Arbitron loses bid to block lawsuit
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Arbitron Inc., the provider of radio-station ratings based on audience size, must defend a lawsuit by New York Atty. Gen. Andrew Cuomo over a new method for estimating the number of listeners, a federal judge ruled.
Arbitron on Oct. 6 asked the judge to block any restraint on its electronic “portable people meter,” after Cuomo sent the company a letter saying the system might contain design flaws that would cause minority communities, broadcasters and businesses to be under-represented.
Cuomo sued Arbitron four days later. U.S. District Judge Denise Cote said Cuomo could proceed with the state lawsuit.
He has accused the company of violating civil rights and using deceptive practices.