According to newly released statistics by the FCC, the nation saw an addition of 110 broadcast stations added to its ranks during the third quarter, with the total number of commercially licensed UHF stations dipping below 1,000. In addition, there are fewer AM radio stations and far more FM translators and boosters.
(VIEW BROADCAST CATEGORY COUNTS BELOW)
Translator stations are primarily not new stations, but are stations that rebroadcast the signal of a broadcaster to provide service to areas in which direct reception is unsatisfactory due to distance or terrain barriers.
They may also be used by a radio station on either AM or FM to establish a presence on the other band.
Low Power FM (LPFM) radio stations are authorized for noncommercial educational and public safety and transportation broadcasting only and operate with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100 watts (0.1 kilowatts) or less, with maximum facilities of 100 watts ERP at 30 meters (100 feet) antenna height above average terrain. The approximate service range of a 100 watt LPFM station is 5.6 kilometers (3.5 miles radius).
Total Broadcast Stations as of Sept. 30, 2018 compared to June 30, 2018 |
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| AM STATIONS | 4626 | -7 | ||
| FM COMMERCIAL | 6737 | -1 | ||
| FM EDUCATIONAL | 4130 | 2 | ||
| TOTAL | 15,493 | -6 | ||
| UHF COMMERCIAL TV | 990 | -25 | ||
| VHF COMMERCIAL TV | 359 | -3 | ||
| UHF EDUCATIONAL TV | 297 | 26 | ||
| VHF EDUCATIONAL TV | 115 | 2 | ||
| TOTAL | 1,761 | 0 | ||
| CLASS A UHF STATIONS | 361 | 0 | ||
| CLASS A VHF STATIONS | 28 | 0 | ||
| TOTAL | 389 | 0 | ||
| FM TRANSLATORS & BOOSTERS | 7848 | 127 | ||
| UHF TRANSLATORS | 2752 | -59 | ||
| VHF TRANSLATORS | 914 | 44 | ||
| TOTAL | 11,514 | 112 | ||
| UHF LOW POWER TV | 1486 | -42 | ||
| VHF LOW POWER TV | 425 | 42 | ||
| TOTAL | 1,911 | 0 | ||
| LOW POWER FM | 2175 | 2,175 | 4 | |
| TOTAL BROADCAST STATIONS | 33,243 | 110 | ||
Total Broadcast Stations as of June 30, 2018 |
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| AM STATIONS | 4633 | |||
| FM COMMERCIAL | 6738 | |||
| FM EDUCATIONAL | 4128 | |||
| TOTAL | 15,499 | |||
| UHF COMMERCIAL TV | 1015 | |||
| VHF COMMERCIAL TV | 362 | |||
| UHF EDUCATIONAL TV | 271 | |||
| VHF EDUCATIONAL TV | 113 | |||
| TOTAL | 1,761 | |||
| CLASS A UHF STATIONS | 361 | |||
| CLASS A VHF STATIONS | 28 | |||
| TOTAL | 389 | |||
| FM TRANSLATORS & BOOSTERS | 7721 | |||
| UHF TRANSLATORS | 2811 | |||
| VHF TRANSLATORS | 870 | |||
| TOTAL | 11,402 | |||
| UHF LOW POWER TV | 1528 | |||
| VHF LOW POWER TV | 383 | |||
| TOTAL | 1,911 | |||
| LOW POWER FM | 2171 | 2,171 | ||
| TOTAL BROADCAST STATIONS | 33,133 | |||
