This bulletin provides radio stations and other users of Arbitron services with information regarding Spring 2007 survey specification changes and key dates.

PPM Markets

Additional PPM Market Added
Effective Spring 2007, the Continuous-Measurement radio market below is being converted from diary measurement to electronic measurement using Arbitron’s Portable People Meter™ (PPM™).  Audience estimates based on diary measurement will not be available for report periods after Winter 2007 in this market: 

Houston-Galveston

Additional Information on PPM Markets Available
Information on other PPM markets and on Arbitron’s PPM service, in general, is available in a separate PPM Presurvey Bulletin.  Information is also available at: http://www.arbitron.com/portable_people_meters/home.htm

Market Changes

Condensed Markets Added
Three new Condensed markets are added, effective with the Spring 2007 survey.  These markets will be surveyed Spring and Fall, as part of the Qualitative Diary Service.  Effective Fall 2007, audience estimates for these markets will reflect a two-book average of the Spring 2007 and Fall 2007 surveys.

Geographic Splits Established
There are three whole counties in which new geographic splits have been established for the Spring 2007 survey:

Ethnic Controls Added
Five markets qualified for new Ethnic Controls, effective with the Spring 2007 survey: 

Ethnic Controls Removed
Arbitron’s enhanced DST policy, which provides for the removal of ethnic Differential Survey Treatment (DST) from markets that do not meet ethnic DST requirements for three consecutive years, becomes effective Spring 2007.  Based on this enhanced policy, two markets no longer qualify for Black Ethnic Controls, effective Spring 2007:

High Density Area (HDA) Established
The following counties are newly split, effective with the Spring 2007 survey:

Metro In-Tab Target Increase
One Standard market took a step in the Sample Increase program and will receive a target increase, effective Spring 2007:

Spring 2007 Response Rate and Sample Representation Initiative

Enhanced Follow-Up Treatment Extended to Additional Markets
Effective Spring 2007, all consenting households in select additional markets will receive three follow-up calls, to thank the respondents, and to facilitate and encourage participation. 

Minimum Premium Increases in Select Markets
In select markets, the minimum diary premium provided to survey respondents increases effective Spring 2007.

Service Enhancements

eDiary
Effective with the Winter 2007 survey, radio survey participants in diary-based markets received a traditional paper diary for each eligible household member and were also afforded the option to use an Internet-based electronic diary (eDiary), should the participant find the electronic diary more convenient or appealing.  To allow for further refinements to eDiary, the eDiary option is being suspended, effective with the Spring 2007 survey.  

Key Dates

Station Information Updates During the Spring 2007 Survey

Please remember to notify Arbitron in writing immediately of any call letter, Station Name, or other facility changes that occur at your station during the survey (April 5–June 27).

Station updates that should be forwarded to Arbitron include:

*Winter times used for Phase 1. 
**Diary edit information is not retroactive and becomes effective upon our receipt.

Please address updates to:

Address:
Radio Station Relations
Arbitron Inc.
9705 Patuxent Woods Drive
Columbia, MD 21046-1572
Attention: Station Information

Fax: (410) 312-8619

Station information updates will be accepted through June 27. All updates will be acknowledged by letter or postcard. If you do not receive an update confirmation postcard, please contact Radio Station Relations at (410) 312-8062.

Station Information Profiles on file with Arbitron for the Spring 2007 survey can be reviewed online at www.ArbitronRadio.com. Click on the Station Information Profiles link, and enter the call letters of the station you want to review.

The policy and procedure amendment(s) set forth in this bulletin are hereby incorporated by reference into and deemed to amend and supersede in pertinent part the most recent Description of Methodology as published in the Local Radio Market Report or as otherwise furnished to subscribers.

For more detailed information on the topics in this bulletin, including the specific markets affected by Arbitron’s ongoing efforts to improve sample quality, please contact your local Arbitron sales representative.

Arbitrends^SM, Portable People Meter™ and PPM™ are marks of Arbitron Inc.