Arbitron will delay reporting satellite radio and internet radio listening in its syndicated surveys to Summer 2006, at the earliest, reports Billboard Radio Monitor (via MediaBuyerPlanner).
The ratings firm originally planned to report satellite listening to individual channels beginning with the Fall 2005 survey but fell under increased pressure from broadcasters.
Broadcasters wanted testing of the new diary instructions that would tell radio survey participants to record listening to internet and/or satellite radio in addition to over-the-air radio.
Current diaries are likely underreporting satellite radio listening. Though more than 3 percent of the population now subscribes to satellite radio, only about 1.5 percent of diaries mention it.