Arbitron Settles NJ Suit; NABOB Calls for Nationwide Extension

US media ratings giant Arbitron has signed a settlement with New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram to resolve her concerns that its PPM undercounts the listening habits of minorities. The result has prompted a call for terms of the settlement to be rolled out across all PPM markets.

Last September, Milgram issued Arbitron with a subpoena seeking more info about the PPM (Portable People Meter), following New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's request for a full PPM investigation.

Earlier in the week, the firm settled a similar lawsuit filed by Cuomo by agreeing to incorporate a number of actions to improve its recruitment of minority panellists, and paying a total of $260,000 in fines and costs.

The firm also agreed to pay a lump sum of $100,000 to the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) for a joint project between NABOB and the Spanish Radio Association to support minority radio.

As part of the NJ settlement, Arbitron denies any liability or wrongdoing, but has agreed to pay $130,000 for investigative costs and expenses.

However, while NABOB is pleased that a settlement has been reached, Executive Director Jim Winston is now asking Arbitron to agree to apply the terms of the NY and NJ settlements to all PPM markets.

'Unfortunately, this settlement only applies in the New York City and Philadelphia markets,' he explained. 'NABOB will ask Arbitron to agree to the terms negotiated in New York and Philadelphia for every market in which it has rolled-out, or is planning to roll-out, PPM. Absent an agreement by Arbitron to make this a nationwide settlement, this battle will continue.' Arbitron is yet to reply to the call.

Earlier today, the firm announced that the Media Rating Council (MRC) has accredited its PPM radio quarter hour ratings data in Riverside-San Bernardino.

Web site: www.arbitron.com .