Beasley Breaks PPM Barrier

Beasley Broadcast Group Inc. is the first radio group to sign up for Arbitron’s Portable People Meter ratings service when it is deployed in Philadelphia, home of the PPM’s original tests in this country.
Company Chairman/CEO George Beasley said the PPM “would provide additional integrity to our ratings results, which we believe will be embraced by our advertising clients.”
Arbitron said the Beasley deal is the first announcement of a radio broadcaster’s signature on a contract for PPM ratings services. It has signed several ad agencies for PPM measurement.
None of the agreements commit Arbitron to a specific timetable for deployment of the PPM; the audience research firm hasn’t yet decided when and in what markets it would deploy the electronics ratings system to measure local radio listening.
Arbitron said the signings are a good start toward obtaining critical mass for the PPM.
George G. Beasley, chairman and chief executive officer of Beasley Broadcast Group commented, “Beasley is a progressive company committed to utilizing the most advanced technologies available to the radio industry to enhance our platform for both listeners and advertisers. The Portable People Meter will provide additional integrity to our ratings results, which we believe will be embraced by our advertising clients.”