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Data Dump: AM Station Totals Decline; Little Change for FM, TV

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 27, 2025, 10:52 am

As I have said before on here, this will continue for AM stations as time goes on. Most will be daytimers not attached to a translator, followed by the "graveyard" part of the AM band.

Click the link below to read about FM and TV stations.

Z

The FCC’s latest quarterly station totals shows a continued decline in the number of AM stations, while the number of FM and full-power TV stations is remaining largely steady.

There were 4,343 licensed AM stations as of Sept. 30, down 17 from the June 30 total. The current total is more than 600 stations below the all-time high of 4,990 AM stations reached in 1991.

While online FCC records do not include totals for every year, it appears the number of AM stations is currently around the same level it was in the 1970s.

The total encompasses all licensed stations, including those that are not currently broadcasting. The FCC’s Licensing and Management System lists 129 AM stations as “licensed and silent” as of Nov. 25.

Link: Data Dump: AM Station Totals Decline; Little Change for FM, TV

Re: Data Dump: AM Station Totals Decline; Little Change for FM, TV

Posted by JJSPC1372 <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=JJSPC1372' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 27, 2025, 8:24 pm, in reply to "Data Dump: AM Station Totals Decline; Little Change for FM, TV"

It's srprising more of the anemic AM's around the country haven't been turned in.

Re: Data Dump: AM Station Totals Decline; Little Change for FM, TV

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 28, 2025, 8:23 am, in reply to "Re: Data Dump: AM Station Totals Decline; Little Change for FM, TV"

JJSPC1372, no proof, no fact, just opinion. I believe there are a number of them that are silent and have not reported to the FCC, or playing the paper game. ie: AM 1300 did it for some months. Staying on but modifying, or limping their signal. ie: WBIG-AM, WCKG-AM. There has been an increase of apps submitted to go dark due to economic conditions of their respective markets. You will see this increase with time too as the economy is rocky.

Even at the ridiculous fees that iBOC/HD iBiquity charges to lease monthly HDx streams on the FM band, end of day, it is cheaper to run an HDx or pay rent for it rather than paying the electric bill, maintenance, equipment, towers, engineers, land poisoning, eye pollution, etc. Most of these AM driving translators, the AM is not being listened to, especially in Urban areas with a more robust cell wireless/IP infrastructure.

Z

Re: Data Dump: AM Station Totals Decline; Little Change for FM, TV

Posted by detectivetom <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=detectivetom' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 28, 2025, 8:43 am, in reply to "Data Dump: AM Station Totals Decline; Little Change for FM, TV"

Interesting article. Thank you for sharing.

As I recently posted, I am a dope. By “graveyard” did you mean the upper end of the dial?

My sons kid me about listening to AM radio. Maybe it comes from days as a youth tuning the radio trying to pick up out of town stations, as I am sure many here also did.

Re: Data Dump: AM Station Totals Decline; Little Change for FM, TV

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 28, 2025, 9:56 am, in reply to "Re: Data Dump: AM Station Totals Decline; Little Change for FM, TV"

1230, 1240, 1340, 1400, 1450, and 1490 are the graveyard stations, called Class C. I read 20% of all AM stations at one time are/were on those 6 frequencies. Lower power on those stations (1KW day/night) and a ton of interference abound. The higher you go up in the AM band, the tougher it is to actually have reliable local signal. Ever try listening to AM 1690 WVON especially after sunset? Yikes!

Z

Re: Data Dump: AM Station Totals Decline; Little Change for FM, TV

Posted by John from Wisconsin <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=John+from+Wisconsin' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 28, 2025, 4:16 pm, in reply to "Re: Data Dump: AM Station Totals Decline; Little Change for FM, TV"

Here's a thought. With AM on the decline, will the FCC one day say "run the translators. You don't need an AM (or even FM for that matter) originating signal"

Re: Data Dump: AM Station Totals Decline; Little Change for FM, TV

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 28, 2025, 4:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Data Dump: AM Station Totals Decline; Little Change for FM, TV"

John, probably not. Because, you can translate another full signal FM. So, if you eliminate the AM, at some point they will push not having to translate anything.

Z

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