List of radio stations in South Carolina

The list of radio stations in South Carolina encompasses all Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-licensed AM and FM broadcast stations operating within the state, totaling 283 outlets as of 2025 that deliver a wide array of programming to listeners across its urban and rural areas.^[1] These stations operate on frequencies ranging from 530 kHz to 1700 kHz for AM and 88 MHz to 108 MHz for FM, providing essential local news, weather updates, traffic reports, and entertainment to residents and visitors.^[2][3] South Carolina's radio landscape is dominated by three primary markets: Greenville-Spartanburg, Columbia, and Charleston, which together account for the majority of commercial stations and serve overlapping audiences in the Upstate, Midlands, and Lowcountry regions, respectively.^[4] In these markets, popular formats include country (e.g., stations like 92.5 WESC in Greenville-Spartanburg), top-40/contemporary hit radio (e.g., 93.5 WARQ in Columbia), urban contemporary (e.g., 107.3 WJMZ in Anderson), and religious programming, reflecting the state's diverse cultural and demographic profile.^[1] Additional markets such as Florence-Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island extend coverage to coastal areas, often featuring beach music and oldies formats unique to the region's heritage.^[5] Complementing the commercial sector, South Carolina maintains a robust public radio presence through the South Carolina Public Radio network, which operates eight stations broadcasting news and talk on one stream and news and music (including NPR affiliates and classical/jazz content) on another, reaching nearly the entire state and parts of North Carolina and Georgia.^[6] In March 2025, the network announced reductions in NPR programming while continuing its core news, talk, and music services. This network, affiliated with South Carolina ETV, emphasizes educational and informational programming, including local journalism and cultural events.^[6] Overall, the state's radio stations play a vital role in community engagement, emergency communications, and preserving Southern musical traditions like gospel and beach music.^[7]

Overview

Broadcasting History

Radio broadcasting in South Carolina began in the early 20th century with experimental transmissions, but the state's first commercial station, WSPA in Spartanburg, signed on the air on February 13, 1930, marking the official start of organized broadcasting in the region.^[8] This pioneer station quickly expanded its programming to include local news, live music, and the first play-by-play sports broadcasts in the state, such as a 1931 Clemson University football game.^[8] During the 1930s, amid the Great Depression, economic pressures led to consolidations among early broadcasters, though radio's affordability helped it thrive as a vital entertainment and information source for South Carolinians, with stations increasingly affiliating with national networks like NBC and CBS to access syndicated content.^[9] Pioneers such as Walter J. Brown, who served as president of WSPA and advanced broadcasting technology, played key roles in establishing stations that served both urban centers and rural agricultural communities, including innovative wired radio systems in upstate areas during the decade.^[10][11] The post-World War II era brought a boom in station licenses, with the South Carolina Broadcasters Association (SCBA) founded on June 30, 1948, to support the growing industry amid 24 new AM stations joining the 15 established between 1930 and 1945.^[12] Frequency modulation (FM) technology gained traction in the late 1940s and 1950s, with WSPA launching South Carolina's first FM station in 1947 and achieving the state's inaugural stereo broadcast in 1958 by combining AM and FM signals.^[8] In the 1960s, radio stations contributed to community broadcasting during the Civil Rights Movement, providing platforms for discussions on racial equality and mobilization efforts, particularly through Black-oriented programming that amplified voices in the South, including South Carolina.^[13][14] The Telecommunications Act of 1996 significantly altered the landscape by relaxing ownership limits, leading to widespread consolidation; nationally, the number of radio station owners dropped from over 5,100 to about 3,800 within five years, with similar effects in South Carolina as local outlets were acquired by larger corporations.^[15] By the 2000s, transitions to digital formats accelerated, with HD Radio implementations enhancing audio quality and adding subchannels for specialized programming.^[16] In the 2020s, streaming adoption has become prominent, exemplified by South Carolina Public Radio's expansion of online and HD multicast channels, enabling broader access to content beyond traditional over-the-air signals.^[17][18]

Current Landscape

South Carolina's radio market in 2025 encompasses three primary metropolitan areas ranked by Nielsen Audio based on 2024 data: Greenville-Spartanburg at #57, Charleston at #78, and Columbia at #90 nationally.^[19] These markets serve diverse populations, with Greenville-Spartanburg reaching over 1 million metro persons aged 12+, Charleston approximately 732,700, and Columbia around 639,400.^[20] The state hosts 283 active radio stations, comprising approximately 70 AM and 213 FM outlets (including low-power FM), reflecting a stable broadcast infrastructure amid digital shifts.^[1] Daily radio listenership in South Carolina aligns with national trends, where approximately 67% of adults tune in each day, though podcasts have risen to claim 19% of ad-supported audio time in early 2025.^[21] HD radio adoption is expanding, highlighted by South Carolina Public Radio's planned 2026 launch of a statewide 24/7 HD music channel to complement traditional programming.^[22] Ownership concentration is pronounced, with iHeartMedia controlling multiple stations across key markets like Columbia and Greenville-Spartanburg, while Cumulus Media operates multiple stations statewide, together exerting significant influence on content and advertising.^[23][24] FCC regulatory changes continue to shape the sector, building on 2013 Local Community Radio Act expansions that enabled more low-power FM (LPFM) licenses for nonprofit and community broadcasters.^[25] Effective January 2025, new rules allow full-power FM and LPFM stations to deploy boosters for originating content, potentially boosting coverage for smaller outlets.^[26] The FCC's 2025 actions included reviewing LPFM applications in South Carolina and adjacent states, though some proposals for weather alert networks were denied due to eligibility issues.^[27][28] Minority ownership enhances diversity, with Black-owned stations accounting for about 8% of U.S. radio outlets nationally, with notable examples in South Carolina's urban centers like Charleston and Columbia, such as WMXP-LP in Greenville, a community-focused LPFM serving Black audiences.^[29][30] Digital integration via apps like iHeartRadio has become standard, enabling stations to stream live content and podcasts to mobile users, thereby extending reach beyond over-the-air signals.^[23]

Active Stations

AM Stations

As of November 2025, South Carolina is home to 88 active AM radio stations licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), serving diverse communities across the state from urban centers like Columbia and Charleston to rural areas in the Upstate and Lowcountry.^[2] These stations operate in the medium-wave band (540–1700 kHz) and are known for their long-distance propagation potential during nighttime hours, though subject to strict power limits to mitigate interference. Daytime powers typically range from 250 watts to 50 kilowatts, while nighttime operations often drop to 1–10 watts or directional antennas to comply with international agreements and protect co-channel stations nationwide. Urban stations, such as those in Greenville and Columbia, generally maintain higher powers for broader coverage, reaching hundreds of miles, whereas rural outlets like those in Abbeville or Union focus on hyper-local service with modest signals. The format landscape emphasizes talk radio, religious broadcasting, and sports, reflecting AM's role in delivering syndicated content and community-focused programming. News/talk dominates in major markets, with religious stations prevalent in smaller towns; sports affiliations, including Clemson University football and basketball broadcasts on affiliates like WGVL (1440 AM, Greenville), add unique local flavor. Religious programming often features gospel music and sermons tailored to Southern audiences.^[31] Overall, talk and news formats account for a significant portion, followed by religious and sports, with the rest including country, urban gospel, and ethnic varieties.^[32] Recent developments include the addition of FM translators to bolster AM signals amid declining automotive reception and competition from digital media. The FCC's AM Revitalization initiative has facilitated new FM simulcasts for AM stations in South Carolina, enhancing accessibility in fringe areas—for instance, extending coverage for religious and talk outlets in the Midlands.^[33] The following table provides representative examples of active AM stations, organized by city of license, highlighting frequency, primary format, and licensee. This selection illustrates the diversity across the state; a full FCC database search yields all 88 entries.^[31]

FM Stations

South Carolina's FM radio landscape features approximately 160 active full-power stations operating within the 88-108 MHz band, delivering high-fidelity music, news, and talk programming to urban centers like Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville, as well as rural areas.^[3] These stations emphasize commercial broadcasting, with many leveraging omnidirectional antennas for broad coverage across the state's diverse terrain, from coastal plains to the Appalachian foothills.^[1] Format diversity reflects regional preferences, with country music leading at around 30% of stations, followed by Top 40 at 25%, and urban contemporary at 10%; market-specific niches include coastal jazz programming in Charleston markets.^[40] Ownership is concentrated among major groups, with iHeartMedia controlling approximately 31 stations statewide and Cumulus Media operating roughly 20, while independent operators manage smaller-town outlets.^[23][41] Technical advancements enhance FM delivery, including HD Radio implementations on over 50 stations for improved audio quality and multicasting capabilities, such as additional news or music channels.^[42] Additionally, approximately 30 FM translator stations extend coverage in mountainous Upstate regions like the Blue Ridge area, rebroadcasting primary signals to overcome terrain challenges.^[43] The following table provides representative examples of active FM stations, grouped by major market and frequency band, highlighting formats and ownership:

Defunct Stations

AM Defunct Stations

The history of AM radio in South Carolina includes numerous stations that have ceased operations over the decades, reflecting broader challenges in the medium such as economic pressures, regulatory shifts, and technological transitions. Early in the 20th century, several experimental AM stations launched in the 1920s but failed to sustain operations due to financial constraints and interference issues, with the Great Depression exacerbating closures in the 1930s as advertising revenue plummeted and the newly formed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reallocated frequencies, forcing some off the air.^[50] By contrast, the post-World War II era saw growth, but a resurgence of closures occurred from the 2010s onward, driven by the rise of digital media, declining listenership, and high operational costs unique to AM broadcasting.^[51] Key factors contributing to these closures include economic downturns and industry consolidation. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 relaxed ownership limits, enabling large media conglomerates to acquire multiple stations, which often led to format changes or shutdowns of less profitable AM outlets as resources shifted to FM or digital platforms; in South Carolina, this resulted in merged operations and the elimination of redundant AM signals in overlapping markets.^[52] More recently, post-2008 recession advertising slumps and the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on local revenue accelerated surrenders, with maintenance expenses for AM's complex directional antenna systems—required to comply with FCC interference rules and sunset provisions limiting nighttime power—proving prohibitive for small-market owners.^[51] These technical requirements, intended to protect distant signals, reduced effective coverage and viability for many rural South Carolina stations.^[53] The impacts of these closures have been particularly felt in rural communities, where AM stations historically provided essential local news, weather updates, and emergency information, leading to gaps in coverage as programming consolidated under fewer urban-based outlets.^[15] Archives of defunct stations' materials, including recordings and historical documents, are preserved through efforts like the South Carolina Broadcasters Association collection at the University of South Carolina's McKissick Museum, ensuring legacy content remains accessible for research.^[54] Since 2000, at least 20 AM stations in South Carolina have had their licenses deleted from FCC records, with additional historical closures bringing the total higher.^[55] Below is a selection of notable defunct AM stations, focusing on recent examples illustrating the trend: This table highlights patterns in small-town and regional AM losses, underscoring AM's vulnerability compared to FM in South Carolina's evolving media landscape.^[51]

FM Defunct Stations

Several FM radio stations in South Carolina have ceased operations since the early 2000s, contributing to a broader decline in local broadcasting amid economic pressures and technological shifts. Notable examples include WBAW-FM (99.1 MHz) in Barnwell, which went silent on April 25, 2016, after broadcasting a gospel format, and had its FCC license canceled on September 27, 2017, due to failure to resume operations within the required timeframe. Another case is WMXP-LP in Greenville, a low-power FM station owned by the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement that served the Black community with independent programming; it went silent on 95.5 MHz on July 16, 2023, after losing its transmission site and frequency due to interference from a nearby full-power station but relocated to 104.5 MHz with a new license granted July 31, 2024.^[57][58] These closures highlight challenges faced by smaller and community-oriented FM outlets, with low-power stations particularly vulnerable to regulatory and logistical issues. Reasons for these shutdowns vary but often involve intense competition from digital streaming services, which have eroded traditional listenership. The rise of platforms like Spotify and podcasts has accelerated revenue losses for FM stations, with many unable to compete on ad revenue or audience engagement; this trend intensified during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, when remote work and lockdowns boosted streaming adoption and led to a spike in stations going silent nationwide, including in South Carolina.^[59] License revocations by the FCC for violations, such as failure to maintain operations or interference, have also played a role, as seen with WMXP-LP's case involving third-adjacent channel complaints. Natural disasters have contributed as well; Hurricane Florence in September 2018 caused widespread damage in the coastal regions, leaving over two dozen stations temporarily dark due to flooding, power outages, and equipment destruction, with some rural FMs unable to recover financially.^[60] Defunct FM stations have left significant cultural legacies, particularly in music and community service. In Charleston, WXTC (96.1 MHz), known as "96 Wave," operated from 1985 to 2007 as an influential alternative and progressive rock outlet, introducing listeners to emerging bands and shaping youth culture in the Lowcountry before its format was abruptly dropped for talk radio.^[61] In the rural Black Belt regions of southern South Carolina, stations like WBAW-FM provided vital gospel programming that fostered community ties in areas with limited media access, offering spiritual and cultural content to underserved African American audiences until its closure.^[62] These outlets often filled gaps in representation, delivering localized voices that streaming services have struggled to replicate. Recent developments show some spectrum from defunct FMs being repurposed, aiding the survival of other broadcasts. For instance, in 2024-2025, frequencies from silent low-power stations in South Carolina were reallocated for FM translators boosting full-power signals, with at least five such repurposings approved by the FCC to extend coverage for rural areas. Additionally, format revivals have occurred, such as WAAW (94.7 MHz) in Williston returning to its original gospel branding "Shout 94.7" on May 7, 2025, after a brief stint as a sports station, breathing new life into community-focused programming.^[63]

Non-Commercial and Public Stations

Public Radio Networks

South Carolina Public Radio (SCPR), operating as the primary public radio network in the state, consists of eight FM transmitters that deliver programming across two main formats: News & Talk and News & Music.^[6] Established in 1972 as the South Carolina Educational Radio Network under the South Carolina Educational Television (SCETV) Commission, SCPR was an NPR member since its inception but in 2025 began reducing its reliance on NPR programming to prioritize local content, while continuing some national partnerships.^[64][65] The network, also known as the ETV Radio Network, is state-funded through the SCETV Commission and emphasizes classical and jazz programming in its News & Music stream, alongside news and talk in the other format.^[66] Key stations include WLTR at 91.3 FM in Columbia, which focuses on classical music and NPR cultural programs such as Performance Today, and WEPR at 90.1 FM in Greenville-Spartanburg, offering a blend of news, talk, and music with local inserts.^[67] Coverage maps from SCETV illustrate the network's statewide reach, serving approximately 1.28 million adults aged 18 and older weekly through primary transmitters and HD channels.^[68] Programming features daily NPR staples like Morning Edition and All Things Considered, complemented by local segments such as South Carolina Lede for state news analysis and The South Carolina Business Review for economic insights.^[6] The News & Music format includes jazz and classical shows like On the Keys and Echoes, while the overall schedule integrates regional content produced in-house at SCETV studios in Columbia.^[67] To support this shift toward more local programming, SCPR plans to expand its editorial staff from 7 to up to 20 journalists over the next 18-24 months, targeting coverage of local "news deserts."^[65] Funding for SCPR comes from a combination of state appropriations, listener donations via the ETV Endowment of South Carolina, and federal grants through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB); in fiscal year 2024, the ETV Endowment reported $8.8 million in unrestricted revenues to support public broadcasting operations, including radio.^[69] However, funding challenges intensified after 2020, culminating in 2025 federal rescissions that eliminated over $1 billion in CPB appropriations nationwide, resulting in the loss of approximately $3.4 million in grants for South Carolina's public radio and TV stations.^[70][71] To adapt, SCPR has expanded digitally with live streaming on its website, the SCETV app offering pause and rewind features, and integration with platforms like NPR One and TuneIn, alongside plans for a new 24/7 HD music channel launching in spring 2026.^[6] These efforts aim to maintain accessibility amid budget pressures and shifting listener habits.^[72]

Low-Power and Community Stations

Low-power FM (LPFM) stations in South Carolina represent a vital segment of the state's broadcasting landscape, designed to foster local voices and community engagement under Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules that cap their effective radiated power at 100 watts or less. This limitation typically confines their signal to a radius of about 3.5 miles, enabling hyper-local programming without competing directly with higher-powered commercial outlets.^[25] Following the FCC's 2013 filing window—the first major opportunity for new LPFM licenses in over a decade—South Carolina licensed more than 50 new stations, bringing the statewide total to approximately 60 as of 2025.^[73] These stations prioritize nonprofit operation and volunteer involvement, distinguishing them from larger public networks by their grassroots approach to content creation and management.^[74] A key emphasis of South Carolina's LPFM stations is enhancing diversity and localism, particularly through targeted outreach to underserved populations. In the Upstate region, around 10 stations serve Hispanic communities, including WHZK-LP (97.7 FM, Greenwood), which broadcasts Spanish-language programming to address cultural and informational needs in growing Latino areas.^[73] Rural stations further support cultural preservation, such as efforts in the Lowcountry where groups like the South Carolina Lowcountry Gullah People's Movement have pursued LPFM licenses to promote Gullah heritage through community-driven shows on stations like WKWQ-LP (100.7 FM, Beaufort).^[75][73] For instance, WXRY-LP (99.3 FM, Columbia) exemplifies community arts initiatives by airing independent alternative music curated by local volunteers, fostering artistic expression and civic dialogue.^[73] Ownership is predominantly nonprofit, with many stations affiliated with advocacy groups like the Prometheus Radio Project, which provided technical and organizational support to launches such as WMXP-LP (104.5 FM, Greenville), a variety station operated by the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement.^[76] LPFM operators in South Carolina often rely on volunteer models, where community members handle everything from DJ shifts to engineering, ensuring content reflects local issues like education, health, and cultural events.^[74] However, these stations face persistent challenges, including signal interference from nearby full-power FM broadcasters, as highlighted in the case of WMXP-LP, where construction plans were adjusted to mitigate predicted disruptions during the 2007-2013 rollout period.^[77] Recent FCC actions, such as the dismissal of ineligible applications from the 2023 filing window, underscore ongoing regulatory hurdles, yet they also signal potential for future growth in rural and underserved areas.^[27]