Radio

Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that his office has filed a lawsuit in New York County Supreme Court against Arbitron, the largest media ratings company for the radio market in the United States. The lawsuit accuses Arbitron of deceptively claiming that its Portable People Meter (PPM) system is valid, fair, and representative of diverse radio markets. It also charges Arbitron with failing to disclose important flaws in the PPM methodology to broadcasters, advertisers, shareholders and the public, including serious shortcomings in the accuracy of the new system and its inadequate representation of African-Americans and Latinos.

Arbitron Inc. released the following statement in response to the resolution passed today by the New York City Council.

“The New York City Council’s decision to call on the Federal Communications Commission to investigate Arbitron’s Portable People Meter (PPM) system should serve as a wakeup call for local governments and minority communities around the nation. Arbitron’s flawed PPM ratings methodology will severely harm media diversity and ultimately limit the variety of voices and viewpoints on our country’s radio airwaves. It is a real threat, not only to minority communities but could also have a devastating impact on local economies and needs to be taken seriously. The PPM ratings methodology should not be rolled out until all concerns are effectively addressed.

Yesterday, Arbitron stood in front of the NY City Council and made both inaccurate and contradictory statements.

AHAA would like to reiterate that there is NO issue with the PPM INSTRUMENT. The problem is the METHODOLOGY: the accurate representation of the Hispanic radio listening audience.

The Spanish Radio Association was invited yesterday to attend the New York City Council meeting to testify about the adverse effect of the Portable People Meter (“PPM”) methodology on the broadcasting community and the constituents that it serves.

It was announced that Jesus M. Soto, will receive the Spanish Broadcasters Association’s Profiles in Leadership Award for 2008 in a ceremony and reception to be held in Austin, Texas on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 during the National Association of Broadcaster’s Radio Show.

On August 13, 2008 four of the country’s top 10 Hispanic markets, including the number one market, officially received their first pre-currency PPM report. By John Snyder – Vice President, PPM Sales

Univision Radio announced that beauty and fashion expert Martín Llorens has joined RadioCadena, Univision’s national AM radio network, to host “Hola Martín,” a fun and upbeat new program featuring sought-after celebrity guests, renowned experts and engaging musical surprises. Kmart has signed on as the premiere sponsor of “Hola Martín,” which airs Monday through Friday across RadioCadena.

Just a few weeks ago I wrote about what was about to happen to our business as a result of Arbitron’s new method of ratings measurement called PPM (Portable People Meter). I said that if Arbitron continued with its plans to roll out this new measurement without making the necessary changes that the Hispanic and Urban broadcasters are demanding that the consequences would be dire. What has happened since then?

According to Radio and Records, the merged XM-Sirius must file necessary applications with the FCC to provide satellite radio service to Puerto Rico using terrestrial repeaters within three months of the merger’s consummation, notes the FCC in papers detailing the merger released late Monday afternoon (July 28). While both Sirius and XM have separately programmed, operated and regulated companies doing their work in Canada, the satellite signals beamed from Sirius’ Manhattan studios and XM’s massive Washington, D.C., complex have not been sold outside the continental United States.