A quick Googling shows that, in the US, at least up until 2013, you could obtain...

		saalweachter on April 9, 2023 \| parent \| context \| favorite \| on: FCC warns Portland church to shut down pirate FM o... A quick Googling shows that, in the US, at least up until 2013, you could obtain a LPFM (<100W) license from the FCC for free. https://www.prometheusradio.org/startup_costs So it kinda seems like it was a thing?