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Why Nielsen Keeps Sweetening The Deal For PPM Panelists

Dr. Ed Cohen
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Why Nielsen Keeps Sweetening The Deal For PPM Panelists

My last two columns have discussed the possible changes to the Nielsen radio diary service, driven by escalating costs and the contraction in the radio industry. Americans don’t like taking surveys, especially ones that involve filling in a paper diary for an entire week.

On the PPM side, the same problem exists. However you calculate PPM response rates, whether a “true” response rate, the Sample Performance Indicator (SPI) or in some other fashion, they all suck. And Nielsen takes the blame for what is an industry-wide problem. Regardless, PPM data is so important today that Nielsen must ensure that the panelists they’ve recruited wear their PPM watches as much as possible.

Now that it’s part of video measurement, PPM has helped drive recent increases for live sports. The NBA Finals had the largest audiences in years. It didn’t hurt that the New York Knicks won because when the largest market in the country is engaged, the estimates will increase. But the NHL also hit new highs with two small-market teams in the finals (Carolina and Vegas), even though as a true hockey fan, I watched less because ESPN does such an awful job of covering the NHL.

Over the years, I’ve implored you to read the Presurvey Bulletin (PSB). It’s not exciting prose but is always short. PSBs are released for each measurement period, typically the day before the first day of measurement, so the next PPM and diary bulletins will hit the Nielsen portal this Wednesday.

Nielsen’s Pattern Of Incentive Periods

One of the headaches of the PPM system is that it operates 365 days a year. I use the word “headache” in that Nielsen needs data for days when most of the panelists would rather forget they’re in a panel. Can’t you imagine the look on children’s faces on Christmas Day when the parents say, “Sorry kids, you can’t open your gifts until you put on your meter!”? Or “No turkey for you if you aren’t wearing your meter!” on Thanksgiving.

Given that problem, Nielsen typically offers either additional incentives or contests for those periods when panelists are less likely to be in-tab. It’s a sensible approach, but lately the company has resorted to this tactic more often. And that’s where the Presurvey Bulletin comes in.

Nielsen has offered extra incentives in each of the last five survey months. Here goes:

  • February 2026: A “three-day incentive” was offered to targeted households for February 14-16, which was Presidents Day weekend.
  • March 2026: A two-week incentive was offered to targeted households for the period of March 2-15.
  • April 2026: A two-week incentive was offered to targeted households for the period of April 6-19. That period included the NCAA men’s basketball championship and The Masters. Oddly, a holiday didn’t matter as Easter was on April 5.
  • May 2026: A two-week incentive was offered to targeted households for the period of April 27 to May 10.
  • June 2026: A two-week incentive was offered to targeted households for the period of June 1-14. The NBA and NHL finals ran during this time.

What The Incentive Calendar Reveals

In each case, Nielsen said the incentives were expected to improve in-tab rates. We don’t know which specific households were targeted, but it’s not hard to guess. Households with younger people and minorities who are less likely to have higher in-tab rates will earn more if they comply. And if I had to guess, I’d say Nielsen is trying to ensure that in-tab rates are better for major sporting events.

Your question may be, “Does this matter to me?” Yes, it does, because you can play the game along with Nielsen. If you have a station that serves groups with lower in-tab rates, why not schedule your promotions at the same time as Nielsen schedules theirs? More of your potential listeners may be wearing their PPM watches to earn some more money.

It may not be a huge advantage, but as we know, it only takes one or two meters to change everything in the PPM system.

Digital Payments And Diary Sample Changes

Along that line, the June PSB disclosed another change. Going back to the Arbitron days, PPM panelists have always been paid by check, with a few exceptions for “unbanked” households that received cash in the mail. Nielsen is testing digital payments starting this month in Nashville.

The PSB says digital payments will roll out in a hurry. June is seeing “a small number” of homes, but the entire panel will switch to digital payments by Q4. A good move, but let’s see if it has any effect on compliance.

And don’t miss out on a PSB diary service headline. The Spring edition told you that the percentage of “targeted reselects” will be increased by 35% to 53%. Yes, over half of the diary sample is now made up of people who have “been there and done that.”

It’s worth a few minutes of your time to read the Presurvey Bulletin, whether monthly or quarterly. Do it later this week.

Let’s meet again next week.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Longtime KDKA Radio Reporter Greg McAtee Dies

Garrett Searight
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Longtime KDKA Radio Reporter Greg McAtee Dies

KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh is mourning the loss of one of its own. Reporter Greg McAtee has died.

What We Know: McAtee died on Friday after a five-year battle with cancer. A statement from his daughters shared that he had been in “intense chemotherapy” for the past two years. Greg McAtee had worked as a traffic reporter for KDKA since 2017.

What They Said: “We lost a great colleague today. Man, did he ever care about doing a great job. Always. Greg was a great man and a fantastic father.” -KDKA afternoon host Colin Dunlap

What Remains Unclear: When funeral arrangements will be scheduled for McAtee. It is also unclear what memorials KDKA Radio has planned to remember their colleague.

What It Means: Seeing the way his co-workers have described Greg McAtee highlights the impact he had. Audacy Regional Vice President Michael Spacciapolli called him “an absolute professional in every sense of the word.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Los Angeles Lakers PA Announcer Lawrence Tanter Retires From Role After 43 Years

John Mamola
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Los Angeles Lakers PA Announcer Lawrence Tanter Retires From Role After 43 Years

The Los Angeles Lakers have named Lawrence Tanter as Special Advisor for Game Presentation. The move follows his retirement after 43 seasons as the team’s public address announcer.

What We Know: Tanter has served as the Lakers’ PA announcer since 1982. In his new advisory role, he will apply his institutional knowledge to shape the franchise’s future game presentation. The Chicago native called 10 NBA championships and 16 Western Conference titles during his tenure. Notably, during the 2020 NBA Bubble, he recorded game introductions from his home studio to preserve the familiar Lakers atmosphere.

What They Said: Los Angeles Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss: “Lawrence Tanter has been an integral part of the Lakers gameday experience for more than four decades, setting the tone for countless memorable moments with his professionalism, energy and signature booming voice. Since the 1980s, LT has narrated every chapter of Lakers basketball, connecting generations of fans, players, coaches and staff while becoming a trusted and unforgettable part of the Lakers experience. I am incredibly grateful for everything he has given to this franchise.”

What Remains Unclear: The Lakers have not yet announced who will succeed Tanter behind the courtside microphone. It also remains to be seen how his advisory role will formally integrate into the team’s game presentation structure.

What It Means: Tanter’s transition reflects a growing trend of franchises keeping legendary figures involved beyond their on-floor roles. Rather than simply moving on, the Lakers are retaining one of professional sports’ most recognizable voices as an institutional resource.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

CNN Poll Finds Fox News Most Trusted Political Brand in TV

Garrett Searight
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CNN Poll Finds Fox News Most Trusted Political Brand in TV

CNN conducted a poll to find out how Americans feel about the state of politics and media. What it found was that Fox News was the most trusted brand in television.

What We Know: An SSRS poll conducted for CNN asked respondents, “For you, personally, is there a specific person or source you trust to tell you about what’s happening in politics? 45% of those people responded yes. Of those respondents, 25% said they could name a favorite source. Those respondents then shared the television news brands they trusted most.

What the Numbers Show:

Brand% Who Trust Brand
Fox News5%
CNN2%
MS NOW1%
PBS1%
ABC News1%
NBC News1%
Newsmax1%

The survey — with a sample size of just under 2,000 — also asked which individuals were trusted most. Joe Rogan, Aaron Parnas, and Heather Cox Richardson also garnered 1%. Of non-television brands, NPR earned 2% of the vote, while The New York Times was at 1%, as was BBC News.

What It Means: The data from SSRS and CNN comes after a Reuters survey showed that only 33% trusted Fox News. That trails ABC News and NBC News by more than 10 points. However, as seen with this survey, Fox News earned a much larger share of trust than ABC and NBC.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Sticks Media Loses WLGR As Border Media Reacquires Station

David Hill
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Sticks Media Loses WLGR As Border Media Reacquires Station

Border Media is taking back a station it once sold. The deal cancels a promissory note instead of changing hands for cash.

What We Know: Ricki Lee’s Border Media is reacquiring Classic Hits 93.5 Lake-FM (WLGR) in Warrensburg/Glens Falls, New York. The seller is Todd Nixon’s Sticks Media, which originally bought WLGR in November 2024 for $295,000. As a result, the station now returns to Border Media’s portfolio through a financial restructuring rather than a traditional sale.

What They Said: Lee framed the move as a fresh start for the station. “We are very pleased to bring WLGR into the Border Media portfolio,” she said. “While this transition stems from a financial restructuring, we view it as a great opportunity to invest our resources and long-term vision into the station. Our goal is to provide stability and high-quality local media that genuinely connects with the community.” Nixon, for his part, expressed confidence in the handoff, saying he is glad to see the station land with a capable, forward-thinking team.

What Remains Unclear: Neither group has disclosed new staffing, programming, or leadership plans for WLGR. Additionally, the specific terms of the promissory note cancellation have not been made public.

What It Means: Ultimately, the reacquisition signals stability for WLGR’s listeners and advertisers. Border Media now controls the station’s direction again, with Lee promising continuity through the transition. Meanwhile, the deal also reflects ongoing consolidation pressures among smaller radio groups navigating financial restructuring.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

DAZN Reportedly Restructuring For Potential Outside Investment, Initial Public Offering

John Mamola
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DAZN Reportedly Restructuring For Potential Outside Investment, Initial Public Offering

DAZN is reportedly overhauling its corporate structure to attract outside investment and explore a public listing. According to The Financial Times, the move signals a significant new chapter for the global sports streaming giant.

What We Know: DAZN is owned by billionaire Leonard Blavatnik. The platform is reportedly restructuring its business to make it easier to raise new money and explore a possible public listing. According to The Financial Times, a new Cayman Islands holding company will be created for the DAZN Group. That group will gain control ultimately held by Blavatnik’s Access Industries. The company has already transferred ownership from an existing holding entity. Additionally, DAZN has been expanding aggressively — merging with ViewLift, a leading provider of streaming and digital solutions deeply embedded in U.S. sports. That signals clear ambitions to break into American local sports markets.

What Remains Unclear: A source shared to The Financial Times that “no decision had yet been made on any IPO or its timeline.” Furthermore, it remains to be seen how the restructure will affect DAZN’s recently completed ViewLift merger. As well as its pursuit of U.S. local sports rights. DAZN faces significant competition from Amazon, ESPN, Fubo, and YouTube — all targeting local sports streaming with the collapsing RSN model.

What It Means: DAZN is methodically positioning itself for a major financial milestone. The company narrowed its losses to $936 million in 2024. That’s down from $1.4 billion the prior year, while revenues climbed to $3.2 billion. Combined with its U.S. expansion push through ViewLift, the structural overhaul suggests DAZN’s leadership believes the platform is finally ready for the public markets spotlight. It will need the added investment if the platform truly wants to be a player for local media rights with MLB, NHL, and NBA teams.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Rumble Completes Acquisition of Northern Data, Adding AI Division to Parent Company

Garrett Searight
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Rumble Completes Acquisition of Northern Data, Adding AI Division to Parent Company

RUM Group has previously operated the Rumble digital video platform. Now it’s expanding those operations while focusing on its core.

What We Know: RUM Group will now operate two core business units. It will oversee the Rumble video platform and Quake AI. Previously, Quake AI was known as Northern Data. It encompasses both its cloud and AI businesses. That portion of the businesses is new to Rumble after it acquired Northern Data.

What They Said: “We are living through a once-in-a-generation shift. As artificial intelligence makes knowledge abundant, the scarcest and most valuable resource on Earth becomes the one thing machines can’t manufacture — human imagination. RUM exists to build the future where that ingenuity wins, and to make sure it belongs to the dreamers and the doers. Quake AI gives that imagination a foundation. Rumble gives it a voice.” -Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski

What Remains Unclear: How the Rumble video platform and Northern Data will work together regarding development. RUM Group teased a release of those details in the near future.

What It Means: Rumble has been a strong player in the podcast space, especially with conservative news podcasts. Many in the format have been critical of YouTube’s content moderation in the past, making the move to Rumble. With the rise of AI-related businesses, it will be interesting to see how that new division is incorporated and used on the video platform.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Approaching the Summit: Mark Simone, 710 WOR

Garrett Searight
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Approaching the Summit: Mark Simone, 710 WOR

Approaching The Summit is a series of special interviews created in partnership with Point to Point Marketing featuring speakers at the upcoming 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit in New York City. Follow along with this series as prominent names surrounding the event June 30-July 2 share their insights and expectations for what’s to come in the big apple. The Summit takes place at the SVA Theatre on West 23rd Street. For tickets and hotel room reservations, click here or visit the Summit section at the top of the website.  

Garrett Searight: When you found out that you were receiving the Gold Standard in Broadcasting Award, what was your reaction? What went through your mind?

Mark Simone: I thought it was the greatest honor of all because Barrett is the gold standard of radio publications. Nobody covers the business better.

GS: When you look at the summit coming up, you’re going to be on stage again. You’ve been a regular for years. What is it about having the opportunity to share with the industry that entices you?

MS: It gets the biggest and best of the radio business and the broadcasting business together. Not just talk, but now sports and music. It’s the absolute best of the business and the smartest people we have. To hear all of them and mingle with them, it’s like a graduate course. It’s great every year.

GS: What are the things that you hope to share or discuss at the summit?

MS: There’s this crazy myth that radio is dying. That myth has been around since the 1940s. There are actually more people listening to radio today than 20 years ago. 159 million people every day. I hope we can get that across. Radio has a huge future, and you constantly need to tweak it. I hope we can all get together and figure that out, too.

GS: I’ve always appreciated listening to your show because it’s geared toward today’s radio audience. You’re not trying to stretch for 12 minutes just to get to the break. You’re hitting so many different topics. How important is it for the industry to hear that today, when nobody wants to hear someone drone on, trying to get to the next break?

MS: I think we’re supposed to break at 17 minutes after the hour. I’m lucky if I get there by :21 because I just don’t want to stop. It’s not about my opinions. It’s about giving listeners information, stories, and inside intel on things. We cover a lot of ground, and it’s not just politics. It’s everything. Sometimes I can’t get it all in. That’s why we started doing a bonus segment for the podcast listeners on the weekend, because we ended up with 50 things we never got to. We do them there.

GS: Why is it important for the radio industry to gather and share ideas in a setting like this?

MS: Like I said, you have the smartest broadcasting executives and the greatest air talent. We can all learn from each other. We all borrow from each other. Getting together is a lot like the developers’ conferences in the tech world. That’s what this is. It’s where we come up with ideas and move the business forward.

GS: When you approach being on stage, how much do you plan out what you want to share versus shooting from the hip?

MS: It may look like I’m shooting from the hip, but I do this all the time. I’m always in front of an audience speaking somewhere many days a week, so you hone the message. I know what I want to say when I get up there. Sometimes I just have some notes, keywords, and things to remember. When you see a speaker get up and pull out 16 pages of paper to read, you get a little nauseous. I never do that. No notes.

GS: Mark, congratulations again on the award. It’s much deserved.

MS: Oh, thanks a lot. I really appreciate it.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

NBA Deputy Commissioner Praises First Year Success Of New Media Rights Partners

John Mamola
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NBA Deputy Commissioner Praises First Year Success Of New Media Rights Partners

The NBA’s new 11-year media rights era opened with a resounding statement. Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum is crediting the league’s broadcast partners for driving a historic first season.

What We Know: The 2025-26 regular season averaged 1.78 million viewers across NBC, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and ESPN. That’s up 16% from last year and the most-watched season in seven years. Fans also watched more than 920 million hours of NBA content, up 25% and the most since 2011-12. The postseason sealed the story. The 2026 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs averaged 20.6 million viewers on ABC and ESPN. The most-watched NBA Finals in 28 years.

What They Said: (All quotes via CNBC Sport w/Alex Sherman)

NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum on the success of the league’s media partners in year one: “NBC and Amazon, specifically our newest partners have been incredible at telling stories. Telling the stories of players, and really celebrating the game of basketball. Educating some of our more casual fans of why they should follow and why they should watch. I think ABC and ESPN, who has returned as our partner, continues to do a wonderful job of that as well. They do a great job of cross-promoting these finals. It’s a combination of all those different partners who are doing a wonderful job of telling the great stories that are in the NBA today.”

NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum on talks with streaming partners for NBA Europe rights: “We’re having conversations with a ton of people. Including some of the big global streaming partners. There has been an incredible amount of inbound interest on taking those games and distributing them not only throughout Europe but globally. That’s what’s going to be so compelling about this. Just like the NBA is a North America-based product and league. However, it’s relevant and broadcast globally. We think we’re going to create that in Europe. Where it will be a European-based league, but there will be global interest here in North America, Asia and Africa. Given some of the brands, investors, and partners that we’re talking to, we have no doubt that it will create some global interest there. Therefore media partners are very interested in carrying that content.”

What Remains Unclear: The NBA has reportedly held conversations with Amazon and YouTube about broadcasting NBA Europe games. However, no deal has been reached. It also remains unclear whether streaming and content rights will complement or replace traditional media agreements in European markets. Furthermore, how the league structures global distribution — balancing domestic European broadcasters against streaming platforms — remains an open question heading into franchise selection.

What It Means: Year one validated the NBA’s shift from TNT Sports to NBC Sports and Amazon. The Finals surge — driven by the Knicks’ first title since 1973 — handed Tatum and Commissioner Adam Silver enormous negotiating leverage. Especially regarding anything regarding NBA Europe. Tatum has made clear the value of NBA Europe lies in its global appeal, not just its continental footprint. With a year under the Nielsen Big Data + Panel measurement, it will be interesting to see year over year comparisons for the 2026-2027 season.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

New Data: 61% Of Podcast Consumers Discover Their Favorite Shows Through YouTube, Social Media

John Mamola
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New Data: 61% Of Podcast Consumers Discover Their Favorite Shows Through YouTube, Social Media

YouTube and social media have become the dominant forces in podcast discovery. New research confirms that 61% of listeners found their favorite show through one of those two channels.

What We Know: Sounds Profitable and JAR Podcast Solutions released joint research examining how listeners discover, engage with, and recommend podcasts. YouTube leads all platforms — 40% of listeners discovered their favorite program there, more than double any other source. Additionally, 40% use YouTube as their primary listening platform, outpacing Spotify (18%) and Apple Podcasts (11%). Meanwhile, organic content drives discovery more than paid promotion. Among social media discoverers, 60% found shows through followed accounts, versus 33% through sponsored content. Discovery patterns also vary sharply by demographic. TikTok discovery is nearly seven times more common among listeners 18–34 than those 55 and older. Apple Podcasts browsing remains a key entry point for affluent, audio-first listeners in news and technology.

What The Data Shows: (via Sounds Profitable/JAR Podcast Solutions)

Sounds Profitable / JAT Podcast Solutions Research (https://soundsprofitable.com/research/the-podcast-discovery-playbook-2026/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=podnews.net%3A2026-06-19)
Sounds Profitable / JAT Podcast Solutions Research (https://soundsprofitable.com/research/the-podcast-discovery-playbook-2026/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=podnews.net%3A2026-06-19)

What They Said: Tom Webster, Partner at Sounds Profitable: “What this research makes clear is that discovery is happening where people already spend their time. YouTube, social feeds, search, and personal recommendations have become the front door to podcasting. If you’re relying primarily on trailers, chart positions, or cross-promotion within podcast apps, you’re missing where most new listeners are actually entering the medium.”

Roger Nairn, Co-Founder and CEO of JAR Podcast Solutions: “What excites us about these findings is that they give brands and creators a much clearer roadmap. The audience discovering podcasts on TikTok behaves differently than the audience discovering them through Apple Podcasts, YouTube search, or host recommendations. Understanding those differences allows marketers to build smarter strategies and invest in the channels that actually align with their goals.”

What Remains Unclear: Personal recommendations remain a powerful but underexamined discovery channel. Nearly two-thirds of listeners receive podcast recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues, and 72% say they are likely to act on them. However, the research does not clarify how personal recommendations interact with or amplify social media discovery. It also leaves open whether these behavioral trends differ across international markets.

What It Means: Creators and advertisers can no longer treat app-based discovery as their primary growth strategy. Instead, social-first content and platform-specific targeting have become essential. The data also signals opportunity for brands — brand-produced podcasts generated a 27-point net lift in trial intent overall. The other element to look it with this data is how low search and radio are for podcast discoverability among younger audiences. Radio still does well with the 55 and over crowd. However, it’s very low on the younger ends of the demos.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

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