A method implementable in an audio receiver having an input for receiving broadcast signals including a set of channels and a squelching controller includes converting the signals associated with each channel into respective digital signals, and tuning the digital signals associated with a first subset of the channels. For each channel of the first channel subset, a respective set of amplitudes associated with respective frequencies of the associated digital signal is determined. A random-noise-level value associated with each channel of the first channel subset is determined from each set of the signal amplitudes. If a signal amplitude associated with a first channel of the first channel subset exceeds the random-noise-level of the first channel, a second subset of the channels of the set is tuned. Otherwise, the random-noise-levels are provided to the squelching controller.