• The Wall Street Journal, Wednesday, November 19, 2008 9:15 AM

The pressure on Arbitron has jumped from the state level to the federal level as an FCC commissioner called Tuesday for an FCC investigation of Arbitron Inc.'s new electronic radio-ratings system. Democratic commissioner Jonathan Adelstein asked current FCC Chairman Kevin Martin to open a formal investigation into the Arbitron system.

The move makes it more likely that the Feds will look into the matter by early next year. Attorneys general in New York and New Jersey are already investigating Arbitron's rating system. Minority broadcasters and interest groups say Arbitron's Portable People Meter system significantly undercounts minority listenership.

For its part, Arbitron does not believe that the FCC has jurisdiction over it. The commission "lacks the authority to launch an investigation," says a company rep.

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