Hugh Hewitt Asks Carr to Oppose Geotargeted Radio Proposal

proposal -- said the proposal, which would allow radio stations to target advertisements to small sections of their markets, “is a torpedo aimed at midship for my program and those like it.” Hewitt echoed arguments from NAB and others that the targeted ads -- which could potentially be offered at cheaper rates to advertisers because they would reach fewer listeners -- would create “downward pressure” on advertising rates. This “could very well be the final straw for many stations -- especially smaller stations -- and would only further strengthen digital platforms such as Google, Twitter, and Meta,” Hewitt said. Carr should recognize the proposal as a “real threat” to radio because of his “admirable crusade to combat censorship and promote free political discourse,” Hewitt said. “When Chairman [Ajit] Pai was in office I would email him with the understanding that my communications are for the applicable notice and comment proceedings, and I welcomed him on air to discuss,” Hewitt said. “The same invitation is open to you.” "Mr. Hewitt expresses concern about Big Tech and that geotargeting by radio will somehow inure to Big Tech’s benefit," emailed a spokesperson for GeoBroadcast Solutions, the primary proponents of the geotargeted radio proposal. "But any small- and medium sized station owner will tell you that it’s precisely because radio cannot geotarget that advertisers have fled to the very platform Mr. Hewitt is concerned about: Big Tech.”