Nielsen buys Arbitron

MEASURE FOR MEASURE: Nielsen has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Arbitron, purchasing all of the company’s outstanding common stock for $48 per share in cash, the newlyweds jointly announced in a sexually charged press release. That price represents a 26% premium to Arbitron’s closing price yesterday. Said Nielsen CEO David Calhoun: “U.S. consumers spend almost two hours a day with radio. It is and will continue to be a vibrant and important advertising medium. Arbitron will help Nielsen better solve for unmeasured areas of media consumption, including streaming audio and out-of-home.” Added Arbitron topper William Kerr: “By combining Nielsen’s global capabilities and scale with Arbitron’s unique radio measurement and listening information, advertisers and media clients will have better insights into consumer behavior and the return on marketing investments.” It’s comforting to know that big brother is watching our every move more closely than ever. (12/18a)