Radio Firms to Test Listener E-Counting

Clear Channel Radio is joining three other radio station companies to test a rival approach to Arbitron Inc.’s electronic measurement system as the industry moves away from traditional paper logs to assess audience size.

The issue has gained new urgency after Arbitron on Thursday launched its own electronic system, dubbed Portable People Meter, and said it would stop using the paper diary method of tracking listeners in Houston beginning in July.

Clear Channel, the nation’s largest radio station owner, plans to announce today that it will join Cox Radio Inc., CBS Radio and Radio One Inc. in testing an electronic measurement system devised by the Media Audit and Ipsos, an international polling and market research firm.