Arbitron Gets Key Support From MRC…

Thursday, July, 2, 2009 by Mel Phillips.

(Extended July 4th Edition)

The Media Rating Council (MRC) has joined the fray in defense of Arbitron.  MRC filed a 73-page document taking a strong stand with a claim that the Federal Communications Commission is not qualified to handle a review of the measurement company’s Portable People Meter (PPM) service.  In his filing, MRC CEO George Ivie says that it would be “difficult if not impossible” for any other agency to complete a probe or review…

There’s history behind Ivie’s claim.  Both the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice approved MRC’s code of conduct by reaffirming the Council’s mission and role when it comes to overseeing measurement services.  While the FTC action took place in 2005, the DOJ gave its support to the Media Rating Council as recent as April, 2009…

If both government agencies already voiced support of the MRC role of overseer of all measurement services, it is wrong for the FCC to buckle to pressure from a few broadcasting groups to review one of those measurement services, in this case Arbitron, that the MRC has under its purview.  It took guts for the MRC to stand up for Arbitron.  They should be applauded for doing so…   

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1776]  The Birth of a nation: The Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence (7/4)…
2. 1933]  The first All-Star Game: It’s played in Chicago at Comiskey Park.  The American League won that game too, 4-2 (7/6)…
3. 1937] Poof: Aviator Amelia Earhart and her navigator disappear over the Pacific Ocean near the equator while attempting the 1st round-the world flight (7/2)…
4. 1939]  The luckiest man: Lou Gehrig gives his touching farewell speech in front of a packed (61,800) Yankee Stadium (7/4).  Afflicted with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the fatal disease that will bear his name, the Iron Man retires…
5. 1947]  Breaking the color barrier: Larry Doby becomes the American League’s first black player when he strikes out in a pinch-hitting role for the Cleveland Indians (7/5)…
6. 1964]  Civility rules: President Lyndon B. Johnson signs into law, a sweeping civil rights bill (7/2)…
7. 1969]  Rock and Roll tragedies: 27-year old Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones is found at the bottom of a swimming pool (7/3)…1971] Jim Morrison, 27, lead singer of The Doors is found dead in a bathtub in Paris (7/3).  Morrison died of heart failure, likely caused by a drug overdose…
8. 1978]  “Seven dirty words“: The Supreme Court rules 5-4 that the FCC has the right to reprimand WBAI New York for broadcasting George Carlin’s “filthy words” which would become known as “seven dirty words” (7/3)…
9. 2002]  Bye, bye, number nine: After a lengthy illness, Baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams dies at 83 (7/5)…
10. 2005]  Terror in the Underground: Terrorist bombings in 3 Underground stations and a double-decker bus kill 52 victims and 4 suicide bombers in the worst attack on London since WWII (7/7)…

Memories:

Music Memories: 

• 1954]  Elvis debut: WHBQ Memphis DJ Dewey Phillips plays “That’s All Right” on his show (7/7).  It’s the first Elvis record ever played…
• 1955] Start-uh the bubble machine-uh: “The Lawrence Welk Show” premieres on ABC-TV (7/7). It will run for 16 years and then forever in rerun. If we turn on our TV when we take our last breath we’ll see Lawrence Welk holding his baton…
• 1963]  Number One on this date: “Easier Said Than Done” - Essex (7/6)…1966] “Windy” - Association (7/7)…1967] “Light My Fire” - The Doors (7/7)…1976] “Silly Love Songs” - Wings (7/7)…
• 2005]  Live 8: A marathon concert designed to pressure world leaders into fighting African poverty is held at 10 sites worldwide and broadcast around the globe on TV and the Internet.  Paul McCartney & U2 performed together…

Commentary:

Oscar winning actor Karl Malden left a legacy of great roles behind when he passed away yesterday at 97.  Movies, TV and pitchman — whatever part he played, he played it better than anyone in Hollywood.  R.I.P. Karl Malden…

 “Happy Birthday…happy birthday“: (7/2) Lindsay Lohan (23), Michelle Branch (26), Troy Brown (38), Jerry Hall (53), Larry David (62), Polly (”Alice“) Holliday (72), Richard Petty (72), and Imelda (”Shoes”) Marcos (80)…(7/3) Tom Cruise (47),Montel Williams (53), Fontella Bass (69) and Pete Fountain (79)…(7/4)  Geraldo Rivera (66), Bill Withers (71), George Steinbrenner (79), Neil Simon (82), Gina Lollobrigida (82), Eva Marie Saint (85), Mitch Miller (98) and the U.S.A. (233)…(7/5)  Edie Falco (46), Huey Lewis (59), and Robbie Robertson (66)…(7/6)  Willie Randolph (55), Sylvester Stallone (63), George W. Bush (63), Burt Ward (64), Gene “Duke of Earl” Chandler (72), Della Reese (78) and Nancy Reagan (88)…(7/7) Michelle Kwan (29), Jessica Hahn (50), Shelley Duvall (60), Ringo Starr (69), Doc Severinsen (82) and Pierre Cardin (87)…

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