Utah's KADD radio station is now broadcasting programming through ZoneCasting technology.
First Commercial Geotargeting in FM Broadcasting Now Live in Utah
The radio landscape is changing, with the first commercial implementation of GeoBroadcast Solutions (GBS) ZoneCasting technology now on the air at KADD(FM) "La Mejor 93.5" in Utah. This marks a significant milestone following years of experimental testing since 2010 in various states.
GBS ZoneCasting uses a single-frequency network (SFN) with multiple transmitters and boosters to deliver hyper-localized content to distinct geographic zones within an FM station's broader coverage area. For instance, KADD targets the Las Vegas metro area as one zone and St. George, Utah as another, broadcasting tailored ads, traffic updates, and news specific to each.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) changed its rules last year to allow limited unique programming on FM boosters. This change followed a visit by then-FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks to KADD to learn about its geotargeting plans. The FCC's new framework addresses technical and regulatory challenges, though concerns remain from some industry groups like the National Association of Broadcasters about potential interference, listener confusion, and economic impact on radio advertising.
The technology enables broadcasters to transmit up to three minutes per hour of unique programming per zone. This could potentially revolutionize the broadcasting landscape, offering true geotargeted content delivery beyond traditional single-signal coverage zones. Localized advertising and community information are promising applications for this technology.
The installation for KADD(FM) "La Mejor 93.5" was done by Broadcast Electronics, GeoBroadcast Solutions, and Radio Activo Broadcasting. The stations are now expanding their footprint to St. George, Utah.
This development represents a significant evolution in FM broadcasting’s ability to tailor content geographically, enabled by recent regulatory changes and advances in SFN transmission. The full impact on the broader broadcasting landscape will unfold as more stations adopt and optimize these capabilities.
| Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | Implementation | First commercial installation live at KADD(FM) Utah as of August 2025 | | Technology | Single-frequency network transmitters and boosters for zone-specific broadcasts | | FCC authorization | Limited unique content allowed, up to 3 minutes per hour per booster zone | | Uses | Hyper-local ads, news, traffic, customized for each geographic zone | | Industry views | Seen as transformative by GBS; concerns about interference and listener confusion by some broadcasters | | Status | Early commercial rollout phase; experimental testing for 15+ years preceded |
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- The first commercial implementation of GeoBroadcast Solutions ZoneCasting technology, which utilizes a single-frequency network with multiple transmitters and boosters for hyper-localized content delivery, is now live at KADD(FM) in Utah.
- This advancement in FM broadcasting technology, following years of experimental testing since 2010, allows broadcasters to transmit unique programming per zone, potentially up to three minutes per hour.
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) changed its rules last year to allow limited unique programming on FM boosters, enabling a new framework for broadcasting that addresses technical and regulatory challenges.
- The technology is expected to revolutionize the broadcasting landscape, offering true geotargeted content delivery beyond traditional single-signal coverage zones, with localized advertising and community information as promising applications.
