Arbitron announced that GAP Broadcasting and GAP West, both backed by Oaktree Capital, had signed new multi-year agreements for diary-based radio ratings in 17 markets. Why make such a big deal out of seemingly routine renewals? Six of the 11 markets renewed by George Laughlin’s GAP are markets where Nielsen is rolling out its new sticker diary radio ratings service this year. None of the six markets renewed by Erik Hellum’s GAP West are involved in the initial Nielsen push.
