Arbitron
The company that records approximately how many listeners a given
station reaches. To obtain the data, Arbitron asks a sample population of
the country to record their radio listening habits in a diary. The results are
then applied to the general population. Arbitron ratings help stations set
their rates, which are generally reflective of a station's reach.
Affidavit
A written confirmation from a broadcaster that confirms the actual date
and time that a commercial ran. In order to collect funds, broadcasters
provide proof that what was ordered actually ran and at what time/date.
Average Quarter Hour (AQH)
The number of listeners tuning into a radio station for at least five minutes,
in an average fifteen minutes (quarter-hour) during the reported time period.
Broadcast Week
The standard weekly start and end days for an advertising campaign. A broadcast week always begins on Monday and ends on the following Sunday.
Cost per 1,000 listeners/households (CPM)
The cost per 1,000 listeners/households delivered by a broadcaster. For
example, if a radio advertiser specifies a target audience of Adults,
Age 25-54 with a Maximum CPM of $20 in a Bid4Spots auction, the radio
station cannot charge more than $20 per 1,000 adult listeners, age 25-54.
Cost per Rating Point (CPP)
CPP is determined by dividing the cost of an advertising schedule by the number of rating points.
Cume
The estimated number of people who listened to a radio station at home or away for a minimum of five minutes in a quarter hour within a given daypart.
Designated Market Area (DMA)
A designated market area for a broadcaster. The area includes all
locations within the strength of the signal. The larger the city, the higher
the DMA rank. DMA size is determined by a proprietary formula that
combines population size with purchasing power.
Daypart
Time segments that divide the 24-hour day for programming.
Daypart hours are fairly standard. All broadcasters
divide their 24-hour broadcast days into the following dayparts:

Radio

  • Morning Drive (6 a.m. - 10 a.m.)
  • Midday (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
  • Afternoon Drive (3 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
  • Evening (7 p.m. - Midnight)
  • Overnight (Midnight - 6 a.m.)

Cable TV

  • Morning Drive (5 AM - 9 AM)
  • Daytime (9 AM - 4 PM)
  • Access (4 PM – 7 PM)
  • Prime(7 PM - Midnight)
  • Overnight (Midnight – 5 AM)

 
Demographic
This is a breakdown of audience by age and gender.
Formats
The type of programming as classified by Arbitron (e.g., Talk, News, Country,
Classical, etc.).
Frequency
Average absolute number of times an unduplicated audience viewed or listened
to an advertising schedule.
Gross Rating Point (GRP)
The total number of duplicated households or person rating points
generated by a given advertising schedule.
Impressions
The sum of all advertising exposures expressed in number of homes
or individuals rather than a percentage.
Market
The city, town or region in which the majority of the broadcaster’s
audience resides.
Metro Survey Area (MSA)
A Metropolitan Area includes a city (or cities) whose population is specified
as that of the central city together with the county or counties in which it is located.
Network
The most common term for a television channel available via cable
or satellite television (e.g., ESPN, Lifetime, MSNBC, etc.).
Radio Spots
Pre-produced commercials recorded by an advertiser.
Reverse Auction
An auction where sellers (broadcasters) bid for the buyers' (advertisers) business
and the lowest price (CPM) wins.
Spot Length
This is the duration of the commercial (Typically 30 or 60 seconds).
Traffic Instructions
Written instructions given to a broadcaster on how commercials are
to be inserted (including commercial title, days, times and rotation).