As of the end of the first quarter of 2023, there are exactly 129 fewer broadcast radio stations in the U.S.
Of these now-erased broadcast facilities, 12 were AM stations. So, where did the bulk of disappearances occur?
With five fewer FM commercial radio stations, and more FM noncomms, the big story is that of a low-power FM station numerical decrease.
In fact, there 11 fewer FM translators and boosters on the air as of the end of Q1 2023 then at the end of 2022.
No reason was given in the FCC’s quarterly report, as is typical. However, this could be tied to translator and/or boosters that have either ceased transmissions or were replaced by full-power facilities in their signal contour area.
Furthermore, the decline in VHF translators has been large. Over the last two quarters, there are 104 fewer of these broadcast stations.
Meanwhile, the hot low-power TV sector, after gaining 48 stations in Q4 2022, saw 29 facilities disappear in Q1 2023.
Lastly, the LPFM count now stands at just below 2,000, after another decline.
BROADCAST STATION TOTALS AS OF MARCH 31, 2023
(Compared to December 31, 2022)
TOTAL BROADCAST STATIONS: 33,455 (down 129)
All comparisons below to the end of Q2 2022
AM STATIONS 4472 (minus 12)
FM COMMERCIAL 6681 (minus 5)
FM EDUCATIONAL 4219 (plus 12)
TOTAL 15,372 (minus 5)
UHF COMMERCIAL TV 1010 (plus 4)
VHF COMMERCIAL TV 365 (minus 4)
UHF EDUCATIONAL TV 264 (plus 1)
VHF EDUCATIONAL TV 119 (down 1)
TOTAL 1,758 (unchanged)
CLASS A UHF STATIONS 351 (down 1)
CLASS A VHF STATIONS 30 (down 1)
FM TRANSLATORS & BOOSTERS 8,939 (down 11)
(up from 7813 as of June 30, 2018)
UHF TRANSLATORS 2461 (down 6)
VHF TRANSLATORS 658 (down 37)
UHF LOW POWER TV 1560 (down 29)
VHF LOW POWER TV 327 (plus 4)
LOW POWER FM 1,999 (down 16)
