STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. MCDOWELL
Re:  Impact of Arbitron Audience Ratings Measurements on Radio Broadcasters, 
MB Docket No. 08-187.
This Notice of Inquiry provides the Commission with a more formal opportunity to 
consider issues that have been raised about the reliability of the new “portable people meter” 
(“PPM”) automated audience-rating measurement device being rolled out by Arbitron, Inc., the 
major ratings service for the nation’s commercial radio broadcasters.  Thus far, we have heard
from some broadcasters who are concerned about certain research methodologies employed in 
connection with the device and their potential effect on ratings.  We also have heard from 
Arbitron and other broadcasters that the new automated approach to ratings measurement offers 
significant improvements over the older, manual diary-reporting system.  I look forward to 
receiving comment from a broad array of interested parties on the questions raised in the Notice.  
I expect to pay particular attention to analyses of the Commission’s authority to take any further 
action in this arena.