RICHARD WAGONER: Why radio stations all run ads at the same time
August 7th, 2010
Ever notice that music stations seem to run commercials simultaneously?
Thought it was coincidence? Think again. Turns out it is related to ratings.
Arbitron’s electronic PPM ratings system gives credit to a station as long as a listener tunes in for at least five minutes in a quarter hour (every hour is split into 15-minute increments). It doesn’t have to be continuous, as long as it is a minimum of five minutes.