Nielsen to Buy Arbitron for $1.26 Billion

Nielsen Holdings said on Tuesday that it had agreed to acquire Arbitron, the radio ratings company, for $1.26 billion.

The offer of $48 a share in cash for each outstanding share of Arbitron represents a premium of 26 percent to Arbitron’s closing price on Monday.

The deal will unite two of the best-known measurement companies in the television and radio industries. More than 50 years after their creation, the Nielsen ratings still help determine the fate of many American TV shows. And Arbitron has been one of the top radio ratings watchers for decades.

The two companies have combined revenue of $6 billion and an annual profit of about $346 million.

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/12/18/nielsen-to-buy-arbitron-for-1-26-billion/?nl=business&emc=edit_dlbkam_20121218