America’s First FM Geotargeting Deployment: KADD Launches ZoneCasting

In August 2025, Radio Activo’s KADD(FM) “La Mejor 93.5,” became the first U.S. radio station to launch FCC-approved FM geotargeting using GeoBroadcast Solutions’ (GBS) ZoneCasting™ system. The deployment, in Nevada and Utah, represents a milestone in radio broadcasting by allowing FM stations to air localized programming and ads for up to three minutes per hour on synchronized boosters.

KADD was chosen as a natural candidate due to its rimshot signal into Las Vegas and terrain-related coverage gaps in St. George, Utah. To address this, GBS and its engineering partners built a single-frequency network (SFN) with five existing MaxxCasting™ boosters. Three boosters now serve Las Vegas (Henderson, Las Vegas, and North Las Vegas) while two cover St. George, forming distinct broadcast “zones” alongside the main transmitter.

The system works by feeding zoned audio through IP codecs, GPS-synchronized timing, and automation software, enabling seamless transitions between the main program and localized inserts such as ads, weather, or news. The project involved extensive collaboration among engineers, vendors, and equipment providers, with Broadcast Electronics transmitters and 2wcom codecs central to the setup.

A major technical focus was reducing self-interference between boosters and the main signal. To guide this work, GBS collaborated with NPR Labs and Towson University on research into how listeners perceive interference across different broadcast conditions, including audio format, delay, and competing signal strength. From this study, GBS developed the “Keep On Score” — a metric that indicates the point at which interference becomes noticeable enough for listeners to tune out. Using this benchmark, GBS reported that 90% of listeners stay tuned during transitions, with problem zones covering less than 5% of the signal area.

The deployment is seen as a template for future geotargeting rollouts, proving the concept works in both rugged and flat terrain. With advertisers increasingly seeking localized targeting, ZoneCasting may offer radio the competitive edge it needs to align with digital media trends.

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