Changes in Accreditation Status for Arbitron’s RADAR Services
COLUMBIA, MD; December 6, 2010 – Arbitron Inc. (NYSE: ARB) has announced significant changes regarding the accreditation status of its RADAR (Radio’s All Dimension Audience Research) and Nationwide network services. The Media Rating Council, Inc. (MRC) has officially withdrawn its accreditation for these services, a decision that will take effect with the upcoming RADAR 107 release on December 13, 2010, and the Fall 2010 Nationwide report, set to be published in early March 2011.
Reasons for Withdrawal of Accreditation
The MRC’s decision stems from the integration of data from an increasing number of Portable People Meter (PPM) markets that lack MRC accreditation. Currently, of the 43 markets where the PPM service is operational, only three—Houston-Galveston, Riverside-San Bernardino, and Minneapolis-St. Paul—have received MRC accreditation. This situation has raised concerns about the reliability and validity of the data being reported.
Impact on RADAR 107 Estimates
Due to the timing of the accreditation withdrawal, the RADAR 107 estimates will still display accreditation status in software and related materials, despite the MRC’s revocation. Arbitron has committed to directly informing all subscribers of the RADAR 107 data about this change in accreditation status, ensuring transparency in their communications.
Arbitron’s Commitment to Accreditation
In response to this situation, Arbitron is dedicated to pursuing MRC accreditation for its PPM ratings service across all commercialized markets. The company aims to regain MRC accreditation for both the RADAR and Nationwide services while maintaining the accreditation of its currently recognized PPM, diary, and software services. Arbitron continues to adhere to the MRC Voluntary Code of Conduct, demonstrating its commitment to industry standards and practices.
