(Weekend Edition)
A couple of things have been established about Portable People Meters since Arbitron re-tooled their methodology and re-positioned it in the market place. One - there seems to be continued unhappiness among urban radio stations about the methodology and its effect on their format and Two - CHR stations believe that using music sweeps is helping them in PPM markets...
Barry Mayo, Radio One President tells Radio Ink that he believes there's a direct correlation between PPM usage and his affiliates. "Absolutely, there is a direct connection between the impact of PPM on our ratings in our Midwest markets and our revenue declines in those markets." The markets Mayo refers to are Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Indianapolis. According to Radio One, Indianapolis halved their numbers. Company CEO Alfred Liggins takes up the argument: "We found that with urban stations you take a hit with rank, share and average quarter hour. And this takes about a year to cycle through." While both Mayo and Liggins complain about Indianapolis, both Cincinnati and Cleveland have been in play for over a year and both markets were just accredited by the MRC, which hasn't been easy on Arbitron's PPM. Indianapolis appears to be alone in being hit so drastically. This argument will continue but for now there doesn't seem to be any basis for inequity in PPM methodology at urban radio, despite Mayo and Liggins protests. On the subject of CHR music sweeps influencing stations in PPM markets, the Atlanta Airwave Action blog has seen it work with CHR Q100 (WWWQ-FM) and Star 94 (WSTR-FM) in Atlanta. According to AAC, CHR Q100 & Star 94 have both made gains since they started using music sweeps...
Arbitron's PPM is defined in Wikipedia as "An electronic measurement system that delivers empirical, verifiable audience measurement data." Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and in this case Radio One doesn't buy that definition and CHR stations call that a perfect definition. As long as measurement services have existed there has been this truism - the stations that do well love it and those that don't, question it - no matter what methodology is used...
Timeline Memories:
Timeline Memories:
1602] If you're fond of sand dunes: Bartholomew Gosnold, an English explorer known as "The Columbus Of New England" discovers Cape Cod (a summer paradise) (5/15)...
1929] A numbers game: When the Indians beat the Yankees 4-3 in Cleveland, it marks the first game to feature numbers on the backs of players (5/13). Uniforms 101 is seen here...
1940] Churchillian: Winston Churchill tells the British House of Commons: "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat" in his first speech as prime minister, leading to this question: why wasn't the group called Blood, Toil, Tears & Sweat? (5/13)...
1941] The Streaker: Joe DiMaggio goes 1-for-4 and starts his 56-consecutive game hitting streak (5/15)...
1948] The State of Independence: Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion proclaims the independent state of Israel as British rule in Palestine comes to an end (5/14)...
1964] Recorded on this date: "Little Old Lady From Pasadena" - Jan & Dean (5/14)...1966] "Sunny Afternoon" - Kinks (5/13)...1968] "People Got To Be Free" - The Rascals (5/14)...1970] "No Matter What You Are" - Badfinger (5/13)...
1970] Released on this date: "Ohio" - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (5/14)...
1981] The Pope takes a bullet: Pope John II is shot and seriously wounded in St. Peter's Square by Turkish assailant Mehmet Ali Agca (5/13)...
1998] Death of an icon: The legendary Frank Sinatra passes away, his way, at 82 following a heart attack (5/14)...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": (5/13) Stephan Colbert (47), Sean McDonough (49), Bobby Valentine (61), Stevie Wonder (61) & Harvey Keitel (72)...(5/14) Amber Tamblyn (28), Cate Blanchett (42), David Byrne (59), George Lucas (67), Jack Bruce (68) & Patrice Munsel (86)...(5/15) Jamie-Lynn Sigler (30), Josh Beckett (31), Chazz Palminteri (59), Lainie Kazan (71), Trini Lopez (74), Madeleine Albright (74) & Anna Maria Alberghetti (75)...
Timeline Countdown: 17 days until Memorial Day, 37 days until Fathers Day, 40 days until summer & 52 days until July 4th...
