| State population (2000 census) | 1,048,319 | |||
| Population receiving a FM public radio signal | 912,742 | 87.1% | ||
| (from both in and out-of-state stations) | ||||
| Population in uncovered FM areas | 135,577 | |||
| Stations in State | FM stations | 0 | ||
| FM translators | 0 | |||
| AM stations | 2 | |||
| 1989 PTFP Study: | Population receiving a | |||
| FM public radio signal | 760,000 | 80% | ||
Broadcast Coverage Maps
FM
Stations - Detail FM Stations -
Printable
AM Stations -
Detail AM
Stations - Printable
Main stations in bold followed by associated repeaters and translators
Facilities in italics operated by out‑of‑state broadcasters
Location in ( ) - actual location of transmitting facilities
N - New facility since 1989 study # - Station now meets study criteria
FM Stations
None
AM Stations WRNI Providence WXNI Westerly
General Comments Rhode Island is the only state in the nation without a public FM station broadcasting from within its borders. Signals from FM stations in adjoining states provide public radio service to most of Rhode Island. Two public AM stations also provide public radio programming to most of the state.
In 1985, PTFP funded a study by the Rhode Island Public Telecommunications Authority which found that no FM frequencies were available for public, non-commercial stations. There is no indication that the situation has changed.
FM Service
FM Service is received from stations in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The percentage of the population receiving an out-of-state public FM radio signal increased from 80% in 1989 to 87% currently. The number of Rhode Island residents not receiving a public radio FM signal decreased from 187,000 to 135,577.
AM Service
Rhode Island is served by two public AM radio stations that are operated by WBUR Boston. WRNI(AM) 1290 kHz Providence is a 10 kW station that broadcasts 24 hours a day from studios in Providence. WXNI(AM) 1230 kHz, a 1 kW repeater, re-broadcasts the WRNI(AM) program service in Westerly, located in the southwest corner of the state near the Connecticut border. The WBUR group acquired the stations in 1999 and 2000 to provide the first local Rhode Island public radio service. The southern part of the state also receives public AM service from New York City.
Service from Adjacent States
Western Rhode Island receives public radio service from the Connecticut Public Radio transmitter in Norwich. The remainder of the state receives public radio from several stations in Boston, Massachusetts. As noted, the southern part of the state also receives public AM service from New York City.
Unserved Areas
Region A
The terrain in northern Rhode Island is characterized by rolling hills which prevent about 21,000 residents of Providence County and almost 21,000 residents of Kent County from receiving a FM public radio signal. These residents can receive AM public radio service from WRNI.
Region B
The largest unserved population in the state, about 90,000 residents, is found along the coastline in Washington County (52,000) and Newport County (38,000). These people can receive AM public radio service from WRNI or WXNI.
