People Meter delayed in 9 markets per Arbitron

[davideduardo]

The headline is...

"Arbitron to delay commercialization of the Portable People MeterTM radio ratings service in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Dallas Company Revises Financial Guidance For 2007"

All markets are delayed until the end of 2008... the diary metod will be used in the meantime.

Full Arbitron Press release is at http://www.onlinepressroom.net/arbitron/

or... http://vocuspr.vocus.com/VocusPR30/Newsroom/Query.aspx?

 

[Shoot From Hip]

Every General Manager in those markets just got a windfall in the form of reduced expenses because the 65% fee increases Arbitron is extracting for PPM are being delayed 9 months. Who's taking bets on whether that money gets immediately dropped to the bottom line, or whether headquarters just issued a memo advising stations to update their budget numbers to reflect the change? On the other hand, a number of stations have recently adjusted formats, lineups, and marketing plans in anticipation of a new currency that just got delayed and could face further modification.

 

[calguy]

Every General Manager in those markets just got a windfall in the form of reduced expenses because the 65% fee increases Arbitron is extracting for PPM are being delayed 9 months. Who's taking bets on whether that money gets immediately dropped to the bottom line, or whether headquarters just issued a memo advising stations to update their budget numbers to reflect the change? On the other hand, a number of stations have recently adjusted formats, lineups, and marketing plans in anticipation of a new currency that just got delayed and could face further modification.

I would say it's more serious for the programming people who have made adjustments. They have to be thinking "now what?"

 

[davideduardo]

Every General Manager in those markets just got a windfall in the form of reduced expenses because the 65% fee increases Arbitron is extracting for PPM are being delayed 9 months. Who's taking bets on whether that money gets immediately dropped to the bottom line, or whether headquarters just issued a memo advising stations to update their budget numbers to reflect the change? On the other hand, a number of stations have recently adjusted formats, lineups, and marketing plans in anticipation of a new currency that just got delayed and could face further modification.

I would say it's more serious for the programming people who have made adjustments. They have to be thinking "now what?"

The degree of "adjustment" is actually minor... a good station is a good station. I have not seen significant modifications of any station in Philly, Houston or the now defunct NY PPM (they will use diaries to do the fall book). The little tweeks actually benefit the diary methodology too...

Of course, the resurgence of CBS FM and Fresh and KTU in NY may not be so apparent on a return to the diary. Arbitron still insists Philly and Houston are valid... how can something that is not working also be working?

 

[hamNcheese]

I am so glad they are going back to the diaries. I mean, all those years of perfecting it. to get exact ratings. why mess with a good thing?



:

 

[Shoot From Hip]

Every General Manager in those markets just got a windfall in the form of reduced expenses because the 65% fee increases Arbitron is extracting for PPM are being delayed 9 months. Who's taking bets on whether that money gets immediately dropped to the bottom line, or whether headquarters just issued a memo advising stations to update their budget numbers to reflect the change? On the other hand, a number of stations have recently adjusted formats, lineups, and marketing plans in anticipation of a new currency that just got delayed and could face further modification.

I would say it's more serious for the programming people who have made adjustments. They have to be thinking "now what?"

The degree of "adjustment" is actually minor... a good station is a good station. I have not seen significant modifications of any station in Philly, Houston or the now defunct NY PPM (they will use diaries to do the fall book). The little tweeks actually benefit the diary methodology too...

Of course, the resurgence of CBS FM and Fresh and KTU in NY may not be so apparent on a return to the diary. Arbitron still insists Philly and Houston are valid... how can something that is not working also be working?

I'm thinking the list is actually a bit longer. Clear Channel modified KYSR and KBIG in LA to be more PPM-friendly; CBS Radio dumped Free FM all across the country in favor of Oldies in SF, Fresh in Chicago, etc.

 

[davideduardo]

I'm thinking the list is actually a bit longer. Clear Channel modified KYSR and KBIG in LA to be more PPM-friendly; CBS Radio dumped Free FM all across the country in favor of Oldies in SF, Fresh in Chicago, etc.

Free was a bomb in the diary, too. So that was a Hollender mistake that Mason had to correct. Star and KBIG were underperforming, so both changes would have come no matter what. Fresh, in the diary, was decimating the Lite younger demos, and while it looks even better in the PPM, there is still reason to believe this was a "right move" Mason would have made anyway.

The PPM is not gone, it has just been sent back to the factory for redesign.

 

[jrplbg]

PPM has exposed the dirty little secret... less people are listening to radio than has been reported all these years. Radio owners do NOT want PPM to reveal this. They're doing everything they can to fight this... and since we're talking mounds and mounds of money, they'll get their way. Arbitron will cave. The LAST thing radio wants (or needs) is ACCURATE ratings.

 

[davideduardo]

PPM has exposed the dirty little secret... less people are listening to radio than has been reported all these years. Radio owners do NOT want PPM to reveal this. They're doing everything they can to fight this... and since we're talking mounds and mounds of money, they'll get their way. Arbitron will cave. The LAST thing radio wants (or needs) is ACCURATE ratings.

No broadcaster has proposed that electronic measurement cease. We all want accurate measurement, and that means true proportionality in every stratification variable and 100% DDI compliance. We are getting neither.

Everyone knew that the diary rounded listening... that is human nature. There is no discussion on PUR levels, and no complaints. The issue is sample, sample and sample.

 

[Hunter]

PPM has exposed the dirty little secret... less people are listening to radio than has been reported all these years. Radio owners do NOT want PPM to reveal this. They're doing everything they can to fight this... and since we're talking mounds and mounds of money, they'll get their way. Arbitron will cave. The LAST thing radio wants (or needs) is ACCURATE ratings.

Your statements may be a bit exaggerated. The PPM's are being accepted by the radio owners - with some perfecting - because the agencies are demanding a more accurate system of audience measurement. Buyers get more accuracy than the outdated diary system when measuring "certain" internet methodology and also with the the new LPM's that TV uses. If radio wants to stay competitive, it must be more accountable....it's what advertisers are demanding from their agencies....and of course agencies are demanding from the media.