NAB's LeGeyt Lobbies Carr Against Geotargeted Radio

Geo-targeted radio ads would have “devastating impact” on the radio industry, NAB President Curtis LeGeyt told FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr in a call Friday, said an ex parte filing posted Wednesday in docket 20-401. “That the technology is pitched as ‘voluntary’ does nothing to assuage industry fears,” said the filing, arguing even if only some stations use the tech, it will bring ad rates down for all. “There are no anti-competitive or consumer harms that would result from dismissing GBS’s [GeoBroadcast Solutions] proposal,” LeGeyt told Carr. “The only interest truly in support of the rule change is a private one -- GBS -- while the public stands to lose considerably if the FCC grants GBS’s petition.” Radio personality Hugh Hewitt recently also wrote Carr condemning the geo-targeted radio proposal (see 2206020064). GBS didn’t comment.