The latest station count, according to the FCC, for broadcast radio and television stations in the U.S. has been released. And, as of the end of 2025, two big takeaways can be seen.
FM noncomms rose in total number, thanks to stations signing off after a recent FCC application window for new facilities. At the same time, LPFMs were on the rise.
Otherwise, there was hardly any movement of significance among commercial AM and FM stations, while broadcast TV equally had little major changes in station count during Q4 2025.
Meanwhile, the FM translator and booster boom has waned, while the total remains 1,000 ahead of June 2018.
BROADCAST STATION TOTALS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2025
(Compared to September 30, 2025)
TOTAL BROADCAST STATIONS: 33,573 (up 22)
All comparisons below to the end of Q3 2025
AM STATIONS 4342 (minus 1)
FM COMMERCIAL 6589 (minus 5)
FM EDUCATIONAL 4755 (plus 25)
TOTAL 15,686 (plus 19)
UHF COMMERCIAL TV 1040 (plus 3)
VHF COMMERCIAL TV 349 (minus 3)
UHF EDUCATIONAL TV 269 (unchanged)
VHF EDUCATIONAL TV 119 (plus 1)
TOTAL 1,777 (plus 1)
CLASS A UHF STATIONS 362 (plus 1)
CLASS A VHF STATIONS 35 (minus 1)
FM TRANSLATORS & BOOSTERS 8,867 (minus 4)
(up from 7,809 as of June 30, 2018)
UHF TRANSLATORS 2,462 (down 5)
VHF TRANSLATORS 630 (up 1)
UHF LOW POWER TV 1485 (up 2)
VHF LOW POWER TV 275 (down 1)
LOW POWER FM 1,994 (up 9)
