Radio Geo’s Media Blog (And Then Along Came PPM) 2/28/22

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When I was just a radio rookie, I already knew that the methodology they used to harvest ratings had more to do with who was #1 than the programming did.
When my brother and I were doing the Class format nationwide, we used to do seminars where we talked about the bias of each method and how to take advantage of that bias.

At one of these events, I’ll never forget Jack McCoy claiming that Arbitron/Neilson only has one happy customer; in each market, the rest are suing them.
He predicted that ARB would soon figure out how to have all the radio stations tied, which would mean that the best salesperson wins the game, not the ratings.

When the radio folks started figuring out how to take advantage of the bias that came with the diary (image), Arbitron came up with the PPM device.
To the delight of the radio station owners, the new device claimed that those expensive morning shows were no longer necessary.

Arbitron claimed that morning listening had been overinflated even though the device missed at least an hour of listening every morning.
However, instead of radio calling bullshit like they usually do, they started slashing their morning budgets. Do you smell a conspiracy?

GEO’S LIFE-LINERS

Growth begins the moment we know just how little we know.

Either they are calling the flu and colds Covid, or what we’re doing t is shutting them down?

There is a hell of a lot more bad people in America than there are bad cops.

Just because their mouths are moving doesn’t mean they’re communicating.

Teaching me what you know is the easy part; learning what you mean is the hard part.

Your getting to me only produces a seeker of revenge.

Sometimes all ya got is what you believe in.

You don’t need to worry about getting justice if you’ve got power and money.

Vigilantes don’t need to read anybody their Miranda rights before serving their justice.

Speaking of Vigilantes, it may be the only way we get equal justice.

If I could teach anything to the women I love, it would be to be more aware of your surroundings and never think that you have the right to be safe because you’re a woman.

Speaking of the women I love, I also wish they could figure out how to take care of themselves financially.

If we don’t allow the young to rebel, there will be no future.

Does anybody have the right to be arrogant?

I know no one who doesn’t owe somebody.

The pursuit of success is much more fun than ever achieving it is.

What I can’t understand is why the people who surrounded the Beatles made more money than the Beatles did?

I doubt that Simon and Garfunkel would have become anything if Tom Wilson hadn’t turned their folk music into rock without their knowledge. One can only wonder if they ever thanked him?

The only folks that I know who lie for a living are salespeople and politicians.

Only your imagination allows you a peek at the future.

Have you ever noticed that no politician has ever said, “Once elected, I’m going to give a bunch of free money to foreign countries?” And yet, that’s what they do.

No response tells me more than most responses.

So who’s more evil, black thugs or Italian mobsters?

Speaking of Black people, why does the Media get so excited whenever they do anything? They sound somewhat surprised, which to me sounds kinda racist?.

The person who draws the maps is much more powerful than those who just read them.

Standing up to fear has a name; Courage.

Whenever I hear “Geek” talk, I’m reminded of the quote, “He who controls the language, controls the budget.

The only place where cash isn’t King is at the grocery store; they’re too busy doing other things to take your money.

The words you use while giving a gift are more important than the gift itself.

Everybody’s funny about money.

Why is it that when someone says that they love you, you wonder if it’s true, but if someone says that they hate you, you buy it right away?

Now that we have more rights than our parents, why do we have to live in gated communities?

Speaking of rights, if white males thought about their rights as much as anybody else does, they’d soon realize they don’t have any.

Speaking of white males, why do we tolerate left-wing Hollywood portraying everyone else as being more intelligent. Good luck with that; I’ll put up our inventions and creations against theirs anytime.

I’m sorry, but whenever I get an amber alert, I think that it’s a Dad trying to rescue his child from a psychotic mother.

To become smart, one must study; to become wise, one must live.

COMMENTS

Jed Duvall: George: I am most afraid of Serbian, Croatian, Albanian, Turkish, and other Eastern European mobsters. For some reason, atrocities against fellow human beings do not seem to affect them much. At least the Italian mobsters have marginal respect for the Roman Catholic church, but then it may be that the people in control of Vatican City are associated with the Sicilian mob as well. then, too, the Chinese Communists are not very respectful of human rights, either.
Geo: Scary stuff, Jed.

Angela Manfredi: Love this story, George, for so many reasons. I can picture the scenes as I’m reading your words. And, I do love county music! I also love that you were spontaneous – and justly rewarded for living in the moment. I’m inspired. (Hill Billy Music)
Geo: Thanks for your response Angela, I can hardly wait until I get to induct you into the Radio Hall Of Fame.

Rob Ray: You Forgot To mention the Amazing Chuck Rhoads as Program Director!! (Big D Little a)
Geo: That must have been when I was no longer involved, Rob, Chuck was Ron Chapman’s assistant during my tenure.

Bruce Walker: What? The writer of the song only gets 12% of the Royalties on record sales and nothing for when the band makes a fortune playing concerts because of the song. Sometimes the record companies even rip off the writer by stealing the royalties or only paying them after the sale of so many records. (Tattoo You)
I don’t think there’s a good story ever coming out of the music industry, Bruce.

Radio Geo’s Media Blog is a politically incorrect inside look at Radio, TV, Music, Movies, Social Media, Politics, and Life. For a peek at some upcoming Blogs, or to see some that you may have missed, go to GeorgeJohns.com. On Twitter @GeoOfTheRadio. Sharing and commenting is not only encouraged; it’s appreciated.
If you’d like to subscribe to Geo’s Media Blog, send your email address to radiogeo@gmail.com

 

3 thoughts on “Radio Geo’s Media Blog (And Then Along Came PPM) 2/28/22

  1. Jim Harper: Your description of how Arbitron killed big morning shows with PPM deserves more discussion.
    It is odd that Radio companies hardly fought that giant change in reported listening.
    As far as a “conspiracy” goes between Arbitron and big Radio, just ask yourself this question:
    Would any other business in the world surrender to a company THEY PAY for research/ratings if that company suddenly announced their main source of success was now a useless drain on their budget? And furthermore, this company was now going to charge you MORE for this information that would cripple your business?
    The answer is NO.
    You’d fight back…make them prove it, and if you weren’t willing to accept that nonsense, you’d stop using that company immediately.
    Instead…we saw dozens of great talents phased out, Radio expenses cut and a dozen big managers retire out with a bonus, over the next year or two.
    And like you said…now everyone is kind of tied in the ratings, give or take.
    It deserves more discussion. (And Then Along Came PPM.)
    Geo: Well said, Mr. Harper.

  2. Bill Gardner: Regarding your post on Arbitron ratings and morning shows, I’m delighted to see your Insight has not slipped even a bit. And I’ve had the pleasure of working for both you and the legendary Jack McCoy at KCBQ San Diego as a morning man.
    That PPM device has cost America many a fun morning show and is one reason why I’m an airline captain today instead of doing a morning radio show.
    Another tidbit I remember saying when I was comparing Arbitron reports to school report cards back when we dominated ratings, “Only the A students would purchase their report cards, the others would not or would at least deny their accuracy.”(And Then Along Came PPM)
    Bill it was the first time ever that most of the broadcasters didn’t argue with the results of Arbitron. It sure makes me more than a little suspicious.

    • Bill Gardner: Pardon me for the airline analogy again, but it’s why airlines vigorously fight to prevent raising the FAA maximum retirement age for airline Captains to above 65. Although usually in great health, they’re all the guys that are making the most money and the airlines can’t wait to hire hungry younger replacements just as qualified but lacking those years of flight experience but starting at a fraction of the senior Captain’s salary. (And Then Along Came The PPM)
      Geo: I hear ya, Bill, it’s like in my hometown of Transcona where most of my friends worked for the CNR at an early age. When the railway discovered that they were top-heavy with guys they couldn’t fire because of their seniority, they offered them early retirement when they were only in their fifties.

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