Click on the banner to learn more...

Arbitron backs off blanket embargo

One element of the fallout from the Infinity defection from Arbitron was a decision by the ratings giant to make ratings for markets where Infinity is a player client-exclusive. The idea was to assure that Arbitron's copyrights were protected and to assure that only clients are able to benefit from its research. That would effectively shut down commonly-published generic ratings information, such as 12+ ratings and rankers, since those are the markets in which Infinity has its radio strongholds.

Responding to numerous expressions of concern from the trade press, Arbitron has backed down, saying "...you have also persuasively argued that the absence of quarterly ratings in the trades and in the daily papers makes it more difficult for radio as a medium to promote its value to listeners and advertisers."

It is releasing info on all continuously-rated markets, and is asking publishers to use discretion. " We will trust to the integrity of the radio industry to do the right thing in regards to estimates that appear in your publication. Additionally, we ask you to be sure the Copyright notice is appropriately displayed with each 12+ ranker you publish."

A number of non-continuous markets do remain on the embargo list, with publication rights withheld. They include Bryan-College Station, Burlington VT, Casper, Cheyenne, Corpus Christi, Dothan, Dubuque, Elmira, Flagstaff, Ft. Smith, Ft. Wayne, Gainesville-Ocala, Great Falls, Mankato, Modesto, Montgomery, Muncie-Marion, Muskegon, New Bedford, Olean, Portsmouth, Rapid City, Reading, Rockford, Rochester MN, San Angelo, South Bend, Stockton, Trenton, Waterloo and Watertown.