"Houston, We Have A PPM"

Arbitron's first report, compiled jointly with the RAB, regarding the Portable People Meter's commercial viability was presented today in a web presentation and, according to ARB officials, the corruption of PPM data is "virtually impossible."

In a 57-page analysis, RAB's subcommittee and Arbitron say...

* Attempts to remove the signals embedded in station broadcasts for reception by the devices would destroy the content

* "Five or six" possible redesigns of the PPM are in the works. The goal: "a balance between functionality, style and confidentiality."

* A major question they hope to answer in the Houston tests - is one Arbitron PPM equivalent to two diaries? Or, 3:1. ) Those numbers seem small, but depending on which it is, the costs could go up or down 30%!)

* The question of whether Nielsen joins the venture is still up in the air, in spite of several years' work to sell the VNU company on ARB's approaches.

- Answers to 188 basic questions on ARB's PPM is online now at http://www.rab.com/.

- To access a full copy of the report, including an introduction from RAB President and Chief Executive Officer Gary Fries, a description of the Subcommittee’s mandate, and a list of Research Committee members, please click here.

- Also online: Arbitron Reaches Goal of Recruiting 2,100 Consumers for Demonstration of Portable People Meter System in Houston