At long last, Arbitron late yesterday confirmed what we reported Monday (6/25/07 RBR #123), that Clear Channel has signed a long-term contract for PPM ratings in all of the top 50 markets where it has stations. That's 46 markets in all, which should have PPM up and running by the end of 2010. Clear Channel had previously signed up only for Philadelphia, the first market where PPM has become ratings currency.
According to Arbitron, the agreement with Clear Channel expires December 31, 2011. In addition to adding PPM service, it also extends until that date the current contract for diary-based radio ratings in each of the markets covered by the agreement that have not been converted to PPM radio ratings before the end of 2008, the expiration date of the current diary agreement between Clear Channel and Arbitron. Clear Channel is Arbitron's largest radio ratings subscriber and represented approximately 19% of Arbitron's revenue in 2006.
As previously reported, The Media Audit/Ipsos insists that having Clear Channel, and Cox Radio before it, sign up for PPM service does not lessen their commitment to helping to fund tests of the TMA/Ipsos challenger. Now that the deal with Arbitron is official, RBR asked Clear Channel for comment, but had not received any by deadline.
