Arbitron confirms ‘currency’ status of new PPM radio audience estimates.

Arbitron Inc. confirmed the use of Portable People Meter radio audience estimates as the basis for buy/sell transactions of radio commercial time among subscribing stations, agencies and advertisers.

The Company also stated that the September 2008 PPMTM survey month (August 21-September 17) ratings released to its subscribers in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Nassau-Suffolk, Middlesex-Somerset-Union, Riverside-San Bernardino and San Jose are the actionable and timely estimates that the radio advertising industry needs in order to conduct its business.

“Radio broadcasters, agencies and advertisers independently determine whether or not to subscribe to Arbitron’s services and can freely decide how they wish to use our services in their business transactions,” said Steve Morris, president, chairman and chief executive officer, Arbitron Inc. “Our goal with the commercialization of the PPM is to help radio remain competitive in an increasingly challenging media marketplace.”

In addition, the Company reiterated that the July and August PPM survey months, which Arbitron had previously released as “pre-currency” information, should also be used as “currency” data. In the New York markets, the currency data now consists of 13 PPM survey reports (October 2007 to September 2008). The Spring 2008 diary-based radio audience report (April 3-June 25) is no longer deemed “currency” for buy/sell transactions.