Audacy has partnered with GeoBroadcast Solutions (GBS) to deploy MaxxCasting signal-optimization technology in New York City, targeting two key FM stations: WCBS-FM (101.1), the iconic classic hits outlet branded as "New York's Greatest Hits," and WXBK-FM (94.7 The Block), the Newark-licensed station delivering classic hip-hop and throwbacks to the metro area.
The agreements will install synchronized on-channel boosters to eliminate "invisible coverage gaps" caused by New York's skyscrapers, urban terrain, and street-level obstacles—issues that disrupt even powerful FM signals in vehicles, on sidewalks, and indoors where most listening occurs.
"Even strong FM signals can have invisible coverage gaps," a GBS spokesperson stated. "Broadcast planning historically assumed ideal conditions and rooftop antennas. But real listening happens at street level, in motion, in dense markets like New York. MaxxCasting is designed specifically to address those realities."
John Kennedy, Audacy's Senior Vice President of Technical Operations, highlighted the competitive stakes in the nation's largest radio market. "Improving signal consistency is critical in competitive markets like New York," Kennedy said.
WCBS-FM transmits from high atop the Empire State Building, while WXBK-FM broadcasts from a site near the Meadowlands in Rutherford, New Jersey—distinct setups that still face nulls in the dense Tri-State environment. MaxxCasting's approach uses precisely timed boosters to fill those dead spots without interfering with the main signal.
The New York rollout follows successful MaxxCasting deployments by Audacy in other challenging urban and hilly markets, including San Diego, San Francisco (on stations like Alice @ 97.3 KLLC and ALT 105.3 KITS), and San Jose. Those implementations have expanded effective coverage, boosted listener reach by hundreds of thousands in some cases, and improved reception quality in complex RF landscapes.
By modernizing infrastructure for real-world urban realities, Audacy aims to enhance listener loyalty, reduce drop-offs due to poor signal, and solidify its edge against digital audio competitors in a market where consistent FM performance remains a key differentiator. The project marks a significant investment in next-generation FM broadcast tech for one of radio's toughest battlegrounds.