Lawmakers Write to Rosenworcel Opposing Geotargeted Radio

A proposal to modify FM booster rules to allow geotargeted radio broadcasts “could have negative implications” for rural communities, said a letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel from Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-S.C., and 12 other members of the House Commerce Committee posted in docket 20-401 Wednesday. The tech could allow broadcasters to exclude rural areas, the letter said. “We urge the FCC to consider the implications the ZoneCasting proposal could have on rural communities and the risks it especially poses for people in areas with little access to broadband,” said Duncan in a release about the letter shared by NAB, a vocal opponent of the booster proposal, which is backed by geotargeted radio company GeoBroadcast Solutions. “As we have seen from Hurricane Ian, broadcast radio is essential for many rural communities that rely heavily on local radio, and the FCC’s proposal to selectively target certain geographic areas could inhibit these communities from receiving essential information and having access to broadcast radio.” GBS said the proposal is designed to make targeted ads more affordable, and adoption of geotargeted radio would be entirely voluntary.