FCC Report 7/13: AM & Commercial FM Station Counts Fall; Non-Commercial FM Soars

FCC Actions

The FCC has released its updated station count list.

Since the end of 2024, AM station licenses dropped by 23, commercial FM licenses dropped by 23, while non-commercial FM licenses jumped up by 212.

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The FCC has revised the FM Table of Allotments to restore eight vacant allocations in Texas, while removing three others that are no longer vacant in Texas and Wisconsin.

Restored to the FM Table are: 100.7 C3 Crosbyton, 99.7 A Encinal, 100.5 A and 107.3 C3 Junction, 107.3 A Knox City, 105.1 A Sanderson, 96.7 A Turkey, and 94.7 C2 Wells TX.

Removed are 93.5 C2 Junction TX, 92.7 A Mullin TX, and 99.5 A New Holstein WI.

Pirate Actions

The FCC has entered into a Consent Decree with Jean Marius of Randolph MA with a $10,000 fine with a further penalty of $587,775 if he violates the PIRATE Act or defaults on payment in the next 20 years. Marius’ “Radio Tele Planet Compas” was issued a proposed penalty of $597,775 last year for operating on both 105.3 in Brockton and 89.3 Mattapan MA. The FCC noted at the time that their Boston Field Office has been aware of Marius’ operation since 2004 on 89.3 in Randolph MA which led to a proposed fine in 2005 for $10,000 and was later given a Notice of Unlicensed Operation in 2017. Following FCC agents visits in June and July 2023, Marius stated he ceased operation on-air.

Notices of Illegal Pirate Radio Broadcasting to property owners Diana Hill (91.3 Bronx NY) and Sam Marshall (92.1 Sweet Home OR) for pirate stations emanating from their properties.

Silent Notifications

• Joy Christian Ministries’ 870 WQRX Valley Head AL (Loss of transmitter site/sale negotiations)
• Q Broadcasting Corporation’s 790 WLBE Leesburg-Eustis FL (Copper theft)
• Norsan Media’s 92.1 WJXR Macclenny FL (Transmitter building fire)
• Call Communications Group’s 91.7 WMKJ Tavernier FL (Transmitter failure)
• VCY America’s 88.1 WPTH Olney IL (Transmitter failure)
• Missouri River Christian Broadcasting’s 90.3 KGNN-FM Cuba MO (Transmitter/antenna system failure)
• Estuardo Valdemar Rodriguez’s 1530 WLLQ Chapel Hill NC (Flood damage)
• Elizabeth City State University’s 89.9 WRVS-FM Elizabeth City NC (Tower dismantling/replacement)
• Latino Media Network’s 870 KLSQ Whitney NV (System operations test)
• Freeland Broadcasting Company’s 100.9 WEIO Huntingdon TN (Financial reasons)
• Texas Public Radio’s 1450 KCTI Gonzales TX (Power amplifier failure)
• Green River College’s 89.9 KGRG-FM Auburn WA (Loss of transmitter site/exploring sale)
• Midwest Communications’ 970 WDUL Superior WI (Transmitter failure)

AM Changes