SBS Responds to Arbitron’s PPM implementation.

As a leading broadcaster of Spanish language content in the top Hispanic markets, including New York, Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. (SBS) is extremely disappointed in Arbitron’s decision to accelerate the implementation of its flawed Portable People Meter (PPM) despite not having resolved the large number of critical errors in their methodology. For months, these flaws have been brought to Arbitron’s attention from a range of constituencies including the broadcasting and advertising communities, the New York Attorney General’s office, members of Congress, and local community leaders.

It’s widely known that Arbitron’s PPM has been criticized for having severe problems that inaccurately measure radio listening among minority groups, and for failing to receive accreditation from the Media Ratings Council (MRC). Ethnic and Urban radio stations are critical sources of news and information in minority communities and help provide an alternative to the mainstream media. Arbitron’s imprudent PPM implementation will severely and irreparably harm media diversity, and ultimately limit the variety of voices and viewpoints on our radio airwaves.

Arbitron’s decision to push the PPM into implementation without the support of broadcasters and government officials or MRC accreditation demonstrates the company’s blatant disregard for the radio industry, its “customers,” and minority communities.

We applaud the New York Attorney General’s office, leaders in Congress and local community leaders for their conscious efforts and commendable actions to protect the interest of minority groups in our country. SBS will continue to seek a solution on these issues until all of the identified PPM problems have been resolved.