Cumulus Media to Bring Innovative ZoneCastingTM Technology to Boston’s 104.5 XLO

Among the First U.S. Radio Stations to Adopt the Technology, 104.5 XLO Will Offer Advertisers New Geographic Targeting Capabilities Beginning in Q1 2027

BOSTON, MA - October 30, 2026 - Cumulus Media today announced plans to introduce ZoneCasting™ technology on Boston's 104.5 XLO (WXLO-FM) in partnership with Aktira, positioning the station among the first in the country to offer advertisers the ability to deliver different commercials simultaneously to listeners in distinct geographic areas within the same radio market. The technology is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2027.

Unlike traditional FM broadcasting, where all listeners hear the same commercial regardless of location, ZoneCasting™ will allow 104.5 XLO to deliver geographically targeted advertising to listeners in a designated zone east of Route 128, while audiences outside that zone continue to receive the station's primary broadcast. This gives advertisers greater flexibility to reach consumers in specific areas of Greater Boston without sacrificing the broad reach and impact of FM radio.

For local, regional and national businesses, the technology opens new opportunities to deliver messages that are more relevant to where consumers live, work, shop, and travel. A retailer, for example, could promote a location or offer specifically to listeners east of Route 128 while a different commercial airs at the same time elsewhere.

The initiative also complements Cumulus Media's use of Xperi's DTS AutoStage platform, which provides near-real-time insights into in-car radio listening. Together, these technologies create new opportunities for advertisers to better understand where audiences are listening and deliver more relevant messages to consumers throughout the market.

"Cumulus is bringing together two complementary technologies to make local radio more relevant and measurable," said Bob Goodell, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Media. "Xperi's DTS AutoStage platform, with more than 90,000 connected Boston vehicles providing daily radio listening data, gives us a clearer, near-real-time view of where in-car listening is occurring, while ZoneCasting™ gives us the ability to deliver selected advertising and content to those specific parts of the market. Together, they allow our customers to better take advantage of where people are listening, not just where they live."

"Cumulus is demonstrating what the next generation of local radio can look like," said Chris Devine, Chief Executive Officer of GeoBroadcast Solutions. "This deployment preserves the broad reach of FM while giving the station greater flexibility to serve the distinct communities within a large, diverse market."

For more information or to stream 104.5 XLO, visit: https://www.wxlo.com/.

About Cumulus Media

Cumulus Media is an audio-first media company delivering premium content to over a quarter billion people every month - wherever and whenever they want it. Cumulus Media engages listeners with high-quality local programming through 377 owned-and-operated radio stations across 84 markets; delivers nationally-syndicated sports, news, talk, and entertainment programming from iconic brands including the NFL, the NCAA, the Masters, US Soccer, and AP News, and many other world-class partners across more than 7,800 affiliated stations through Westwood One, the largest audio network in America; and inspires listeners through the Cumulus Podcast Network, its rapidly growing network of original podcasts that are smart, entertaining and thought-provoking. Cumulus Media provides advertisers with personal connections, local impact and national reach through broadcast and on-demand digital, mobile, social, and voice-activated platforms, as well as integrated digital marketing services, powerful influencers, full-service audio solutions, industry-leading research and insights, and live event experiences. Cumulus Media is the only audio media company to provide marketers with local and national advertising performance guarantees. For more information visit www.cumulusmedia.com.

Media Contact: Lisa Dollinger, Dollinger Strategic Communication for Cumulus Media, [email protected] and 512.633.4084