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Fighting for Minority Owned Radio Stations

Published by Pamela Gentry on Friday, July 10, 2009 at 12:54 am.

Please welcome guest blogger Rep. Edophus “Ed”  Towns (D-N.Y.) who serves as Chairman of the rep_towns_high_res_photo2Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.  He’s concerned about the future of minority owned radio stations and here’s why:

By Edolphus “Ed” Towns (N.Y.)

July 10, 2009 –  I have launched an investigation into widespread complaints that Arbitron’s new ratings system, the Portable People Meter (PPM), inaccurately measures the listening preferences of survey participants, which leads to lower ratings for minority focused radio stations. One concern is that the device picks up signals where the device is carried, but it does not pick up the listening preferences when the device is docked at home, which distorts listener preferences. I have also heard concerns that Arbitron does not adequately sample cell phone only households; therefore, the preferences of minority listeners might not be accurately recorded.

Since Arbitron started using the PPM in New York, minority broadcasters have seen an average drop of 40-60% in their ratings.  The Spanish Broadcasting Systems owns two stations in New York.  The first, WDKQ, reports a 55% decline in its ratings, while the second, WPAT, reporters a 67% decline in ratings.

The resulting under-participation and underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic listeners in Arbitron’s ratings system could, in turn, lead to the cancellation of important programs that exhibit particular appeal to minority audiences.  Even though it is far too soon for us to determine if there is a real cause and effect relationship between the slump in ratings and the PPM device, the potential consequences are too significant to ignore. 

 As part of this investigation, I have also written a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Michael Copps, asking him to provide me with the findings of an investigation that the Commission recently launched into the new ratings system. I have also directed Chairman Copps to provide me with the roll-out schedule that the FCC has imposed on Arbitron as it introduces this rating system into homes around the country. 

 Given the important implications of ratings accuracy to the future of minority community focused radio, we need to ensure that Arbitron gets this right.  My Committee will make this a priority until we are satisfied that the new ratings system gives minority listeners the standing they deserve.

 Could this impact your favorite radio station in your hometown? 

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Comments

Chris said on July 10th, 2009

I believe this to be a very important investigation. If the ratings are incorrectly reported this can and will affect to staions bottom line. If this system is reporting incorrectly and sponser look at the incorrect numbers, then they will pull their advertising dollars. This is not good and should be looked into before urban radio takes the hit.

k said on July 10th, 2009

way to go Ed!!!!!!, I’m glad to know this is being looked into.

Joy B./PA said on July 10th, 2009

The only R&B/Hip Hop station in Pittsburgh, PA has already been sold and will soon be off the air. I am not sure if this is the reason or if it is something else since nothing was explained to the faithful listeners of WAMO but now we are without a “black” radio station.

RED NECK HUNTER said on July 10th, 2009

MR EDOPHUS IF YOU WANT A REAL CENSUS ON WHO LISTENS TO BLACK RADIO STATIONS, DO SOME POLLS AND CALLS TO HOMES ALL RACES AND CULTURES THAT LIVE IN AMERICA. ASK THEM WHAT RADIO STATIONS DO THEY TUNE INTO? BLACK MUSIC AND THE PEOPLE WHO TALK ON BLACK RADIO STATIONS ARE LISTEN TO BY PEOPLE OF COLOR , ASIANS, LATINOS AND EVERY OTHER RACE THAT HAVE EARS!! AND I BETBALCK RADIO STATIONS WILL BE THEIR NUMBER ONE CHOICE OF RADIO STATIONS TO LISTEN TO , IF YOU DO A NATION WIDE POLL I THINK STEVE HARVEY ,, AND TOM JOYNER WILL COME IN FIRST BY DOING A NATION WIDE POLL YOU WIL GET SOME TRUE NUMBERS.

Amanda D. said on July 11th, 2009

I understand the importance of this investigation but, I’m more concerned w/ the content of black-owned radio, as well.

joseph odhiambo said on July 12th, 2009

I think its time africa as a continent has to stop the the selfish interests and work hard to end corruption and bad governance

Jason W. Weill said on July 13th, 2009

This is very important subject because many of your African-American owned radio stations provide some very worthwile services such as talk programs with the different community leaders to even carrying High School Sports. This topic should not be looked at as a Black and White issue because many of your community radio stations are struggling from day-to-day. It is the uttmost importance that our Community Radio Stations be protected because Community Service should have the highest Arbitron ratings of all.

Chris said on July 13th, 2009

It’s good to see that there are others that are chimming in on this topic. Talk radio in important in our community. I love the music too, but the topics of talk in our community gives us things to tink and talk about. I myself love shows like Tom Joyner, Steve Harvey, and Michael Baisden, but these gentlemen have to be paid. The bottom line is that if the numbers are incorrect advertisor will pull their dollars. The advertising dollar is what runs these stations and help pay their employees. Big ups to Congressman Towns for starting this investigation. Not only does there need to be a review of what’’s already in place, but a new a valid way of numbers report suggested.

Charles said on July 13th, 2009

I think it is bad when you have talk show&music shows like Steve Harvey at there best,then the station desides to pull out & leave the listners out before they stop broadcasting in L A,CA. They were on one morning and gone off without a word that the show is cancelled and no longer on the airway that what real & that not right

jfffnn said on July 13th, 2009

I am from Pittsburgh and JoyB./Pa. is correct about radio station WAMO.WAMO has been around for about sixty years,thier downfall was agreeing to give up 106.7 FM and go back to 105.9.With that move they lost signaling to the point many listeners were unable to get WAMO.The sad thing is WAMO 860AM was also sold and they had A solid market for folk who like old school.I’m sure there are enough rich Blacks around here who could have purchased Sheridan Broadcasting Co.

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