This bulletin provides radio stations and other users of Arbitron services with information regarding Winter 2008 survey specification changes and key dates.

PPM™ Markets

Concurrent Diary Measurement and PPM Measurement in Three Markets
During the Winter 2008 survey, Arbitron will continue measuring the markets below using Arbitron’s Diary methodology, while separately electronically measuring the markets listed below using Arbitron’s Portable People Meter™ (PPM). During this interval, Arbitron’s audience estimates based on Diary measurement will remain the “Currency” for these markets.

New York
Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island)
Middlesex-Somerset-Union

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

Market Changes

There are no market definition changes for the Winter 2008 survey.

Winter 2008 Response Rate and Sample Representation Initiatives

Sex/Age Enumeration
Effective with the Winter 2008 survey, all consenting households contacted during Diary placement and conversion calls are asked the sex and age of each household member. This information is used in determining whether the household should receive enhanced “Young Male” premiums and other Differential Survey Treatments applicable to households that contain one or more Males 18–34 years old. Households that decline to provide the requested sex/age information during the calls are asked whether the household contains a Male within specified age ranges. Sex/age information recorded by diarykeepers in returned diaries continues to be used to assign in-tab diaries to appropriate sex/age cells.

Key Dates

Station Information Updates During the Winter 2008 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 (January 10 –February 6). Station updates that should be forwarded to Arbitron include:

*Fall 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 April 2. 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 Winter 2008 survey can be reviewed online at www.ArbitronRadio.com. Click 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.

ArbitrendsSM, Arbitron Portable People Meter™ and PPM™ are marks of Arbitron Inc.