While your statement is true, it is not in economics. Capitalism dictates $$$.

Land value has increased to the point where AM stations that are local daytime only can't afford it. They cash out the land and equipment they own and pocket it.

Salaries have increased for the on air staff. Management. Sales staff. That is before cost of upkeep and expected or earned profit.

The world rolls 24/7 now. No one will endure muddy Mono audio, during daytime hours when people drive home in traffic that didn't exist when the station was thriving.

The world is moving on. When you can get your favorite song in 1 second on your mobile hi fidelity device, for free, outside of device cost and the broadband fee, you will not be going out of your way to tune into a daytime AM again with muddy Mono audio.

Creativity will not solve a hard fact of shifting consumption and capitalism rules.

Part of the fault is the FCC not having a better plan on moving these AM's to FM, part of it is the owners fault not being aggressive in investing on moving to FM and part of it is the radio industries fault staying passive and pretending technology was not changing when it was and people were moving from the radio to instant now consumption.

Z