FCC Actions
The FCC has entered into a consent decree with SPB LLC’s 960 WABG Greenwood MS including a $1000 penalty to resolve issues found following informal objections to its license renewal application in 2020. The commission upheld the objections noting that Bennie Wells increased his ownership stake from 33.3% to 100% of the licensee buying out his former two partners without FCC approval and failing to maintain the station’s online public file and biennial
ownership report.
The FCC has released its quarterly station count showing continued dropping of AM and commercial FM licenses countered by growth of non-commercial FM, LPFM, and boosters/translators.
| . | . | . | . | . | . | . | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AM | FM Commercial | FM Educational | Total Radio | LPFM | Translators & Boosters | Total Broadcast | |
| Jan 1970 | 4269 | 2083 | 399 | 6751 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Dec 1990 | 4987 | 4392 | 1440 | 10819 | 0 | 1866 | 19939 |
| Dec 1995 | 4909 | 5296 | 1815 | 12020 | 0 | 1541 | 22683 |
| Sep 1999 | 4783 | 5766 | 2066 | 12615 | 0 | 3237 | 24575 |
| Dec 2003 | 4794 | 6217 | 2552 | 13563 | 0 | 3834 | 26613 |
| Dec 2008 | 4786 | 6247 | 3040 | 14253 | 859 | 6120 | 29832 |
| Dec 2013 | 4727 | 6612 | 4019 | 15358 | 776 | 6054 | 30432 |
| Dec 2018 | 4619 | 6754 | 4135 | 15508 | 2172 | 7952 | 33342 |
| Dec 2019 | 4593 | 6772 | 4135 | 15500 | 2169 | 8182 | 33513 |
| Dec 2020 | 4551 | 6699 | 4195 | 15445 | 2136 | 8420 | 33564 |
| Dec 2021 | 4509 | 6676 | 4204 | 15389 | 2069 | 8866 | 33467 |
| Dec 2022 | 4484 | 6686 | 4207 | 15377 | 2015 | 8950 | 33517 |
| Dec 2023 | 4444 | 6663 | 4286 | 15393 | 1967 | 8927 | 33428 |
| Dec 2024 | 4383 | 6625 | 4477 | 15485 | 1968 | 8880 | 33373 |
| Dec 2025 | 4342 | 6589 | 4755 | 15686 | 1994 | 8867 | 33573 |
| Mar 2026 | 4310 | 6574 | 4783 | 15667 | 2007 | 8854 | 33552 |
Pirate Actions
The FCC has fined Aaron Streeter $60,000 for operating “Da Pound FM” on 89.1 in Miami Gardens FL. FCC agents met with Streeter at his home transmitter site in March 2024 where he agreed to cease broadcasting, but a return visit in January 2025 showed the station once again operating. He failed to respond to an FCC’s proposed forfeiture last March.
Notices of Illegal Pirate Radio Broadcasting to three New York property holders.
- RH 608-614 West 189th Street LLC for a station operating on 89.3 in northern Manhattan.
- David Duchatellier for a station operating on 90.1 in Jamaica, Queens.
- Thomas Chavannes and Beverly Dixon-Chavannes for a station on 91.9 in Jamaica, Queens.
License Cancellations
Salem Media surrendered the license for 620 KTNO Plano/Dallas TX.
The College of William & Mary requested cancellation of 90.9 WCWM Williamsburg VA. The station’s programming continues to be heard online.
After shutting down 1380 WHLS (formerly WPHM) Port Huron and 1590 WHLX Marine City/92.7 W224DT Port Huron at the start of the month, Liggett Communications has turned in their licenses.
Townsquare Media surrendered its license for 1520 KOLM Rochester MN after taking it silent in April 2025.
Marion Williams turned in its license for Gospel 1150 WONG/105.5 W288DU Canton MS.
After going silent last March, Freeland Broadcasting Service’s 1530 WWDX Huntingdon TX expired.
After going Silent last May, Saga Communications surrendered 1490 WINQ and 106.9 W295CO Brattleboro VT.
Silent Notifications
- Cumulus Media’s 1070 WAPI Birmingham AL (Negotiating sale)
- The Augustus Foundation’s 107.7 WAOJ Lisman AL (Equipment damage)
- Pharis Broadcasting’s 94.5 KFPW-FM Barling AR (Pending closing of sale)
- WPGS Inc’s 840 WPGS Mims FL (Removal of tower)
- Cumulus Media’s 1260 WFTW Fort Walton Beach FL (Negotiating sale)
- Connoisseur Media’s 1570 KMCD Fairfield IA (Financial reasons)
- Connoisseur Media’s 95.9 KKFD-FM Fairfield IA (Financial reasons)
- Midwest Communications’ 1290 WIRL Peoria IL (Adverse market conditions)
- Cumulus Media’s 1570 WWCK Flint MI (Negotiating sale)
- Cumulus Media’s 1240 KLIK Jefferson City MO (Negotiating sale)
- VP Broadcasting’s 1320 WTKZ Allentown PA (Transmitter repair)
- Dick Broadcasting’s 1130 WHHW Hilton Head Island SC (Tower lease expiration)
- Cumulus Media’s 94.9 KOLI Electra TX (Negotiating sale)
- Townsquare Media’s 1340 KKAM Lubbock TX (Economic conditions)
- B&H Broadcasting System’s 103.5 KZRB New Boston TX (Station sale)
- Bible Clarity’s 1600 KTUB Centerville UT (Loss of tower site)
- Green River Foundation’s 1330 KGRG Emumnclaw WA (Transmitter repair)
FM Changes
Elijah Radio seeks to upgrade Christian Preaching 88.1 WSJL Bessemer AL from a Class A to C1 where it will fully cover Birmingham with 7.9kW/664.8m.
