In North Dakota, a lot of our AM radio stations are in the process of switching over to the FM band right now. These stations are almost exclusively talk radio, classic country, or oldies stations. What do you think? Is this transition a move toward growth, with potential in mind to make these genres more popular among young audiences; or is it an act of desperation without much hope to save them on public airwaves?

Where I am we have the option of AM or FM stations .... FM is more pot as you can get all genres of music , talk radio etc etc !!!

AM transition to FM is happening to free up the AM bandwidth to accomodate wireless signal transmission. They did the same thing with television UHF a few years ago.
More and more devices are using wireless signals.

FM started out as a better way to transmit music. The bandwidth was wider and more detailed, it handled stereo. AM couldn't. AM also couldn't handle running engine static. Hence the invention of resistor spark plugs, and carbon spark plug leads.(It also got interference from the Duga Woodpecker.That went off when Chernobyl blew up.)) It also had fewer commercials at one time. Of course, that was short lived.

Now with bluetooth, satellite, or whatever they can sell you, that's getting more popular. I'm not sure whats all available, since music isn't a huge must to me. If I gotta pay for it, it isn't worth listening to.