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For three years (1977-1980), the FCC worked in a traditional manner to select a standard system for AM stereophonic transmission. In 1980, the FCC picked a "tentative" standard from among five competitors, but industry dissent prompted reconsideration. However, a politically changed commission later questioned its regulatory role, and in 1982 left the decision to the marketplace. This research analyzes developments of the first 9 years of AM stereo in an effort to determine whether the FCC's plan has worked.

This research analyzes letters to editors appearing in the trade magazines Broadcasting and Radio World. Focusing on the first 10 years of the AM stereo marketplace, a sample of 167 letters was gathered from March 1982 through November 1992. The study assesses what individuals in the broadcast industry have written about AM stereo since the FCC's unprecedented 1982 decision not to set an industry standard for AM stereo broadcast transmission. Because the marketplace method of technical standard-setting was being implemented for the first time in FCC history, no yardstick existed by which to measure its effectiveness. Letters were analyzed for themes that were quantified for and placed into categories. This study seeks to increase our knowledge of trade magazine letters and contribute information previously unknown about the broadcasting marketplace.

A nationwide sample of 300 AM station General Managers found less than universal compliance with NRSC-1 and NRSC-2 standards, more AM stereo transmission than previously estimated, continued widespread use of music formats, misleading reports in the trade press, and positive attitudes about the prospects of digital audio broadcasting (DAB).

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For three years (1977-1980), the FCC worked in a traditional manner to select a standard system for AM stereophonic transmission. In 1980, the FCC picked a "tentative" standard from among five competitors, but industry dissent prompted reconsideration. However, a politically changed commission later questioned its regulatory role, and in 1982 left the decision to the marketplace. This research analyzes developments of the first 9 years of AM stereo in an effort to determine whether the FCC's plan has worked.

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