NABOB, NNPA Talk Up Geo-Targeting FM Broadcasts With FCC's Rosenworcel

Allowing FM broadcasters to originate content from booster stations will benefit minority-owned stations, minority advertisers and minority audiences, media executives told FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Media Bureau Chief Holly Sauer, per a docket 20-401 ex parte post Monday. They said Roberts Radio's WRBJ-FM Brandon, Mississippi, in geo-targeting tests held in Jackson, Mississippi, had improved coverage and Nielsen ratings, which enabled it to draw in new advertisers. The WRBJ testing also shows the booster tech can be designed to minimize interference between primary and geo-targeted booster signals while creating "miniscule" transition areas in low-populated or unpopulated areas of a broadcaster's footprint, the execs said. They said there's zero risk of cross-channel interference. Meeting with Rosenworcel were National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters CEO James Winston, National Newspaper Publishers Association CEO Benjamin Chavis, Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council CEO Robert Branson, Roberts Radio CEO Steve Roberts, JAM Media Solutions CEO Jonathan Mason and Kizart Media Partners Managing Director Sherman Kizart.