Arbitron’s Portable People Meter (PPM) is providing a barometer on how Philadelphians are listening to radio during the Iraq crisis.

Arbitron has added a new section on its Web site (see below) to offer ‘up-to-the-minute’ news on radio listening and how it is impacted by current events.

The type of information currently found on the PPM Dailies Website includes:

* There was considerably more radio listening on March 17 and 18 than the average, particularly during work hours for Persons 25-54.

* When there’s an issue to be talked about, people turn to talk radio. The Howard Stern Show drew higher numbers than average both the day of President Bush’s March 17 ultimatum speech and the day after, March 18

* The Average Quarter-Hour (AQH) ratings for all radio listening sustained an average increase for the combined ratings of March 17, 18, and 19.

Away-from-home listening, as measured by the PPM, also shows more of an increase.

Information on the Web site will be updated regularly. Beginning the week of April 7, Arbitron will offer a more in-depth examination of the back data from the PPM Philadelphia market trial.