also operate on reduced power because of high imported oil costs, have rusting towers and old equipment and in the outer Solomon Islands, it's a choice between homes having power or the local radio station going on the air. The PAL Radio Guides are available for free at www.radioheritage.net and the new PAL AM Radio Guide contains some 50,000 individual data entries for the 4,800 listed stations. This resource is supported by volunteer monitors across the region and updates and new monitors are always welcome. ____________________________________________________ Radio Heritage Foundation is a registered non-profit organization connecting popular culture, nostalgia and radio heritage across the Pacific. For fresh features, images, audio, PAL Radio Guides and much more, visit our global website www.radioheritage.net. Donations to support our activities are gratefully welcomed. |
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