The number of licensed radio stations in the U.S. edged slightly higher at the end of 2025, according to the latest FCC year-end broadcast totals.
As of December 31, 2025, the FCC reported 4,342 licensed AM stations—a decrease of 41 from the prior year (down approximately 0.9%). This marks another year of shrinkage for the AM band, driven primarily by license surrenders, economic pressures on smaller operators, rising interference and noise issues, limited modern receiver support in vehicles and devices, and competition from digital audio alternatives like streaming.
Key drivers of the net increase include:
- Noncommercial (educational) FM stations surged by 278 to reach 4,755—a 6.2% jump in just one year. This growth stems largely from a recent FCC application window that enabled new sign-ons, particularly among faith-based and Christian broadcasters.
- Low-power FM (LPFM) stations rose 1.3% to 1,994, adding 26 new outlets and reflecting continued community and niche interest in the class.In contrast, commercial segments contracted modestly:AM stations dropped to 4,342, down 41 (about 0.9%) from 2024, as economic pressures and technical challenges prompt more owners to surrender licenses.
- Commercial FM stations fell by 36 to 6,589, marking continued shrinkage amid slow transaction activity and few new launches.
- AM licenses have fallen by 342 stations, or about 7% overall.
Other related figures from the FCC data highlight mixed trends in supporting infrastructure:
FM translators and boosters dipped slightly to 8,867 (down 13 year-over-year), though they remain significantly higher over the past decade due to policies allowing AM stations to use them for better coverage.
Industry observers note that while the total station count ticks up thanks to noncommercial momentum, the commercial radio sector's contraction underscores challenges like competition from streaming, advertising shifts, and regulatory hurdles.