FCC Counts Fewer AM, More FM Stations

The FCC released its quarterly list of the total number of licensed broadcast stations this week and once again the number of radio stations has increased since last quarter.

As of September 30, there were 15,433 licensed full power radio stations in the United States. The only category that decreased was the number of AM stations (down 6 stations since the end of June).

Here’s a run-down of the count, as of September 30, 2014:

• AM Stations:                     4,715    (down from 4,721 in 6/14 )
• FM Commercial Stations:    6,633    (up from 6,622 in 6/14)
• FM Educational Stations:     4,085   (up from 4,082 in 6/14)
• Total Radio Stations:         15,433   (up from 15,425 in 6/14) 

Not included in Total Radio Stations:

• FM Translators and Boosters: 6186  (up from 6,141 in 6/14).
• Low power FM (LPFM):           873  (up from 814 in 6/14)