Arbitron Sees A Glass Half-Filled About Inquiry…

Tuesday, May, 19, 2009 by Mel Phillips.

Arbitron calls the FCC’s notice of inquiry an “opportunity to better educate all parties about our Portable People Meter service and its advantages over the diary-based system.”  In an interview with The Washington Post, Arbitron noted that the review differs from a formal investigation that its opponents, including Univision, the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (aka NABOB) and the Spanish Radio Association, had pushed for.  A public inquiry is just that.  The FCC is seeking comment and “empirical evidence” on the PPM and its effect on minority and urban-formatted stations in PPM markets.  “Commenters should describe any changes or projected changes in program service to their local communities as a result of lowered advertising sales revenue based on a decline in audience ratings as measured by PPMs.  We (also) invite comment as to whether PPM methodology produces ratings that are more accurate than diary ratings.” …

To be clear, this is not the far-sweeping investigation that media activists wanted since this whole issue about PPMs first surfaced.  The initial complaints to the FCC were made by Jim Winston, a veteran D.C. communications lawyer and executive director of NABOB.  Winston’s complaints led to this FCC inquiry.  It may not be what PPM critics wanted but this inquiry has teeth, just listen to what FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein had to say about it: “If the Commission does not conclude that PPM is in fact reliable and accurate, or if there are still many unanswered questions, the Commission may have to reconsider whether its reliance on Arbitron’s market definitions and audience ratings calls into question the reliability and integrity of the Commission’s own analysis that uses Arbitron information.”  Translation: Arbitron could be in deep doo-doo…

FCC interim Chair Michael Copps says “We do not regulate Arbitron” but “anything that affects media diversity and minority ownership affects our ability to do our job.”  The FCC inquiry will last for 60 days following its publication in the Federal Register… 

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1536] Heads, you lose: Anne Boleyn, second wife of England’s King Henry VIII is beheaded after being convicted of adultery. Peter Noone left that part out of his hit…
2. 1921] The more things change: Congress passes the Emergency Quota Act which establishes national quotas for immigrants…
3. 1960] This King is dethroned: Alan Freed is arrested with 7 others on suspicion of commercial bribery. Freed refused to sign an affidavit in 1959 denying he had accepted payola. Although payola was not yet a crime, Freed is charged with 26 counts of commercial bribery but escapes with just a fine. His career, however, is ruined…
4. 1962] Happy Birthday Mr. President: Marilyn Monroe performs a sultry rendition of “Happy Birthday” for President John F. Kennedy with Jackie by his side during a fund raiser at Madison Square Garden…
5. 1969] Debuted on this date: Six-year old Jodie Foster makes her show business debut on “Mayberry R.F.D.”  Here’s Jodie on “Inside The Actor’s Studio”…1999] “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace“ premieres and sets a new record for opening day sales at 28.5 million…2005] “Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith” almost doubles the original movie with 50 million on opening day…
6. 1973] Big Red: The great Secretariat, winner of the Kentucky Derby, wins the Preakness by 2 1/2 lengths. In three weeks, perhaps the greatest thoroughbred of all-time will run away with the Belmont Stakes…
7. 1992] Veep Speak: Vice President Dan Quayle criticizes “Murphy Brown” because the title character has a baby out of wedlock…
8. 1992] Taking a bullet for Joey: Mary Joe Buttafuoco is shot in the face and seriously wounded by her husband Joey’s teenager lover, Amy Fisher…
9. 1994] ‘Happy Trails’: Former first-lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis passes away from cancer at 64…2006] Freddie Garrity, lead singer of Freddie and The Dreamers, dies from pulmonary hypertension at 69…
10. 1994] Curtains: We say goodbye to “L.A. Law” which ends it’s 8-year run…

Music Memories:

• 1958] Released on this date: “Splish Splash” - Bobby Darin. Released as the first 8-track master recording pressed on a plastic 45 rpm disc…1960] “Save The Last Dance For Me” - Drifters…1973] “Kodachrome” - Paul Simon…
• 1965] Number One on this date: “Ticket To Ride“ - Beatles. The first single to feature Paul McCartney on lead guitar…

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday”: Kevin Garnett (33), Archie Manning (60), Grace Jones (61), Pete Townshend (64),Nora Ephron (68), Nancy Kwan (70), David Hartman (74) Jim Lehrer (75) and Dolph Schayes (81)…

Timeline Countdown: 6 days until Memorial Day, 33 days until Father’s Day, 33 days until summer and 46 days until July 4th…

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