Question 1 - What does Bridge Ratings do?

Answer - Bridge Ratings researches the media behavior of consumers across the United States in markets of all sizes. Media behavior is tied to traditional radio as well as satellite radio, Internet radio, and other digital media such as MP3 players and podcasts.

The company's clients include operators of traditional radio stations seeking to better understand their audiences and how technology may be impacting listening behavior. Other clientel include telecommunications companies, satellite radio companies, investment firms seeking to confirm 'street' rumor, universities and non-media companies that have a need to track consumers. In a phrase, Bridge Ratings enables our clients to Navigate the Future(tm).

Bridge Ratings also provides audience behavioral insight so our clients know the "why" and the "what" of radio audience behavior . Our audience attrition studies have been instrumental in the industry's awareness of audience behavior with regard to commercial spot loads.

In recent months, Bridge Ratings has revealed future projections of media use based on consumer use and intent.

Question 2 - Does Bridge Ratings Predict the Future?

Answer -No serious futurist deals with "predictions". These are left for television oracles and newspaper astrologers. No one even faintly familiar with the complexities of forecasting lays claim to absolute knowledge of tomorrow. This means that every statement about the future ought to be accompanied by a string of qualifiers - ifs, ands, buts, and on-the-other-hands.

The estimates researched and published by Bridge Ratings should be taken with this consideration. As a company that deals in maybes and future behaviors we trust that our clients and readers of our reports will understand that the word "will" should always be read as though it were preceded by "probably" or "in our estimate". It should also be understood that between today and that far distant future consumer behavior may and in all likelihood be changed by any number of things including consumer "free will" and technologies that have not been heretofore introduced into the public psyche.

Question 3 - What was the reason for starting Bridge Ratings?

Answer - We believe there has been a need for a more accurate media consumer behavior measurement which can provide behavioral data in a timely fashion. We seek to be the company that will provide a media consumer behavor measurement product that can be trusted and viewed as reliable.

We have since learned that there is a dearth of knowledge available to broadcasters and media companies related to their audiences' current media usage and their future intent and how this will impact the value of traditional radio into the future.

Question 3 - What product/service does Bridge Ratings provide?

Answer - Weekly, monthly and quarterly audience measurement with our full-scale Bridge Ratings Reports, the quick-look market overview with Market Snapshot and timely quantitative information with InstaQ. In 2005, Bridge Ratings introduced on-line music testing.

The company also provides a variety of behavioral studies which provide clarity for broadcasters regarding their consumers' interest in alternative new media as well as traditional radio.

Question 4 - Can you list a few unique benefits of your product?

Answer -   

1. Our consumer research is based on sound research principles and is a far more reliable predictor of current and future behavior.  
2. Ours are the only weekly and monthly consumer and radio listening tracking services available.
3. Our services/products are reasonably priced.
4. Results are delivered within 72 hours of each week's final interviews.

Question 5 - Does Bridge Ratings offer products other than audience ratings?

Answer - Bridge Ratings' chiefly provides reliable, frequent and affordable audience measurement. We utilize our industry expertise and research capabilities to also provide quantitative, active sales solution. To learn more, contact us today.

Question 6 - What is Bridge Ratings' methodology?

Answer - Bridge Ratings uses a random digit dialing telephone methodology that starts with samples derived at the zip code level. This results in more balanced and representative geographic and demographic audience levels. On average, 70% of our calls result in completed interviews.

Question 7 - Do Bridge Ratings' reports have sales capabilities?

Answer - Because Bridge Ratings does not measure average quarter hour or time-spent-listening, advertising agencies may not feel comfortable with our advanced measurement results. However, well-trained sales personnel can use Bridge Ratings information to represent objective market measurement to logically show station improvement in advance of Arbitron results which can be reflective of listening up to six months old.

Queston 8 - Why doesn't Bridge Ratings measure Average Quarter Hour estimates?

Answer - Bridge Ratings' results are based on solid research principles. Average quarter hour has been shown to be an extrapolation of listening. It is calculated as a function of listener estimates of the length of their listening occasions multiplied by the station's estimated cume. Bridge Ratings pledges to deliver the most accurate numbers in audience measurement. Therefore, no average quarter hour estimates are provided. We provide Cume Share and Favoriteness data.

Cume share is the station's cume audience as a percentage of all persons listening to radio for a specific day part.

Favoriteness is determined by asking listeners "Of the stations you listened to this week, which one station would you say is your favorite - the one you listen to most?