PPM Encoding Handbook

PPMTM

EncodingHandbookfor Radio

PPM Methodology in a Nutshell ........................................................ 2

PPM Reporting ................................................................................. 4

The Encoding Process ....................................................................... 5

Best Engineering Practices ................................................................. 7

Simulcasting and Podcasting ............................................................. 9

Station Information ......................................................................... 10

PPM Rating Distortion and Rating Bias ............................................. 11

Additional Information .................................................................... 12

Arbitron Contact Information ............................................................ 13

PPM Encoding Handbook

© 2008 Arbitron Inc.

1

The radio industry today is evolving rapidly. Radio broadcasters now

have an increasing array of options for carrying their programming,

and sophisticated tools and techniques for attracting audiences. In this

fast-paced environment, broadcasters and advertisers need increasingly

sophisticated information on the size, composition, and behavior of

radio audiences.

The Arbitron Portable People MeterTM (PPMTM) is a response to this

challenge, with technology that frees respondents from the burden of

keeping track of their listening and methodology that allows Arbitron

to provide data more quickly, more frequently, and with increased

granularity and confidence.

Introduction

PPM Hardware. From left: station encoder, meter, docking station/recharger and household collector.

PPM ratings are based on audience estimates and are the opinion of Arbitron and should not be relied on for precise accuracy or precise representativeness of a demographic or radio market.



2

PPM Methodology in a Nutshell

PPM Methodology in a NutshellThe Arbitron Portable People Meter (PPM) system replaces the Arbitron

personal Diary with a small, portable, personal electronic meter that auto-

matically records exposures to encoded stations. Participating broadcasters

encode their stations by installing Arbitron encoding equipment, which

embeds a unique inaudible code into their audio signals. Whenever a PPM

detects this signal—which is acoustically masked from listeners, but receiv-

able by the Meter—the Meter records the code, along with the date and

time of the exposure. A station receives credit for a quarter-hour of listen-

ing if the Meter records five or more minutes of exposure to the station’s

encoded signal within that quarter-hour. (The five minutes need not be

contiguous.)

Members of the public are selected as respondents in each new PPM

market at random, based on landline and cell-phone-only sample frames.

These respondents, called “panelists,” are asked to wear or carry the Meter

each day from the time they rise until the time they retire at bedtime. Each

individual six years of age or older in a participating household receives his

or her own Meter and individual docking station. The panelists dock their

Meters when they retire. The docking station transmits the data to a collec-

tor located in the panelist’s home, which transmits the recorded exposure

data to Arbitron. While docked, the Meter’s battery is also recharged and

its internal clock is reset. In addition, to help identify at-home listening,

the collector emits a low-power Radio Frequency (RF) signal that can be

detected by a Meter when listening takes place at home.

“Are You with Me?”—Motion Detection and Panel ManagementA key component of PPM methodology is the Meter’s capacity to detect

motion. Panelists are asked to keep the Meter in motion at all times, as a

means for ensuring that the Meter is with the panelist when exposures to

encoded signals occur.

Each Meter contains a small green light that remains steadily illuminated

while the Meter is in motion. Routine body movement, even the slight

motion caused by breathing, is sufficient motion to keep the light illumi-

nated. When the Meter has been out of motion for 20 minutes, the light

flashes, to remind the panelist that he or she has put the Meter down, and

to prompt the panelist to keep the Meter in motion.

The Meter is always “on”—that is, the Meter is always recording expo-

sures to encoded stations. A panelist’s exposures are treated as In-Tab daily

listening, however, only if the panelist has met the

minimum daily motion requirement. Arbitron Panel

Management Specialists maintain close contact with

the household throughout the household’s participa-

tion, encouraging all of the panelists to carry their

Meters with them and to comply with other require-

ments for participation. Panelists receive premiums

and other incentives for their consistent participa-

tion. Arbitron is careful, however, not to influence the

amount of listening in which a panelist engages.Portable People Meter

PPM docking station



3

“All Panelists, All the Time”—Panels and Expanded SampleIn Arbitron’s Diary service, each diarykeeper participates as a respondent

for one week. Members of an Arbitron PPM panel generally participate

for number of months, participating for an interval, on average, of nine

months. Although members of PPM panels are replaced with new panel-

ists for a variety of reasons (including voluntary retirement from the panel

and removal to allow for fresh sample), many panelists participate for an

interval sufficient that participation becomes a part of their daily routines.

This results in a majority of respondents being available for inclusion in the

In-Tab at any time during the report period. This contrasts favorably with

the Diary service, in which roughly one-twelfth of the total In-Tab sample

for the 12-week report period is In-Tab for any individual survey week.

Because PPM panelists generally participate for a number of months, a

smaller number of panelists (relative to the quarterly number of diarykeep-

ers) produces a substantially larger In-Tab sample for any individual survey

week. In a hypothetical market with 12,000 In-Tab diaries, for example, the

average number of weekly In-Tab diaries for a 12-week survey would be

1,000. If the same market instead had 4,000 PPM panelists In-Tab on aver-

age, the average weekly sample would be four times the size of the weekly

sample the market had as a Diary market. The increased weekly sample

size under the PPM methodology allows for the presentation of data with

increased granularity, and allows Arbitron to provide monthly and weekly

data as standard reports.

PPM Methodology in a Nutshell



4

PPM Reporting

PPM ReportingArbitron is currently in the process of converting 49 Arbitron Metros from

Diary measurement to PPM electronic measurement, with all 49 markets

scheduled for conversion by the close of 2010.

PPM panels for Arbitron’s syndicated PPM service are established only in

Metro counties and PPM audience estimates will be released for Metro

counties only. Measured Non-Metro counties will continue to be measured

using Arbitron’s survey Diary.

“Monthly” Reports and “Weeklies”In each PPM market, Arbitron publishes monthly (rather than quarterly)

audience estimates in the PPM Radio Market Report (Arbitron eBookSM)—

reflecting four-week intervals roughly corresponding to calendar months.

Thirteen four-week “Monthly” reports are released each year—including a

“Holiday” report covering late December and early January.

These Monthly reports are also available to all subscribers via the PPM

Analysis ToolSM (a software application providing customized access to

the data) and via TAPSCANTM Web (a flexible Web-based application).

Monthly audience estimates are released approximately three weeks after

the close of the corresponding monthly report period. Arbitron also sepa-

rately releases weekly audience estimates to “PPM Weeklies” subscribers,

approximately three weeks after the close of the applicable survey week.

“Pre-Currency” and “Currency”Arbitron will release two months of demonstration data prior to the release of

its first month of Currency data in each new PPM market. During this two-

month “Pre-Currency” period, audience estimates from the most recently

released quarterly Radio Market Report, based on Diary measurement,

should be used for transactional purposes. During this Pre-Currency inter-

val, no new audience estimates based on Diary measurement will be tabu-

lated or released. Once a Metro converts to PPM electronic measurement,

audience estimates based on Diaries will no longer be available for

that Metro.

Eligibility for ReportingAll successfully encoded radio stations—including HD-Multicast stations,

and Internet streams of AM, FM, and HD Radio® Multicast stations—are

eligible for reporting, regardless of subscriber status (subject to meeting

Minimum Reporting Standards—0.495 Average Weekly Cume Rating,

Persons 6+, Monday-Sunday, 6AM-Mid).

No audience estimates are reported for television stations or media other

than licensed radio stations in Arbitron’s syndicated PPM service (although

estimates for such stations may be available in custom reports). No audi-

ence estimates are reported for unencoded stations of any kind in Arbitron

PPM reports.



5

The Encoding Process

The Encoding ProcessArbitron invites all licensed radio stations home to the DMA® of a PPM

market to encode their signals. Radio stations whose signals reach the

Arbitron Metro should encode their signals well in advance of the start

of Pre-Currency reporting. (Arbitron invites non-Metro DMA stations

to encode to help ensure that Metro listening is reported. Estimates are

reported, however, only at the Metro level.)

Arbitron will provide encoding equipment at no cost for each eligible AM

or FM station that chooses to encode (subject to any mutually agreed upon

limits). Stations are eligible to encode their signals and to receive encoding

equipment, regardless of subscriber status.

Arbitron will also provide encoding equipment for HD-Multicast stations

and Internet streams of over-the-air stations to eligible broadcasters wish-

ing to encode these signals. Arbitron will generally provide encoding

equipment for HD-Multicast stations and Internet streams without a fee to

authorized users of Arbitron’s PPM data and by lease to other stations.

Encoding and Eligibility for ReportingA set of encoding equipment for a station will include, at minimum, an

Encoder, a Backup Encoder, and a Monitor.

To be eligible to be reported in any Arbitron PPM report, a station must do

the following:

Successfully install an Encoder and Backup Encoder for each of the sta-•tion’s transmission paths, and a Monitor to ensure uninterrupted encod-

ing of the station’s signal.

Complete Arbitron’s encoding Quality Assurance process (to confirm that •the station’s signal has been successfully encoded).

“Digital” StationsFor all relevant purposes, Arbitron treats

HD-Multicast stations; and the Internet streams of

AM stations, FM stations, and HD-Multicast stations;

as separate stations (e.g., separate from over-the-air

stations that may share the frequency or facility).

Starting with the July 2008 report period, Arbitron

began reporting such “Digital Radio” stations in the

PPM Radio Market Report and other Arbitron PPM

reporting services (subject to Minimum Reporting

Standards). These stations have been assigned suf-

fixes other than AM or FM, as indicated in the table at

the left. (For information on Total Line Reporting, see

page 9.)

Band ID Station Example

AM Analog AM station WAAA-AM

FM Analog FM station WBBB-FM

HA Digital AM station (HD1) WAAA-HA

HF Digital FM station (CHD1) WBBB-HF

IA Internet stream of an AM station

WAAA-IA

IF Internet stream of an FM station

WBBB-IF

F2, F3…F9 HD-multicast station WBBB-F2, WBBB-F3

G2, G3…G9

The Internet stream of an HD-multicast station

WBBB-G2,WBBB-G3

PPM encoders being tested before they are shipped to radio stations.



6

The Encoding Process

Encoding Stations SeparatelyEach AM station, FM station, HD-Multicast station, and Internet stream

should be encoded separately, unless expressly instructed otherwise by

Arbitron—even if the stations simulcast 100%. Separate encoding is

necessary to:

Enable broadcasters to change a combo’s simulcasting status without •requiring the broadcaster to install and test new encoding equipment.

Ensure the integrity of audience estimates should broadcasters mistak-•enly report their stations as uninterrupted simulcasts.

HD “Primary” (HD1) signals will generally be encoded with the same

encoder as the analog (i.e., “main”) signal, as these signals are required by

the FCC to simulcast 100%.

The Importance of MonitoringThe station will need to monitor encoding at all times. Arbitron’s encod-

ers seldom experience mechanical failure. Most unencoded intervals result

from (scheduled or unscheduled) transmitter maintenance or other changes

to the station’s transmission facilities, during which the station inadvertently

excludes the encoder from the transmission path.

Audience estimates are not adjusted to exclude unencoded intervals.

Should a station’s signal become unencoded for any reason, the station

should switch to the backup encoder immediately and then immediately

notify Arbitron’s Encoding Operations staff.

Encoding Steps1. The station signs and returns an Encoding Agreement. (An Encoding

Agreement is not an agreement to subscribe.)

2. The station’s engineer and Arbitron’s engineer confer, to facilitate the

successful encoding of all transmission paths.

3. Arbitron ships the encoding equipment.

4. The station installs the equipment.

5. The station’s engineer and Arbitron’s engineer together test the

encoding equipment.

6. Arbitron provides the station with confirmation that the station has

completed the encoding process and is eligible for reporting.

7. The station monitors encoding on an ongoing basis.



7

Best Engineering Practices

Best Engineering PracticesThe encoding monitor should be connected to an alarm system paging •the station’s engineer.

Encoding equipment is configured for an individual station (i.e.: an AM •station; an FM station; an HD-Multicast station; or an Internet stream of

an AM station, FM station, or HD-Multicast station). Encoding equipment

should not be exchanged between stations—even if those stations simul-

cast with one another.

Each station needs to avoid double encoding.• Double encoding occurs

when a station’s primary and backup encoders are used simultaneously.

In addition, double encoding can occur when a station encodes any pro-

gramming that has been previously encoded. Double encoding substan-

tially decreases the readability of PPM codes and therefore decreases the

likelihood that the station will receive credit for its listening.

The station should notify Arbitron in advance about any scheduled main-•tenance that may cause a loss of the station’s signal or encoding.

The station should provide Arbitron with emergency contact information. •While each station is responsible for self-monitoring, Arbitron sometimes

becomes aware of encoding issues. For this reason, it is important that

we be able to contact station technical personnel outside of standard

business hours. A considerable interval may elapse, however, before we

are able to observe an encoding irregularity at a particular station. Such

contact therefore will not serve as a substitute for Self-Monitoring by an

encoded station.

The encoder accommodates a variety of outputs to assist station person-•nel in monitoring the station’s encoding. These include: a monitor light

(which displays a steady green light during encoding, but flashes red

when encoding is interrupted); an output for an alarm system; and an

output that provides a computer “heartbeat” continually documenting

that the signal is encoded.

Some engineers plug the primary and backup encoders into power •strips that can be remotely shut on and off. This helps ensure the engi-

neer’s ability to switch remotely from the primary encoder to the backup

encoder, in the event that a remote switching becomes necessary.

The station’s engineer should be mindful that encoders require ade-•quate ventilation. Arbitron recommends allowing a space for ventilation

between any two encoders.

Should an Arbitron Encoder fail, the encoder will still pass audio. •

Although each Arbitron Encoder comes equipped with an internal clock, •Arbitron recommends that each encoder be connected to a master clock,

where possible.



8

Time-domain compression technology is sometimes used to allow the •insertion of additional commercial time in a given piece of programming.

Use of this technology should precede the Arbitron encoder to ensure

consistently receivable encoding. (Use of time-domain compression tech-

nologies after the Arbitron encoder may negatively impact encoding.)

Arbitron engineers will work with the station engineer to ensure that the •appropriate type of encoding equipment is installed. Encoders are avail-

able for analog and AES Digital signals, and for both mono and stereo

signals.

Arbitron’s Encoding Operations Department is available 24 hours a day •for questions and information related to ensuring uninterrupted encoding.

Internet Streaming Technical GuidelinesFor the purpose of PPM encoding, Arbitron recommends streaming audio

at the following minimums:

44.1 kHz sample rate; • and

32 kbps rate. •

In Arbitron’s opinion, these settings are the recommended minimums, as

they mitigate, to the greatest extent possible, risks from both the streamer

and the listener that may detract from the efficiency of the stream’s PPM

encoding. Adherence to the above minimum technical standards is par-

ticularly important for Internet stations that use Microsoft® Web-streaming

products. Arbitron will continue to update our guidelines for minimum set-

tings as Internet technology develops.

Best Engineering Practices



9

Simulcasting and Podcasting

Simulcasting and PodcastingTotal Line ReportingStations that simulcast their programming 100%, including commercials,

may request Total Line Reporting, provided the stations broadcast in the

same market or adjacent markets.

Listening for stations that request Total Line Reporting is combined and

reported on a single estimate line with the call letters of the “primary”

station (selected by the combo from among the AM or FM stations in the

combo).

If the combined listening of stations that request Total Line Reporting •meets Minimum Reporting Standards, the combo will be reported—even

if (some or all of) the individual partner stations would not meet Minimum

Reporting Standards on their own.

Separate estimates are not available for stations that receive Total Line •Reporting.

Simulcast stations (including HD-Multicast stations and Internet streams) •that do not request, or are not eligible for, Total Line Reporting must

separately meet Minimum Reporting Standards.

Time-Shifted Listening Each Arbitron Encoder comes equipped with an internal clock. In addition,

the Encoder will accept input from an external master clock. The encoded

PPM signal, utilizing the internal or external clock, transmits time and date

information in the encoded signal. Each panelist’s Meter also contains an

internal clock (reset when the Meter is docked) that identifies the time and

date of the panelist’s exposure to encoded programming. By comparing the

time and date information, the PPM system identifies time-shifted listening.

Arbitron’s study of more than 5,000 station-level ratings, across multiple

markets, shows that approximately 99.9% of all time-shifted listening

occurs within one day of transmission. Accordingly, Arbitron will assign

credit for any time-shifted listening that occurs within 24 hours of the origi-

nal broadcast. Credit will be assigned for the quarter-hour(s) during which

the programming was originally broadcast.

PodcastingTime-shifted listening can occur when a panelist records and plays back

a station’s programming. Alternatively, a panelist may elect to listen to a

podcast. Podcasts are appropriately treated as time-shifted listening to

a station’s programming only if the podcast contains unedited broadcast

programming—including any commercials contained in the program or

program excerpt when originally broadcast.

Podcasts that contain completely unedited versions of a program or pro-

gram excerpt—exactly as originally broadcast—should be made from an

encoded feed of the programming, to enable the station to receive listening

credit for the podcast (as time-shifted listening). Edited podcasts should be

made from an unencoded source.

PPM headset adapter to permit detection of encoded programming with personal electronics.



10

Station Information

Station InformationStation Information PacketsStations in PPM markets will continue to receive quarterly Station

Information Packets (SIPs). These packets are still needed to collect and

report station information, such as format. In addition, Station Names are

still used for crediting in Diary markets adjacent to PPM markets and in

non-Metro counties within PPM markets.

Stations should notify Arbitron in advance of frequency moves and other

facility changes. These changes will continue to have important reporting

implications. By notifying Arbitron in advance, we can work with stations to

ensure that estimates are reported appropriately.

We also ask stations to provide engineer and emergency contact informa-

tion on the PPM Station Information Packet.

PPM Station Encoding PreviewArbitron distributes to each encoded station a quarterly PPM Station

Encoding Preview. The Preview shows the call letters, frequency, and

Station Name of each station in the market that has completed the encod-

ing process and is eligible for reporting.

E. SIGN-ON/SIGN-OFF CRITERIA

Your broadcast schedule, as currently listed at Arbitron,

is shown in the "Broadcast Schedule" section. Please

update this information to reflect your April Standard

Time on-air times using the following procedures:

Broadcast Schedule:

1. Hours 0000-2400 depict a 24-hour broadcast day.

(Please use military time.)

2. If you have more than one sign-on/sign-off time during

a given day, list the additional times in the space provided

under the "Broadcast Schedule" section.

3. Daytime stations only: Be sure to indicate actual

sign-on/sign-off times for April Standard Time. Use

the shortest broadcast day within that month.

F. TOTAL LINE REPORTING

If two or more of your stations simulcast 100% with one

another, including commercials, and you wish to request

Total Line Reporting for the Winter 2009 survey, enter

the call letters, band and frequency of each station in the

designated boxes on the enclosed Station Information

Form. Estimates for these stations will be reported

with a combined total line in all applicable Arbitron

services for which the combo qualifies; individual station

estimates will not be reported. Combos requesting Total

Line Reporting must identify one of the partners as the

“primary” station. Audience estimates for the combo will

be reported with the primary station’s call letters.

Eligible AM/HD-Multicast or FM/HD-Multicast combos

should request Total Line Reporting (TLR) by completing

the TLR portion of the Station Information Form –

identifying the HD-Multicast station by the primary

station’s call letters and “HD2,” “HD3,” etc. AM/

Internet or FM/Internet combos should request TLR by

checking the appropriate boxes on the Internet section

of the Station Information Form. Note: TLR combos

must select an AM or FM station as the “primary” station

and must simulcast all programming 100%, including

commercials and PSA’s.

Notes:

Because simulcasting relationships may change from

■

survey to survey, the simulcast partners must be

identified, and the request for Total Line Reporting

must be resubmitted, each survey for which Total Line

Reporting is requested.

Until the combo builds prior survey trends, any prior

■

survey estimates reported for the combo will reflect

listening only to the primary station.

These Total Line Reporting guidelines replace

■

Arbitron’s previous simulcasting guidelines. Effective

Winter 2006, Arbitron no longer reports simulcasting

relationships other than those that are eligible for,

and are reported via, Arbitron’s Total Line Reporting

guidelines.

C. CITY IDENTIFIERS

If one city is listed, it should be your FCC-licensed city.

If two cities are listed, the first must be your FCC-

licensed city; the second may be any city with which you

normally ID, provided the two cities are combined in a

City Identifier at least once an hour during the Monday-

Sunday 6AM-Midnight daypart throughout the entire

survey.

Updates can be made to either city by lining out the

incorrect city and writing in the correct city.

Note: Requests for changes of home status must

be made via a separate letter to Radio Station

Relations.

D. STATION NAME CRITERIA

1. A Station Name may contain up to 25 characters

(including spaces), but should not contain

abbreviations, slashes, multiple spellings, or

redundant elements.

2. A Station Name should be listed only if it is used as a

station identifier clearly, audibly and repeatedly during the

broadcast hour.

Note: Submitted Station Names are subject to deletion

if used fewer than four times per hour Monday-Friday

6AM-Midnight. (During programming in which stations

ID infrequently, they will still be eligible for credit for

submitted Station Names used on more than 50% of

the occasions on which the station uses an ID during the

broadcast hour.)

3. The name of a network may be included in a Station

Name when the majority of the programming aired by the

station is provided by that network, and it meets Station

Name usage guidelines.

4. If your station has chosen to round or truncate its

exact frequency and uses this whole number as a

Station Name, you must submit the whole number as an

identifier to be eligible for credit for the whole number; for

example, an FM exact frequency 95.5 rounded to either

“95” or “96”; or an AM exact frequency 1190 rounded to

either “11” or “12.”

5. The identifiers listed below are inadmissible in the

25-character Station Name:

Call letters ■

Nonpersonalized exact frequencies (e.g., “630” or

■

“1230” for AM stations or “98.5” or “107.3” for FM

stations)

Nonpersonalized generic descriptors ■

(not credited) (e.g.,"AM Radio")

In addition to the above, sports, personalities and

■

programs should not be included in Station Names

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ

We urge all radio stations to ensure that the

station information they submit is current and

accurate. A station’s submission of inaccurate

information may result in audience estimates

that misrepresent the station’s listening.

If any of the information you submit changes

during the survey, or if you discover that

you have inadvertently submitted inaccurate

information to Arbitron, you should notify

Arbitron immediately by faxing an update

to: Arbitron Radio Station Relations at

(410) 312-8619. You may confirm our receipt

of faxed updates by calling Radio Station

Relations at (410) 312-8062.

The enclosed form shows the information about your

station that Arbitron currently has listed. Please review

this form and update it where necessary by drawing

a line through any incorrect data and writing the

correct information where indicated.

If your station does not verify or update the

information shown on the form, Arbitron will continue

to use this information, excluding simulcast information.

Please be sure to SIGN the Station Information

Form.

A. UPDATE PROCEDURES

1. Review all information.

2. Draw a line through outdated information.

3. Print or type new information.

4. Sign, date and return to Arbitron.

B. FM STATION E.R.P./H.A.A.T.

FM station E.R.P. and H.A.A.T. are taken directly from

FCC documentation. If your station is operating at an

E.R.P. and/or H.A.A.T. other than that listed on the form,

please update the information and attach a copy of your

FCC authorization to operate at the new E.R.P./H.A.A.T.

WINTER 2009

STATION INFORMATION: INSTRUCTIONS

Instructions_US RMR-08-02955 11/08

Frequency:

Broadcast in HD

AM Day Power:

AM Night Power:

County of License:National Sales Rep:

Call Letters:FM ERP:

FM HAAT:

City of License:Networks (limit of 3 per station):

1ST QUARTER 2009 STATION INFORMATION

STATION NAMEYour STATION NAME, which appears below, must meet the Station Name guidelines listed in the enclosed instructions. If you have updated your Station Name,

please line through the preprinted Station Name and enter the correct Station Name in the boxes below (25-character limit)..

Station Name Currently on File:Update Station Name (if necessary)

FORMAT

Format on File:Update Format (select only one format):BROADCAST SCHEDULE (0000 TO 2400 MILITARY TIME) DAYTIME-ONLY STATIONS USE APRIL HOURS

currently on file▲

MONDAYTUESDAY

WEDNESDAYTHURSDAY

FRIDAYSATURDAY

ON OFF ON

OFF ON OFF ON

OFF ON OFF ON

OFF ON OFF

SUNDAY

I certify that the information submitted on this form is current and

accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that it is

my responsibility to notify Arbitron immediately of any changes or corrections

to this information as soon as they occur and/or they are noted.

General Manager Signature:

General Manager Name (PRINT): General Manager E-Mail Address:

Mailing Address:

Phone:

Fax:

URL Address:Program Director Name:Program Director E-Mail Address:

Date:

SIForm_US PPM RMR-08-02955 11/08

INTERNET STREAMING Does your station currently stream its signal on the Internet? Yes No

If yes, is the stream (including commercials and PSAs) exactly the same as the over-the-air broadcast? Yes No

Does your station stream 100% of its broadcast hours? Yes No

(PRINT)

TOTAL LINE REPORTINGOnly list stations that are 100% simulcast, including commercials and PSAs. (See enclosed instructions for guidelines.)

Primary station for Total Line Reporting: Call Letters: Band:

List all partner stations here:▲

SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR ENCODING CONTACT INFORMATION

CALL LETTERS BAND FREQUENCY CALL LETTERS BAND FREQUENCY CALL LETTERS BAND FREQUENCY CALL LETTERS BAND FREQUENCY

Station Information form



11

PPM Rating Distortion and Rating Bias

PPM Rating Distortion and Rating BiasRating DistortionArbitron may consider as Rating Distortion any station activity that Arbitron

believes may result in:

The participation of PPM panel participants unauthorized by Arbitron; •

The provision of false information to Arbitron; •

A station learning the identity of PPM panel participants; •

A station gaining access to, or influence over, any Arbitron PPM (except •as explicitly authorized by Arbitron); or

The use of any Arbitron PPM or encoded signal for any purpose other •than those intended by Arbitron.

Rating BiasArbitron may consider as Rating Bias any announcement, statement, or

activity by a station that may:

Differentially prompt a particular station’s listeners to participate as an •Arbitron PPM panelist (relative to other stations’ listeners);

Differentially prompt PPM panelists who listen to a particular station to •comply with Arbitron’s instructions (relative to panelists who listen to

other stations).

Examples of activities with Rating Bias potential would include:

Encouragement by, or on behalf of, a station to listeners to participate as •Arbitron panelists;

Messages to panelists by, or on behalf of, a station to carry their Meters •with them or download their listening information to Arbitron.

Messages delivered by a radio station (in any medium) alerting listen-•ers that Arbitron PPM ratings research is, or soon will be, in progress or

emphasizing the importance of participation in PPM ratings research.

(Note that reference to success in Arbitron’s PPM ratings reports for

prior report periods is generally not treated as Rating Bias under these

guidelines.)

Arbitron may request the return of its encoding equipment from, or decline

to publish audience estimates for, any station engaging in an activity

that, in Arbitron’s opinion, may result in substantial Rating Distortion or

Rating Bias.



12

Additional Information

Additional InformationArbitron provides panelists with a headphone adapter, allowing the •Meter to detect and record encoded signals by panelists listening with

headphones.

Upon request, and at Arbitron’s discretion, Arbitron will note (on the •Special Notices page of the applicable PPM Radio Market Report) any

Technical Difficulties—Off-Air, Reduced Power, or Signal Interference

—or Unencoded Interval that a qualifying station reports to Arbitron,

subject to verification. Audience estimates, however, are not adjusted for

reported Technical Difficulties or Unencoded Intervals.

Use Only as InstructedEncoding equipment should be used only as instructed by Arbitron.

Arbitron may request the return of its encoding equipment from, or decline

to publish audience estimates for, any station that uses Arbitron’s encoding

equipment in an unauthorized manner.

PPM headset adapter in use.

13

Arbitron eBookSM, Portable People MeterTM, PPMTM and PPM Analysis ToolSM are marks of Arbitron Inc. TAPSCAN™ is a trademark of TAPSCAN Inc., used

under license. DMA® is a registered mark of Nielsen Media Research, Inc., and is used pursuant to a license from Nielsen Media Research, Inc. HD Radio® is

a registered trademark of iBiquity Digital Corporation. Microsoft® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

© 2008 Arbitron Inc. PPM-08-02659 12/08

Arbitron Contact InformationTechnical Questions Regarding Encoding EquipmentArbitron Encoding Operations

(410) 312-8123

Policy Questions Regarding Encoding and Reporting Arbitron Syndicated Standards

and Analysis

Dave Willinski – (410) 312-8396

John Budosh – (410) 312-8722

Brian Stauffer – (410) 312-8045

Station Information UpdatesRadio Station Relations

(410) 312-8062

24/7 Encoding Emergency Hotline(866) 767-7212

Additional Arbitron Informationwww.arbitron.com

www.arbitron.com/ppm

www.arbitrontraining.com

New York142 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10019(212) 887-1300

Chicago222 South Riverside PlazaSuite 630Chicago, IL 60606(312) 542-1900

Atlanta9000 Central ParkwaySuite 300Atlanta, GA 30328(770) 668-5400

Los Angeles10877 Wilshire BoulevardSuite 1400Los Angeles, CA 90024(310) 824-6600

Dallas13355 Noel RoadSuite 1120Dallas, TX 75240(972) 385-5388

Washington/Baltimore9705 Patuxent Woods DriveColumbia, MD 21046(410) 312-8000

Documents

PPM Encoding Handbook