PPM's and older rating methods it replaced

[alok]

I have heard people mention here that programming is altered for the PPM ,say in a 1/4 hour. In otherwords you do something to the programming to "boost the ratings" for the PPM for a short instance.

Isn't this illegal in the ratings world ?

I know in the past with older rating methods stations did things to "play" with the ratings and if the ratings service learned about it the station was punished.

Isn't the PPM much easier to "play with" to boost ratings for a short time ? How can the ratings people know this is occuring,not that they think it might be happening but know it is happening and can stop it or punish a station ?

Al

 

[hammerpants]

You always program to take advantage of the ratings methodology, be it the diary system or PPM. The only Arbitron rule towards rating manipulation is on air reference or plea to any diary or meter holder. Adjusting your programming to the methodology is the whole art of radio.

 

[JEREMIAH]

For the diary we'd always sweep the quarter hour, making sure a song was playing so we'd get credit for the quarter hour, hopefully. The diary method being questionsble, I always had my doubts since people usually filled out the diarys later, relying on memory, or just automatically writing down their favorite station.

As far as punishment is concerned for ratings mention, when I was at WKIS in Orlando I said "if anyone asks tell them that you're listening to Jerry Gordon on 740 WKIS". WELLLLL don't you know they flagged me in the next book quoting exactly what I said. Gee, they made me famous. Our competition reported me. We did win the ratings battle.

Years later I heard some TV stations say ....."It's channel 10, for your diary" So maybe it wasn't an issue any longer.
Now of course i'ts all electronic measuring.

Jerry Gordon

 

[LKellerIII]

I've always wondered if there was some hidden purpose in that KOIT sweeper; "96.5 KOIT - Arbitron rated number one for listening at work."

They've been running that for years. Though on the surface, it's just a brag, perhaps it was meant to encourage listeners who were filling out the diary to make sure they filled in KOIT. No doubt it's useless for PPM.

 

[DavidKaye]

As far as punishment is concerned for ratings mention, when I was at WKIS in Orlando I said "if anyone asks tell them that you're listening to Jerry Gordon on 740 WKIS". WELLLLL don't you know they flagged me in the next book quoting exactly what I said.

KABL Oakland (now KNEW 960) once had a sweeps promo that said, "You're listening to KABL, K-A-B-L, should anyone ask..."

I don't recall that Arbitron got them for that.

 

[Jay Walker]

As far as punishment is concerned for ratings mention, when I was at WKIS in Orlando I said "if anyone asks tell them that you're listening to Jerry Gordon on 740 WKIS". WELLLLL don't you know they flagged me in the next book quoting exactly what I said.

KABL Oakland (now KNEW 960) once had a sweeps promo that said, "You're listening to KABL, K-A-B-L, should anyone ask..."

I don't recall that Arbitron got them for that.

I recall we were popped in Dallas at KEGL in the late 80's or early 90's for the phrase "Write it down...97.1 KEGL The Eagle" The phrase was read slowly and deliberately with the sfx of a pencil writing on paper in the background... I voiced that sweeper.
I think it got us listed below the bar that rating period...

I also remember in the mid 70's when WAYS Charlotte, "Big WAYS" was running the sweeper "If you received a ratings service diary be sure to write down BIG WAYS". That got them De-listed for the book.

 

[davideduardo]

As far as punishment is concerned for ratings mention, when I was at WKIS in Orlando I said "if anyone asks tell them that you're listening to Jerry Gordon on 740 WKIS". WELLLLL don't you know they flagged me in the next book quoting exactly what I said.

KABL Oakland (now KNEW 960) once had a sweeps promo that said, "You're listening to KABL, K-A-B-L, should anyone ask..."

I don't recall that Arbitron got them for that.

Arbitron does not monitor stations. They depend on stations "turning in" competitors that engage in "ratings bias and distortion" and will act on any documented cases.

 

[davideduardo]

I've always wondered if there was some hidden purpose in that KOIT sweeper; "96.5 KOIT - Arbitron rated number one for listening at work."

They've been running that for years. Though on the surface, it's just a brag, perhaps it was meant to encourage listeners who were filling out the diary to make sure they filled in KOIT. No doubt it's useless for PPM.

Generally, that type of promo is intended to show that listening to a station is the right choice for at work listening. Since most people are concerned about things they do in the presence of others that might affect their image, telling them that listening to one particular station is proven to be the right thing makes them more likely to turn on that station.

 

[JEREMIAH]

David E: Yes, as I said my post, our competition, WDBO reported me. It didn't hurt us though, We did well.
DBO tried several times to get me out of town, KING in Seattle called me, offering me a job as morning man, saying they called DBO and asked them who they would like to get out of the market, they mentioned me and sent KING my aircheck.
I had just moved into a new house and was not ready to leave town, although KING's offer was tempting.
DBO eventually offered me a job there but I had signed a non compete agreement. Ironically when WKIS had me sign the non compete, they said it's because we know DBO would be coming after you. I love those old radio wars.

I went to Tampa and then KSFO SF. I was at KIS for 6 years, became the national voice of Disney World & D-Land, a relationship that lasted 10 years, continuing even from SF.

Jerry Gordon