Home Login RADIO ONLINE RSS Facebook
Advertisement

FCC Approves ZoneCasting Field Tests on KSJO/San Jose


GEOBroadcast Solutions
GEOBroadcast Solutions

The FCC has approved a GeoBroadcast Solutions application for experimental operation to build and operate two new co-located on-channel boosters at two discrete locations in order to garner additional data using the ZoneCasting FM booster system, which would provide broadcast radio the opportunity to air geo-targeted programming. The test will be conducted through Universal Media Access' KSJO-FM in San Jose, a South Asian/Indian broadcaster.

The trial is meant to demonstrate KSJO's ability to add localized weather and traffic, news, advertising and EAS tests during short parts of a broadcast hour, showing how seamlessly unrecognizable it will be to the average listener.

"Our signal reaches a broad section of the Bay Area, including San Francisco and San Jose. We're always looking for ways to improve the listener experience and are intrigued to see the opportunities ZoneCasting can provide KSJO in the future," said Universal Media Access President and CEO Bill Saurer.

This is the fourth Experimental Permit requested to test this technology and the second Experimental Permit request using the same booster configuration. The requested testing will use a back-to-back booster configuration set up at different locations near the busy I-680 corridor. The request is for a period of 90 days.

The cost of the field test will be shouldered by GeoBroadcast. The filing was made through Bert Goldman, President of Goldman Engineering Management, who will install the booster setup. Oversight and auditing of the trial will be made by Dennis Roberson President and CEO of Roberson and Associates, a technology and management consulting company to the radio industry.

"The KSJO Zonecasting demonstration will prove that ZoneCasting can be very simply implemented, in this case, adding only one booster location and can significantly improve coverage in low signal areas while providing geo-targeted programming which can benefit hundreds of thousands of listeners without interference," said Goldman.

Industry groups, media and advertising companies, broadcasting companies, minority coalitions and individual stations have all supported and seen the prospects for ZoneCasting technology, which can help stations provide content to better serve their communities by offering hyper-localized news, weather, emergency alerts, advertising and alternative languages during a small part of the broadcast hour.

The rule GeoBroadcast seeks to change relates to FM boosters and their ability to originate geo-targeted content; there would be no changes to the FCC's rules regarding interference or translators.

Advertisement

Latest Radio Stories

Hilary Doneux Named 91X/San Diego Brand Manager
Hilary Doneux
Hilary Doneux
San Diego Alternative XTRA-FM (91X) promotes longtime staffer Hilary Doneux to Brand Manager and welcomes back Marty Whitney to morning drive. The changes come as current Program Director Garett Michaels departs to become General Manager of KSER (90.7 FM) in Everett, WA. While stepping down from day-to-day More

Senate Confirms Olivia Trusty as FCC Commissioner
Olivia Trusty
Olivia Trusty
The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed Olivia Trusty to serve as a commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), filling the vacancy left by former Commissioner Nathan Simington and giving Republicans a 2-1 majority on the currently three-member panel. Trusty, a veteran policy advisor More

Dr. Demento Retires After 55-Year Radio Career
Dr. Demnto (Photo credit: Martha Hartnett / Los Angeles Times Photographic Collection)
Dr. Demnto (Photo credit: Martha Hartnett / Los Angeles Times Photographic Collection)
Barry "Dr. Demento" Hansen, the legendary radio personality who spent more than five decades championing comedy, novelty, and the bizarre in music, has announced his retirement at the age of 84. The host of "The Dr. Demento Show" shared the news during his most recent episode, marking the end of regular More
Advertisement

David Andrews Joins WBZ-FM as On-Air Contributor
David Andrews
David Andrews
WBZ-FM (98.5 The Sports Hub) in Boston, the flagship station of the New England Patriots, announced today that recently retired Patriots captain and center David Andrews will join the station as a contributor during the 2025 NFL season. The two-time Super Bowl champion will appear weekly on The Zolak & More

Julian Nieh Joins ''Mercedes in the Morning'' on Mix 94.1
Julian Nieh
Julian Nieh
Julian Nieh joins "Mercedes in the Morning" on KMXB-FM (Mix 94.1) in Las Vegas, teaming with longtime host Mercedes Martinez. The show airs weekdays from 5-10a. PT. Nieh began his career in Washington, DC, hosting one of the first night shows at Hot 99.5, and later moved into on-air roles at B96 in Chicago, More

PodcastOne Renews and Expands A&E Networks Partnership
PodcastOne
PodcastOne
PodcastOne has extended its partnership with A&E Networks, securing continued sales and distribution rights to five of the network's most popular true crime podcasts: "Cold Case Files," "I Survived," "American Justice," "City Confidential," and "Ancient Aliens." The agreement More

Return to Menu

Advertisement

Subscribe to our Newsletter
Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free.

Advertisement

Advertisement