Free To Be Three: In a letter to clients obtained by Country Aircheck, Nielsen has detailed updates to PPM methodology taking effect with the January 2025 survey, which starts Jan. 9. Qualifying for listening credit will decrease from five minutes per quarter hour to three. Nielsen estimates 45% of PPM listening occasions are currently shorter than five minutes and the change will lead to market-level AQH audience growth of 24% across all PPM markets. Additionally, the company says the move will "allow broadcasters to experiment with the length, quantity and placement of commercial stop sets to maximize tune-in." Diary markets will continue with the five-minute threshold as few diaries contain listening occasions shorter than five minutes.