I’ve just found this technology, called Portable People Meter System by Arbitron, allowing podcasters, radio and TV broadcasters to track consumer exposure, identification codes and motion data.

A Personal Meter is given to each member of the household six years old or older. They have to wear or keep it near them wherever they go. This device picks up a special silent signal broadcast in the podcast.

On the evening before going to bed, the unit is placed in the Personal Meter Recharging Unit to recharge the battery and collect listening and viewing information. This unit also sends information such as how many hours the owner wore the Personal Meter to decide how many points he/she has collected. Points can be redeemed as cash.

The Collector Unit connects to Arbitron’s main collection computer through a special toll-free telephone line. The process takes a few seconds late at night.

First of all, I seriously doubt this technology is affordable for small business owners who publish podcasts to specific niche market. The technology itself is so interesting that I decided to blog about it.

The Personal Meter has to be distributed to the audience, then each podcast file have to be encoded using either Analog Encoder, Digital Encoder, or SDI Encoder at the distribution level.

Overall, if implemented properly, Portable People Meter System should be able to collect a wide sample of audience behavior and lifestyle information, which is very important metrics for consumer research.

Link: Arbitron’s Portable People Meter.

Also see: podcast statistics and podcast advertising.

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