Music

How Radio Ratings Systems Are Impacting Choices Listeners Have

First, a quick explanation for non-radio types.  In major markets across Canada and the US, radio ratings are gathered using a device called a Portable People Meter (PPM).  People are recruited to carry around a pager-sized device that “listens” for radio stations in the vicinity.  At the end of the day, the PPM is put in a cradle and it phones home the data for the day.

PPMs replaced the old diary method which was incredibly flawed and often notoriously inaccurate. However, PPMs are having an interesting impact on the radio landscape.  Instead of expanding the listening choices of listeners–one of the selling points of the technology–the devices seem to be shrinking what people hear on the radio.  At least this is what they’re finding in the US.

From RadioInfo:

More so than anything else, it appears that the emergence of Arbitron’s Portable People Meter (PPM) prompted the flood of format flips. “PPM has drastically impacted the availability of radio options for radio listeners,” opines Radiate Media affiliate relations general manager Dave Van Dyke. “It has adjusted the way programmers view radio and the way owners view what kind of formats are available. Ultimately, the listener is the loser.”

I’d recommend that everyone in the business read the entire story here.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38040 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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