House-Backed Clock Change Sparks Radio Industry Pushback.

Congress has advanced a bill that could shakeup morning drive for millions of listeners and potentially keep some stations off the air during much of the critical daypart. The House voted Tuesday 308-117 to approve the Sunshine Protection Act (S.29/ H.R.139). it would make daylight saving time the permanent standard time year-round.

Broadcasters are among those that see unintended consequences of such a move. It would mean that for most of the country the sun would not rise until after 8am during the winter months — and in some cases past 9am — when morning drivetime is over. For instance, in Grand Rapids, MI the sun would rise as late as 9:15am, and in Williston, ND sunrise would approach 9:45am.

It is not just daytime-only signals that will be impacted. Scores of AMs operate at either reduced power or with directional signals after dark. That has raised concerns of broadcasters who say the morning daypart is when most of their revenue is made.

Some of the listening and billing losses may be offset by the clock changes that would give AMs more time on the air or at stronger power during afternoon drive, when some stations need to power down before 5pm during the winter months. But with radio typically pulling in more advertising during the morning hours, just how much of that loss would be recouped isn’t clear.

Yet the idea of no longer switching the clocks twice a year has proven popular with many Americans, especially those in warmer climates where outdoor activities continue even during the winter. Businesses like golf courses say they are hurt by sunsets that come too early in those months. Some medical groups have also pointed to data showing the negative impact of disrupting the Circadian rhythm. A study by Stanford Medicine researchers released last fall even suggested it would reduce stroke and obesity rates.

Sponsor Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16) applauded House passage. “This commonsense legislation reflects what Americans have been saying for years: it's time to lock the clock and make daylight saving time permanent," he said. Buchanan believes it will lead to improved public safety and healthier and more active lifestyles.

President Donald ⁠Trump — who is also the owner of a Florida golf club — has repeatedly said he supports making daylight savings time permanent. He called the House passage “great news for America” in a social media post.

But the National Association of Broadcasters has urged lawmakers to reject the idea and has been lobbying against it. Salem Media Group has also said it would be a “massive blow” to AMs. And the National Religious Broadcasters has also voiced its opposition, saying the change requires further research, including the radio impact.

Broadcasters may have success in the Senate, where efforts last October to make daylight saving time permanent were blocked by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR). He argued it would make winter a “dark and dismal time” for millions of Americans. He believes there would only be “highly concentrated” benefits for a few industries in a few regions, offset by widely distributed costs across many more industries throughout the entire country.

Alongside the federal proposals, 19 states have passed legislation for permanent daylight saving time. But while states may adopt permanent standard time without congressional approval, they cannot adopt permanent daylight saving time unless federal law changes. The last time Congress altered the clock was in 2005, when it passed legislation that extended daylight saving time for several weeks.