Arbitron Appoints RAC Seats; Internet And Satellite Diary Language Postponed

The ARBITRON RADIO ADVISORY COUNCIL two-day meetings in DALLAS concluded today (11/3) with CLEAR CHANNEL/YOUNGSTOWN, OH VP/Market Mgr. BILL KELLY being elected new Chairman, effective JANUARY 1, 2006. He replaces NICK ANTHONY, who becomes Past Chairman. The new Vice Chairman will be COX/GREENVILLE, SC Market Mgr. STEVE SINICROPI.

INFINITY/BOSTON's GREG STRASSELL was appointed Radio Group Programmer and CLEAR CHANNEL's JESS HANSON was elected for the newly appointed Group Research position. The historical council reorganziation includes the five largest radio station groups elected seats on the Council.

Here is who will represent each radio group:

CLEAR CHANNEL - LEE LARSON
INFINITY - LISA DECKER
ABC - MITCH DOLAN
COX - MARC MORGAN
ENTERCOM - STEVE GODOFSKY

Elected to serve three-year terms on the Council were DICK BROADCASTING's BRUCE WHEELER representing Markets 1-50 and RADIO ONE's DOUG ABERNATHY for Black/Urban - Top 100. The Smaller Market Condensed category ended in a tie, so there be a runoff to determine the winner.

ARBITRON has decided not to change the diary language for Satellite and Internet radio listening. Both COLRAM and ADVISORY COUNCIL had questions about the wording, so they will begin live market testing in 25 markets in FEBRUARY '06. ARBITRON originally intended to modify its diary instructions starting with the WINTER '06 survey. The revised diary instructions being tested is intended to clarify whether listening is over-the-air radio, Internet, or Satellite radio. 

Meanwhile, ARBITRON has made significant progress with the PORTABLE PEOPLE METER (PPM) twin panels studies in HOUSTON. ARBITRON ADVISORY COUNCIL Chairman NICK ANTHONY told ALL ACCESS said, "It looks really good. They still need to do a replication study and there a number of questions the RAB/PPM Subcommittee has that are still unanswered." 

Also announced today:
Small Market two-book rolling averages, effective FALL '05
Total line report of simulcast stations, effective WINTER '06
Spanish Language Personal Race/Ethnicity, effective WINTER '06
E-book replaces printed book in WINTER '06 or SPRING '06

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