The last thing I thought I would ever have to do is keep an Arbitron diary.
In mid December I received the “Be Part of the Radio Ratings” letter. Kudos to Arbitron for sending the letter since the phone number they tried to contact me on had been disconnected for at least three months. Being a good participant I went to www.enroll.arbitronratings.com and typed in my serial number. I would click the ineligible button and be done. I thought I would be excluded from participating but the only exclusions are those who work for a Radio, TV or Cable companies/networks. Print, Outdoor, Internet, Agency among other people need to participate. Seems there could be some conflicts of interest in my opinion.
Just today I opened my mailbox to find my Arbitron diaries. Almost one month later. Given the timing with the Holiday’s, some of you will be thankful Arbitron took so long in sending the diaries.
Since I was out of town most of this week I have no idea when the diaries arrived but I was certainly surprised to find I should have been recording my listening this week. No problem I was out of town. I will check the box “out of town.” The only problem is that box doesn’t exist. Trying to recall yesterday and today’s listening from a three different cities is almost impossible. I didn’t catch or know the call letters or city of license to 93.7 in the state I was in so who will get credit? Why would I need to record listening from outside my metro? And no where does it say record stations that you listened to for 5 minutes or more. The instructions are to record “all” listening and listening defined by Arbitron is “any time you can hear a radio-whether you choose the station or not…”
The other problem I now have is the other two diaries go to members who are not currently here. The only box to check is “If you didn’t hear a radio today please mark x here.” I would imagine the average person would check that box and you could see PUR’s dip. But before I mail them back I will call the handy Arbitron 800 number with questions.
Next Wednesday can’t get here soon enough but at least I don’t have to worry about carrying around a people meter.
In mid December I received the “Be Part of the Radio Ratings” letter. Kudos to Arbitron for sending the letter since the phone number they tried to contact me on had been disconnected for at least three months. Being a good participant I went to www.enroll.arbitronratings.com and typed in my serial number. I would click the ineligible button and be done. I thought I would be excluded from participating but the only exclusions are those who work for a Radio, TV or Cable companies/networks. Print, Outdoor, Internet, Agency among other people need to participate. Seems there could be some conflicts of interest in my opinion.
Just today I opened my mailbox to find my Arbitron diaries. Almost one month later. Given the timing with the Holiday’s, some of you will be thankful Arbitron took so long in sending the diaries.
Since I was out of town most of this week I have no idea when the diaries arrived but I was certainly surprised to find I should have been recording my listening this week. No problem I was out of town. I will check the box “out of town.” The only problem is that box doesn’t exist. Trying to recall yesterday and today’s listening from a three different cities is almost impossible. I didn’t catch or know the call letters or city of license to 93.7 in the state I was in so who will get credit? Why would I need to record listening from outside my metro? And no where does it say record stations that you listened to for 5 minutes or more. The instructions are to record “all” listening and listening defined by Arbitron is “any time you can hear a radio-whether you choose the station or not…”
The other problem I now have is the other two diaries go to members who are not currently here. The only box to check is “If you didn’t hear a radio today please mark x here.” I would imagine the average person would check that box and you could see PUR’s dip. But before I mail them back I will call the handy Arbitron 800 number with questions.
Next Wednesday can’t get here soon enough but at least I don’t have to worry about carrying around a people meter.