In Nielsen, a station that is fully simulcast can have its different signals and streams listed as a single item in the ratings reports. That means that an AM and an FM or an AM and an HD channel or an AM or FM with a stream can have them all listed together if they want. A station wants to do this almost always as the sum of the listening makes the station show up with a higher rank than having individual signals listed alone
However, a few stations have syndicated or third party shows that will not allow one of the signals to be broadcast on the other(s).
Usually this involves sports where, for example, an AM has play by play rights but they can't put the pbp on their FM. Nielsen allows a limited number of non-simulcast hours to be run without losing eligibility for SLR, Single Line Reporting.
Here is the client memo:
This time of year, many radio stations temporarily switch to a Holiday music format. Please be advised that even temporary format changes must apply to all stations in Nielsen Total Line Reporting (TLR) relationships in order for those stations to remain TLR eligible.
Nielsen requests that clients that have been granted TLR status familiarize themselves with Nielsen TLR policy and ensure their stations are compliant with that policy.
To be eligible for TLR, stations must broadcast the same programming and commercials for at least 95% of all quarter-hours during the report period/survey. In PPM markets, a TLR combo can break simulcast for up to 134 Quarter Hours (not counting any breaks in the overnight daypart) during the report period and remain TLR-eligible. In Diary markets, a TLR combo can break simulcast for up to 403 Quarter Hours (not counting any breaks in the overnight daypart) during the three month diary currency survey and remain TLR-eligible.
TLR partner stations may break simulcast and remain eligible for TLR under the following circumstances:
However, a few stations have syndicated or third party shows that will not allow one of the signals to be broadcast on the other(s).
Usually this involves sports where, for example, an AM has play by play rights but they can't put the pbp on their FM. Nielsen allows a limited number of non-simulcast hours to be run without losing eligibility for SLR, Single Line Reporting.
Here is the client memo:
This time of year, many radio stations temporarily switch to a Holiday music format. Please be advised that even temporary format changes must apply to all stations in Nielsen Total Line Reporting (TLR) relationships in order for those stations to remain TLR eligible.
Nielsen requests that clients that have been granted TLR status familiarize themselves with Nielsen TLR policy and ensure their stations are compliant with that policy.
To be eligible for TLR, stations must broadcast the same programming and commercials for at least 95% of all quarter-hours during the report period/survey. In PPM markets, a TLR combo can break simulcast for up to 134 Quarter Hours (not counting any breaks in the overnight daypart) during the report period and remain TLR-eligible. In Diary markets, a TLR combo can break simulcast for up to 403 Quarter Hours (not counting any breaks in the overnight daypart) during the three month diary currency survey and remain TLR-eligible.
TLR partner stations may break simulcast and remain eligible for TLR under the following circumstances:
- The stations break simulcast to broadcast different programming and different commercials; and
- Each simulcast break is at least one hour; and
- No single simulcast break is more than 12 continuous hours