A Bad Day Gets Worse For Arbitron…

Wednesday, November, 19, 2008 by Mel Phillips.

It started with the announcement that Nielsen will be challenging them for radio ratings supremacy and then it got worse.  The day ended for Arbitron with FCC commissioner Jonathan Adelstein’s letter to agency Chairman Kevin Martin requesting a formal investigation of the company’s PPM methodology.  Adelstein wants the formal investigation because in his words “we have heard from numerous broadcasters and advocates for diversity that the continued deployment of Arbitron’s new system (PPM) in new markets without accreditation from Media Ratings Council constitutes a clear and present danger to media diversity.” …

In responding to Adelstein’s letter, Arbitron is sticking to their guns, “Arbitron does not believe that the FCC has jurisdiction over the company or its operations and assets and consequently lacks the authority to commence a section 403 investigation.”  Sounds to me like a court might decide this.  Did someone say ‘Supreme Court’?  The Supes might have to get their hands dirty and decide this case, something they won’t want to do…

Earlier in the day Arbitron responded to Nielsen’s announcement with this statement from President/CEO Steve Morris:  “Once-a-year measurement is a step backward.  Advertisers have told us that radio markets need more than a once-a-year survey in order for stations to maintain accountability and recapture revenue from out-of-home, Internet, and online media.”  Smaller markets are only measured once-a-year…

Arbitron must be ready for anything now after a day like yesterday.  If the best offense is a good defense, then Arbitron should survive.  At least they didn’t hear from Andrew Cuomo.  They should consider it a good day for that reason alone…

10 Timeline Memories: 

1. 1863] Four Score, for sure: President Abraham Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address as he dedicates a national cemetery at the Civil War battlefield in Pennsylvania…
2. 1954] What a wreck: Sammy Davis, Jr. losses an eye in a serious auto crash in San Bernardino (CA).  Edward R. Murrow interviews Sammy…
3. 1954] Two tolls, no waiting: Two automatic toll machines are installed on the Garden State Parkway. Now there’s just one big toll when you get off the Parkway…
4. 1959] Rama Lama Ding Dong: The Ford Motor Company halts production of the Edsel…
5. 1966] Hanging them up: Future Hall of Fame pitcher, Sandy Koufax announces his retirement from baseball, one month shy of his 32nd birthday, due to arm problems. Koufax simply dominated his era…
6. 1969] Fly me to the Moon: Apollo XII astronauts Charles Conrad and Alan Bean make man’s second lunar landing…
7. 1985] A Geneva treat: Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev meet for the first time as they begin their summit in Geneva…
8. 1998] A Starr is born: Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr lays out his evidence against President Bill Clinton during a daylong appearance before the House Judiciary Committee…
9. 2001] MVP…MVP…MVP…MVP: Barry Bonds wins his 4th MVP award (he’ll win 3 more). Wasn’t this the year they said Bonds started using the ‘clear cream’???
10. 2004] Fight Night: In one of sports ugliest scenes, a fight breaks out on the floor, Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson of the Pacers charge into the stands and fight with fans during an NBA game in Detroit. Officials end the Pacers’ 97-82 win with 45.9 ticks left. Fines and suspensions follow. Fan John Green who tossed his drink at Artest, was banned for life in Detroit and hefty fines are levied at Artest, Jackson and others…

Music Memories:

• 1959] Number One on this date: “Mr. Blue” - Fleetwoods…1969] “Wedding Bell Blues” - Fifth Dimension…

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday”:

Savion Glover (35), Jodie Foster (46), Meg Ryan (47), Ann Curry (52), Calvin Klein (66), Garrick Utley (69), Ted Turner (70), Dick Cavett (72), Larry King (75) and Alan Young (89)…

Timeline Countdown: 8 days until Thanksgiving, 32 days until winter, 33 days until Hanukah and 36 shopping days until Christmas…

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