According to newly released statistics by the FCC, the nation saw an addition of 449 broadcast stations, the majority being 246 low power FM stations as of March 31, 2017.
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).
(VIEW BROADCAST CATEGORY COUNTS BELOW)
The quarter saw the continuing decline of AM stations, losing three broadcasters. During 2016, the nation saw 15 struggling stations go off the air.
A total of 189 additional stations were represented by AM and FM translators and boosters, and TV translators.
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.
The FCC will see the biggest drop ever in their TV station count following the contractual completion of the reverse auction when broadcasters are given the opportunity to be paid and relinquish their licenses.
Broadcast Stations
Total Broadcast Stations as of March. 31, 2017 compared to Dec. 31, 2016 |
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| AM STATIONS | 4666 | (3) | ||
| FM COMMERCIAL | 6754 | 8 | ||
| FM EDUCATIONAL | 4112 | 11 | ||
| TOTAL | 15,532 | 16 | ||
| UHF COMMERCIAL TV | 1033 | 0 | ||
| VHF COMMERCIAL TV | 350 | (1) | ||
| UHF EDUCATIONAL TV | 289 | 0 | ||
| VHF EDUCATIONAL TV | 105 | 0 | ||
| TOTAL | 1,777 | (1) | ||
| CLASS A UHF STATIONS | 393 | 0 | ||
| CLASS A VHF STATIONS | 24 | 0 | ||
| TOTAL | 417 | 0 | ||
| FM TRANSLATORS & BOOSTERS | 7453 | 200 | ||
| UHF TRANSLATORS | 2905 | (6) | ||
| VHF TRANSLATORS | 873 | (5) | ||
| TOTAL | 11,231 | 189 | ||
| UHF LOW POWER TV | 1598 | (2) | ||
| VHF LOW POWER TV | 367 | 1 | ||
| TOTAL | 1,965 | (1) | ||
| LOW POWER FM | 1924 | 1,924 | 246 | |
| TOTAL BROADCAST STATIONS | 32,846 | 449 | ||
Total Broadcast Stations as of Dec. 31, 2016 compared to Dec. 31, 2015 |
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| AM STATIONS | 4669 | (15) | ||
| FM COMMERCIAL | 6746 | 45 | ||
| FM EDUCATIONAL | 4101 | 6 | ||
| TOTAL | 15,516 | 36 | ||
| UHF COMMERCIAL TV | 1033 | 2 | ||
| VHF COMMERCIAL TV | 351 | (5) | ||
| UHF EDUCATIONAL TV | 289 | 0 | ||
| VHF EDUCATIONAL TV | 105 | (1) | ||
| TOTAL | 1,778 | (4) | ||
| CLASS A UHF STATIONS | 393 | 7 | ||
| CLASS A VHF STATIONS | 24 | 5 | ||
| TOTAL | 417 | 12 | ||
| FM TRANSLATORS & BOOSTERS | 7253 | 747 | ||
| UHF TRANSLATORS | 2911 | 147 | ||
| VHF TRANSLATORS | 878 | 38 | ||
| TOTAL | 11,042 | 932 | ||
| UHF LOW POWER TV | 1600 | 127 | ||
| VHF LOW POWER TV | 366 | 17 | ||
| TOTAL | 1,966 | 144 | ||
| LOW POWER FM | 1678 | 1,678 | 245 | |
| TOTAL BROADCAST STATIONS | 32,397 | 1,365 | ||
Total Broadcast Stations as of Dec. 31, 2016 compared to June 30, 2016 |
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| AM STATIONS | 4669 | (7) | ||
| FM COMMERCIAL | 6746 | 32 | ||
| FM EDUCATIONAL | 4101 | 2 | ||
| TOTAL | 15,516 | 27 | ||
| UHF COMMERCIAL TV | 1033 | 1 | ||
| VHF COMMERCIAL TV | 351 | (2) | ||
| UHF EDUCATIONAL TV | 289 | 0 | ||
| VHF EDUCATIONAL TV | 105 | (1) | ||
| TOTAL | 1,778 | (2) | ||
| CLASS A UHF STATIONS | 393 | (9) | ||
| CLASS A VHF STATIONS | 24 | 8 | ||
| TOTAL | 417 | (1) | ||
| FM TRANSLATORS & BOOSTERS | 7253 | 437 | ||
| UHF TRANSLATORS | 2911 | 120 | ||
| VHF TRANSLATORS | 878 | 11 | ||
| TOTAL | 11,042 | 568 | ||
| UHF LOW POWER TV | 1600 | (102) | ||
| VHF LOW POWER TV | 366 | (22) | ||
| TOTAL | 1,966 | (124) | ||
| LOW POWER FM | 1678 | 1,678 | 113 | |
| TOTAL BROADCAST STATIONS | 32,397 | 581 | ||