Numeris Tells Canadian Radio To Pull The Plug On Voltair Processors

Says No To Voltair Use

Radio's attention about the ongoing saga regarding the VOLTAIR processor now moves north of the border as CANADA's ratings agency NUMERIS has pulled the plug on use of the product.

Last week, NUMERIS issued a directive to Canadian broadcasters to shut down their VOLTAIR processors for 60 days. That memo arrived on THURSDAY, JUNE 12th. The agency said it wanted to study VOLTAIR’s impact on ratings. In doing so, the agency told Canadian broadcasters, "NUMERIS is currently undertaking a full analysis of encoding methodologies that have become available since the introduction of PPM. In the interim, the NUMERIS board has reaffirmed the importance of a level playing field and has requested that all stations using VOLTAIR suspend use pending the outcome of the encoding review."

But NUMERIS then sent another memo to subscribers on FRIDAY, with a more long-term decision, writing, "in NUMERIS’s opinion the result of VOLTAIR’s use is an increase in code density that may differentially impact data.”

With that decision, NUMERIS has instructed all Canadian broadcasters to immediately remove the VOLTAIR processor in a memo claiming that, "CANADA’s Level Measurement Playing Field Must be Maintained."

Yesterday, HARKER RESEARCH Founder RICHARD HARKER condemned NUMERIS' decision, citing the ratings agency's ignorance of the facts (NET NEWS, 6/15).

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