There were less commercially licensed radio stations — regardless of band — at the end of Q1 2026 than there were at the end of 2025. That's one key takeaway from the latest Broadcast Station Totals courtesy of the FCC.

The maximum penalty for repeated infractions under the Congressionally approved PIRATE Act that may be levied by the FCC has increased to match inflation. That's one key revelation found in the Commission's fifth annual report to Congress detailing the implementation and enforcement activities of the Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act.