The chart released by the FCC detailing the number of licensed broadcast outlet as of the end of September 2014 will be useful as the prospect of change comes to the industry.
Normally, the station census doesn’t change all that much.
But at this point in time, we can expect the number of low power FMs to increase.
And we can expect to see dramatic decreases in the number of television stations, although the timing of that event will depend entirely on how well the FCC can stick to its proposed incentive auction schedule.
The FCC is aiming for some time next summer. Any time a major event lacks a specific target date, it’s a good reason to speculate on the low odds of hitting the nebulous bull’s eye.
Add in remarks of FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly at a recent FCC public meeting, in which he called meeting the deadline a “heavy lift” and you certainly have to wonder.
Here then, without any further chatter, is the census of stations as of 9/30/14.
4,715 AM STATIONS
6,633 FM COMMERCIAL
4,085 FM EDUCATIONAL
15,433 TOTAL
1,029 UHF COMMERCIAL TV
358 VHF COMMERCIAL TV
288 UHF EDUCATIONAL TV
107 VHF EDUCATIONAL TV
1,782 TOTAL
382 CLASS A UHF STATIONS
48 CLASS A VHF STATIONS
430 TOTAL
6,186 FM TRANSLATORS & BOOSTERS
2,842 UHF TRANSLATORS
945 VHF TRANSLATORS
9,973 TOTAL
1,635 UHF LOW POWER TV
380 VHF LOW POWER TV
2,015 TOTAL
873 LOW POWER FM
30,506 TOTAL BROADCAST STATIONS
