Clear Channel renews Arbitron radio ratings deal in local markets
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US-- Broadcaster Clear Channel Radio has “partially renewed” its contract with Arbitron to provide diary-based ratings in 105 local markets.
The three-year deal, worth $69m, replaces the previous contract which expired at the end of 2008.
Clear Channel abandoned Arbitron's diary-based methodology in 17 small and medium-sized markets in favour of a similar system from Nielsen last year. Despite renewing its deal with Arbitron, it has again ditched the firm in favour of Nielsen's sticker diary method, this time in the Newburgh/Middletown market in New York.
A further seven local markets are not covered by the renewal with Arbitron, and will not be rated at all.
The broadcaster said it was considering using Nielsen for ratings services in more markets and was impressed with the “outstanding data” gained from the test of the sticker diary method in Lexington in March.
In what appears to be a veiled dig at Arbitron, Clear Channel said: “The professionalism, commitment to accuracy and customer support we've received from Nielsen is matched only by their research quality and ability to deliver an accurate measure of true radio listening.”
Author: James Verrinder
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Arbitron confirms Clear Channel agreement
