I live in Australia and when I go on a decent road trip its interesting when you lose mobile phone coverage, then FM radio coverage leaving just AM radio.

In summer you can drive along just listening to news and sport coverage (Cricket).

In the country it is the primary source of news and emergency information. During flooding and bushfires most other forms of communication are not available especially during prolonged power outages.

Of course, if you go outside the AM coverage area you lose that as well but that's a different story.