I was just wondering the process of how different stations and their programs are rated. For that matter I know TV has Nielsen ratings but that is fine for national programs and don't mean squat for local stuff. I've heard mention of Arbitron but what is that and how does it work? Is there a Smith group someplace that just listens to and rates radio programs? Where do they get the results from? How does afternoon drive show on station A get better ratings than station B? Is there any SWAG involved?

I yield the floor to Ms. Danner!

I'm pretty sure Nielson & Arbitron both send out surveys to select houses...

Suggest you go to www.arbitron.com .

There's plenty of information on this site to enlighten you...from "the" company that reports listenership all over the US.

I'll took a look.
TY

Arbitron is just a tricky little mechanism that prompts the contributor to recall brand identification. Nothing more, nothing less.