Cumulus stations in 44 markets are new subscribers to Arbitron diary-based radio ratings;
Cumulus renews Portable People Meter ratings agreements in all 17 of its PPM markets;
Contract includes cross-platform collaboration to quantify Cumulus total radio audience.
Arbitron Inc. (NYSE: ARB) and Cumulus Media Inc. (NASDAQ: CMLS) have signed a multi-year agreement for Arbitron diary and Portable People Meter™ (PPM �) radio ratings services covering all 450 Cumulus stations in the 100 Cumulus radio markets currently surveyed by Arbitron.
The agreement provides Cumulus stations in 44 diary markets access to the Arbitron radio ratings service for the first time in more than three years. It also renews ratings agreements in 17 PPM markets and 39 diary markets.
In addition to diary and PPM local market ratings, the agreement also provides Cumulus with access to Arbitron software applications, Scarborough consumer profile services, and national and network radio ratings for Cumulus Media Networks.
Cumulus has also agreed to collaborate with Arbitron on cross-platform services that would quantify the total impact of the Cumulus radio brand.
“We are pleased to have Cumulus once again as a subscriber to Arbitron’s radio ratings services in each of its Arbitron-measured markets,” said Sean Creamer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Arbitron Inc. “Cumulus is using multiple platforms to reach listeners and engage consumers and Arbitron has a robust suite of technologies and methodologies that we can leverage to help Cumulus demonstrate the power of its radio brand.”
“With this agreement, Arbitron and Cumulus are demonstrating a long-term commitment to collaborate for the benefit of the radio industry,” said Lew Dickey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cumulus. “We will work closely with Arbitron on its ongoing quality and service enhancement initiatives. Specifically, we look forward to participating in the development of an integrated, total radio audience service that gives broadcasters full credit for our audiences regardless of how listeners access our content.”