List of radio stations in Connecticut

The list of radio stations in Connecticut comprises all full-power AM and FM broadcast stations licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to serve the state, including both commercial and non-commercial outlets that provide news, music, talk, and public affairs programming to residents and neighboring areas.^[1] As of November 2025, there are 95 such stations, with 33 operating on the AM band and 62 on the FM band, distributed across urban and rural communities.^[2] Connecticut's radio landscape is shaped by its position between major metropolitan areas, with stations in the southwestern Fairfield County often overlapping signals from New York City and those in the eastern regions influenced by Boston broadcasts, creating a diverse listening environment that extends into parts of New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.^[3] The state hosts several designated radio markets according to Nielsen Audio rankings, including the Hartford-New Haven market (ranked 54th nationally with a population of approximately 2.35 million) and smaller metros like Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk and New London.^[4] Prominent networks include Connecticut Public Radio (WNPR), which operates multiple non-commercial stations delivering NPR-affiliated content statewide and beyond, while commercial ownership is dominated by groups such as iHeartMedia (with several Hartford-area outlets) and Connoisseur Media (holding 5 stations in Connecticut post-2025 acquisitions).^[3][5][6] Formats range from contemporary hits and adult contemporary to sports talk and public radio, reflecting the state's mix of suburban commuters, urban centers, and coastal audiences.

Overview

History of Broadcasting

The history of radio broadcasting in Connecticut began in the early 1920s with experimental efforts that quickly evolved into commercial operations. On December 2, 1922, the Radio Corporation of New Haven, led by Franklin M. Doolittle, launched WPAJ in New Haven as the state's first continuous commercial radio station, operating initially at 30 watts on 833 kilocycles.^[7] This station, which relocated to Hartford in 1925 and adopted the call letters WDRC in 1927, remains Connecticut's oldest continuously operating commercial broadcaster today.^[7] Early broadcasts focused on music, news, and local events, reflecting the pioneering spirit of the era amid rapid technological advancements in amplitude modulation (AM) transmission.^[8] The 1930s and 1940s marked significant expansion and innovation, particularly in frequency modulation (FM) technology. In May 1939, W1XPW began experimental FM broadcasts from West Peak in Meriden, becoming the first FM station in Connecticut and one of the earliest in the nation, authorized by the Federal Communications Commission as an experimental high-fidelity service.^[8] This station transitioned to commercial status as W65H in 1941, later becoming WDRC-FM, contributing to the nationwide FM boom during World War II when AM frequencies were restricted for military use.^[7] By the late 1940s, additional AM and FM outlets proliferated across the state, serving growing urban centers like Hartford and New Haven with diverse programming amid post-war economic recovery.^[8] Post-World War II growth accelerated in the 1950s, solidifying radio's role in Connecticut's media landscape. The Connecticut Broadcasters Association was founded in 1955 at the studios of WNHC-AM/FM/TV in New Haven, uniting station owners to advocate for industry interests and promote professional standards.^[9] This period saw increased station launches and format diversification, from music to talk, as television emerged but radio retained strong listenership for on-the-go audiences.^[10] Public radio gained traction in the 1970s, with WPBH signing on in June 1978 as the inaugural station of what would become the Connecticut Public Radio network, now known as WNPR, focusing on educational and news content.^[11] The 1990s and 2000s brought major consolidation following the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which relaxed ownership limits and enabled large media groups to acquire multiple stations.^[12] In Connecticut, this led to clusters such as Clear Channel Communications (now iHeartMedia) controlling outlets including WWYZ (92.5 FM) and WKSS (95.7 FM) by the early 2000s, streamlining operations but raising concerns about programming diversity.^[13] By the mid-2000s, digital transitions emerged, with WDRC-AM becoming Connecticut's first HD Radio station in 2004 and FM stations like WWYZ and WKSS adopting HD by 2005 for enhanced audio quality and multicasting.^[13] As of 2025, stations such as WDRC continue to integrate streaming services alongside traditional over-the-air broadcasts, adapting to online listening trends while preserving historical formats.^[14]

Regulatory Framework

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates radio broadcasting in Connecticut through licensing, frequency allocation, and ownership rules designed to promote competition, localism, and public service. All commercial and noncommercial radio stations must obtain an FCC license to operate, with frequencies assigned based on engineering studies to minimize interference and ensure equitable access across the AM and FM bands. Licenses are generally issued for an eight-year term and require renewal applications demonstrating continued service to the community, adherence to operational standards, and compliance with content regulations such as equal time provisions and indecency restrictions.^[15][16] Connecticut's radio stations operate within defined markets under Nielsen Audio rankings, with Hartford-New Britain classified as the 54th largest U.S. radio market in 2025, encompassing a population of approximately 1.08 million. The Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk region functions as the separate Metro Fairfield County market, ranked 73rd as of 2025, where stations often compete with or extend signals from the adjacent New York market due to geographic proximity and commuter patterns.^[4][17] These market designations influence advertising revenue, programming strategies, and FCC ownership caps, which limit entities to owning no more than eight commercial stations in larger markets like Hartford (five commercial FM and three commercial AM).^[18] State-level oversight complements federal rules, particularly through coordination with the Connecticut Division of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications for implementation of the Emergency Alert System (EAS), mandating that all broadcasters relay national, state, and local emergency messages to ensure public safety during disasters. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 marked a pivotal deregulation by eliminating national ownership caps on radio stations, facilitating consolidation; for instance, iHeartMedia now controls a cluster of five Hartford-market stations, including WKSS (95.7 FM) and WWYZ (92.5 FM), enhancing operational efficiencies but raising concerns over reduced local content diversity.^[19][12][20] Following the Local Community Radio Act of 2010, which relaxed restrictions from the original 2000 LPFM rules, the FCC has authorized over 20 low-power FM stations in Connecticut for noncommercial community use, such as the former WCFV-LP (100.1 MHz) in Willimantic, which broadcast educational programming until ceasing operations. In 2025, the restoration of FCC spectrum auction authority via the One Big Beautiful Bill Act enables potential new bidding rounds for FM translators—low-power repeaters that extend primary station coverage—impacting AM revitalization efforts and FM band expansions in Connecticut's congested spectrum environment.^[21][22][23]

Active Stations

AM Stations

AM radio stations in Connecticut broadcast in the amplitude modulation band from 540 kHz to 1700 kHz and are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which mandates power reductions or directional antenna patterns at night for many stations to limit skywave interference with distant signals.^[24] This is particularly relevant for Connecticut stations near the New York border, where signals from powerful New York City AM outlets can cause reception challenges during nighttime hours. As of November 2025, no major new AM licenses have been issued in the state since the 2010s, maintaining a stable lineup of legacy and niche broadcasters focused on formats like news/talk, sports, ethnic programming, and religious content.^[25] The following table lists all currently licensed and operational AM stations in Connecticut, organized by frequency. Details include city of license, call letters, owner, and primary format; power levels vary by station class (e.g., up to 50 kW daytime for Class B stations like WTIC), with many employing directional antennas at night.^[26]

FM Stations

Connecticut's FM radio landscape features a mix of commercial, public, and non-commercial educational stations, providing diverse programming from contemporary hits and classic rock to NPR news and college radio. As of 2025, there are over 100 FM facilities licensed in the state, including full-power stations, low-power FM (LPFM) outlets, and translators that extend coverage, particularly in rural areas like Litchfield County. This table highlights major full-power commercial and public FM stations; a complete FCC database query yields additional translators, boosters, and LPFM stations. Major owners such as iHeartMedia dominate urban markets like Hartford and New Haven, while non-commercial educational FMs, including college stations, have seen growth in recent years. Recent trends include increased simulcasts of AM programming on FM translators.^[27][28][29] The following table lists key active FM stations, organized by frequency, with details on call letters, city of license, owner, format, effective radiated power (ERP) where applicable, and HD subchannels. This selection represents major full-power and notable LPFM/translator stations operational as of November 2025.^[27][28] FM translators and boosters play a crucial role in enhancing coverage, such as W280DA 103.9 FM in Torrington rebroadcasting WNPR for northwest Connecticut, and college-affiliated LPFMs like WAPJ 89.9 FM in Torrington offering variety programming. Recent 2025 updates include expanded non-commercial educational allocations, with stations like WWUH increasing digital streaming integration, and iHeartMedia's continued clustering in the Hartford-New Haven market influencing format synergies.^[5][28]

Defunct Stations

Former AM Stations

Several AM radio stations in Connecticut have ceased operations over the decades, often due to financial challenges, mergers, or shifts in broadcasting technology and audience preferences toward FM and digital media. These closures reflect broader trends in the AM band, where daytime-only stations and those with limited power faced increasing competition, leading to license cancellations or silences.^[25] One notable example is WTHT, which broadcast on 1230 kHz from Hartford. The station operated from August 12, 1936, to February 13, 1954, initially on 1200 kHz before moving to 1230 kHz in 1941. Owned by The Hartford Times newspaper, WTHT featured a general entertainment format typical of the era, including news, music, and local programming tied to its print parent. It ceased operations as part of a merger with WONS (now WPOP) to form WGTH-TV on channel 18, resolving competing FCC applications for the television frequency and converting studio facilities for TV use.^[30][31] Another defunct station was WBZY on 990 kHz in Torrington, a daytime-only operation that ran from 1948 to 1964. Previously known as WLCR, it served the local community with varied programming but struggled with financial issues common to small-market AM outlets. The station permanently signed off in January 1964, with its frequency later reassigned to WNTY in Southington (now WXCT). The closure was attributed to economic viability concerns in a region shifting toward larger broadcasters.^[32] WNLC on 1510 kHz in New London provides a more recent case, active from 1936 until going silent in late 1997 and having its license canceled on November 3, 1998. Operating with 10,000 watts and a complex eight-tower directional array to protect other signals, it broadcast news, talk, and music formats over its history. The shutdown stemmed from operational and financial difficulties, including maintenance of its elaborate antenna system near the Thames River.^[33][34] In the post-2000 era, AM closures in Connecticut have been limited but illustrative of ongoing decline, with over 100 U.S. AM stations licensed as silent nationwide by 2024 due to the FM shift and digital alternatives. A key example is WDJZ on 1530 kHz in Bridgeport, which went defunct with its license canceled on February 2, 2017, after operating as a daytime religious station. From a 2025 perspective, no new AM deletions have occurred in the state recently, though industry debates on AM profitability persist amid calls for regulatory support to sustain local service.^[35][36][37]

Former FM Stations

The history of FM broadcasting in Connecticut includes several stations that ceased operations, particularly during the medium's experimental phase in the 1940s and amid later economic shifts. These defunct FM outlets often pioneered local programming but struggled with technological transitions, such as the 1946 FCC frequency band relocation from 42-50 MHz to 88-108 MHz, and the rise of television, which diverted advertising revenue and listener attention. While FM stations generally experienced fewer closures than AM counterparts due to their growing popularity for music and variety formats, consolidations since the 1990s led to about 10-15 format endings or license relinquishments, often tied to corporate mergers under the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Notable examples illustrate these patterns. WBIB at 100.7 MHz in New Haven, Connecticut's first standalone FM station without an AM sister, operated from 1947 to 1954 with a general entertainment format focused on local news and music; it was owned by the Bridgeport Broadcasting Corporation at closure and shuttered due to insufficient revenue post-FM band shift. Similarly, WGCH at 95.9 MHz in Greenwich, the first standalone FM in Fairfield County, broadcast from 1948 to 1952, offering community-oriented programming including local events and classical music; owned by Greenwich Broadcasting Company, it closed amid the broader postwar decline in early FM viability as TV emerged. In the low-power era, WCFV-LP at 101.7 MHz (originally constructed for 92.7 MHz allocation considerations) in Willimantic served as a community religious station from 2014 until going off-air in the late 2010s due to non-renewal of its license by Calvary Fellowship of Willimantic, reflecting challenges for LPFM outlets in funding operations. Trends among defunct FM stations highlight the format's resilience compared to AM, with early 1940s experimental outlets comprising the bulk of closures—often beautiful music or variety stations that couldn't compete after the 1946 band change. Since the 1990s, mergers have driven most endings through format flips rather than full shutdowns, preserving spectrum for repurposing. As of 2025, core commercial FM licenses remain stable, though occasional deletions of FM translators occur due to interference resolutions or non-use, per FCC records.