Consumers Tune Out FM Chips [Infographic]

The Radio Show starts today in Dallas. While FM chips aren't on their "official" schedule of events, I am confident it will be a topic of discussion during their show. That's why I thought it'd be a good idea to pull together some facts on FM chips.

To summarize the infographic (below), there are more radios than smartphones in the U.S., but that's not enough for NAB. Even though FM radio isn't an important feature when consumers choose their smartphones, NAB thinks more smartphones need to have over-the-air capability. Now they'll say they're not advocating for a government option, but the fact is that they keep asking for more meetings with lawmakers. Why else would NAB keep begging lawmakers to put FM chips into devices except to ask for a mandate? Instead, they ought to do what others in the wireless industry do when they want their content to be included on or in smartphones - make a worthwhile product that consumers demand.

Look, if consumers want a feature, such as over-the-air FM radio, in their wireless devices, that is an option on a number of smartphones. But it's not a feature available on every single device.

But that's the point - it's an option, not a government mandate. With that, I hope the Radio Show is a great success!