PPM Racks Up Four More Groups

Arbitron appears to be putting distance between itself and its two remaining competitors in the electronic radio ratings race.
It said Bonneville, Emmis, Greater Media and Lincoln Financial Media have entered into multi-year agreements for PPM radio ratings when the technology is deployed in the 50 markets of its rollout plan.
The ratings firm has said it plans to launch the Portable People Meter system as its radio ratings service beginning with Houston in July, pending Media Rating Council accreditation. Arbitron put out an announcement Thursday that included warm comments about PPM from executives of the four companies: Bruce Reese, Jeff Smulyan, Peter Smyth and Don Benson.