Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Arbitron Promises More Stability In PPM Radio Ratings...

There are just too many bounces in PPM (Portable People Meter) radio numbers. For years radio has depended on consistency when being measured but it's not always getting it now with far too many spikes from rating period to rating period. Arbitron is determined to eliminate those bounces with new company rules. Under existing rules, almost 20% of a market's PPM panel could turn over during a three-month period, causing wide rating swings from month-to-month but that's about to change, according to Arbitron. Starting with the November survey, Arbitron will use new sample expiration rules intended to smooth out the turnover...

Arbitron's new rules are expected to be applied in all PPM markets by March, 2011. All initially selected samples will expire between 18 and 30 months under the new rules as opposed to expiring between 18 months and 36 months under the current plan with the maximum panel tenure after the initial build period set at 24 months. "Once we've spread out that turnover from the initially selected sample, ongoing sample will expire between 18 and 24 months, so we'll continue to smooth out the turnover" Arbitron's Beth Webb says. "You won't get a three-month period where there's a huge turnover in the panel. this will help the stability of the estimates in that period." ...

Arbitron's old rules "were creating a spike in turnover right around 24 months after a panel was filled. As we improved compliance, people were staying in the panel longer." Webb adds that many were remaining for the full 24 months after the sample build, resulting in a large number being replaced simultaneously, creating a lot of turnover in the panel all at once, which creates increased variance in the estimates." That should all end now under the new Arbitron rules...

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1775] Fleet's in: The Continental Congress orders the construction of a naval fleet for the U.S...
2.1843] The birth of the B'rith: The B'nai B'rith is founded in New York City...
3.1903] First World Series: The Boston Americans (Red Sox) beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 to win the first WS five games to three...
4.1960] Debatable: Richard M. Nixon and JFK hold their 3rd televised presidential debate with Nixon in Hollywood and Kennedy in New York...
5.1960] The Walk-Off is born: The Pirates' Bill Mazeroski hits the 1st walk-off home run in World Series history as Pittsburgh wins the series over the Yankees...
6.1970] "Happy Trails": Janis Joplin's ashes are scattered off the coast of California...1974] Ed Sullivan dies from cancer at 73...
7.1985] Wrap & Roll: Cardinal rookie Vince Coleman is injured prior to the NLCS when he's caught in Busch Stadium's automatic tarp. The Cardinals would go on to win the NL pennant but lose to KC in the World Series...
8.1996] Here's the kicker: Jet kicker Nick Lowery breaks Jan Stenerud's NFL field goal record with his 374 field goal...
9.1998] Locked out: The NBA cancels 32 games as a result of a lockout of players...
10.1999] Not so grand: The JonBenet Ramsey grand jury is dismissed after 13 months when there's not enough evidence to charge anyone in the 6-year old's strangulation death...

Music Memories:

Commentary:
Join host Marla Sitten and award-winning songwriters Dave Gibson, Wynn Varble and Chris Wallin for a fall songwriting seminar at Jim Oliver's Smoke House in beautiful Monteagle, Tennessee, November 5 - 7, 2010. Visit TheSmokeHouse.com for additional information...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": Paul Pierce (33), Sacha Baron Cohen (39), Billy Bush (39), Nancy Kerrigan (41), Kate Walsh (43), Jerry Rice (48), Doc Rivers (49), Marie Osmond (51), Sammy Hagar (63), Robert Lamm (66), Mike Barnicle (67), Paul Simon (69) and Margaret Thatcher (85)...

Timeline Countdown: 15 days until the World Series opener, 19 nights until Halloween, 25 days until Standard Time and 43 days until Thanksgiving...

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