Story Created:
Aug 21, 2008 at 5:06 PM EST
Story Updated:
Aug 21, 2008 at 7:09 PM EST
Weeks ago ABC 6 reported that Arbitron, the company that tracks ratings by sending out diaries to random households, was saying that something wasn't quite adding up with their spring numbers.
They ended up throwing out the information from 6 ratings diaries, which all came from the same household. They said that those diaries would not be included in their final numbers because they all came from a house that had some connection to local radio or TV. This caused WPRO-AM's ranking to significantly drop after Arbitron re-released their numbers days later.
WPRO competitor WHJJ originally made the claim that the home was located in East Greenwich, the same town where WPRO-AM morning drive host, John DePetro lives. WHJJ said the numbers reflected that 6 people from that house listened to DePetro's show for more than 109 hours out of a possible 120, just in one week alone.
And now, late Thursday, WPRO released the following statement concerning the scandal:
The media related diaries that affected WPRO AM in the Spring Arbitron rating period were returned by the wife of WPRO AM’s morning host John De Petro. John states that he did not have knowledge of her actions.
“WPRO AM Program Director Paul Giammarco and I are profoundly disappointed by John’s wife’s actions,” Citadel Broadcasting Market Manager Barbara Haynes said.
The corrected Spring Arbitron Ratings Survey was released on Monday, August 11, 2008 . The audience measurement of WPRO AM and all Providence radio stations are now confirmed to be accurate by Arbitron. WPRO AM’s John DePetro and the morning news is the most listened to morning show in total audience 12+, Monday-Friday 6A-10A. WPRO AM is tied for #2 in 12+ total weekly audience, Monday – Sunday 6A-12M.
Barbara Haynes, Market Manager
Paul Giammarco, Program Director, 630 WPRO & 99.7FM
We will have more information regarding this developing news coming up on ABC 6 News at 11 pm...
Friday, Sep 5 at 8:38 AM Sweet_T wrote ...
I'm not surprised.
Sunday, Aug 24 at 5:05 AM Ed wrote ...
If his wife is a public school teacher, I defintinely would not put her past this! Thet both need to be charged with fraud and proscuted. If she is a public school teacher they could never get rid of her. Who would want to have their kids taught by a woman like her.
Saturday, Aug 23 at 6:30 AM Mike in EG wrote ...
John Depetro's wife is a stand up person. Does a lot of good work with and for the schools in EG. There is no way that she did this. She's a good woman, taking the fall for her man. You go Tammy Wynette! She'll wise up and drop a dime on him. She and WPRO should toss him out for this. His ratings suck because Imus is on during his time anyhow. WPRO needs to man up on this or they'll lose any credibility that they have left.
Saturday, Aug 23 at 12:16 AM Ed wrote ...
Hiding behind his wifes apron strings!
Friday, Aug 22 at 9:12 PM Dan in Holbrook wrote ...
The next step is for someone to interview Mrs. DePetro. I filled out a Nielsen diary once - it was one diary but I kept track of the viewing habits of 4 different people. I doubt John DePetro did this because media people know how taboo it is to tamper with the ratings system.
Friday, Aug 22 at 8:55 PM Anonymous wrote ...
I am responding to Lester who said give Jim Hummel the spot and watch the ratings soar. Isn't it coincidental that Jim Hummel stepped down just about when this broke out in the news? He is as guilty as John in my opinion and that will soon come out. He was probably asked to do a report on it and refused because John is his friend and because he knew all about it.
Friday, Aug 22 at 12:28 PM Frank wrote ...
His wife did it.Should of said my dog did it. He should be fired.
Friday, Aug 22 at 9:29 AM John DiPietro wrote ...
Pls note that the JD in this case IS NOT ME. Having spent 20 years in radio in the Worcester/Boston market, I am being confused with the "other" JD. I am NOT the same person. www.johndipietro.typepad.com JOHN DIPIETRO
Friday, Aug 22 at 8:47 AM Stan from Warwick wrote ...
If WPRO wants to ever have credibility at any level, he needs to go!
Friday, Aug 22 at 8:08 AM Lester wrote ...
He's tainted goods with no credibility and needs to go. Give Jim Hummel that spot or Arlene and watch the ratings soar without cooking the books!
Friday, Aug 22 at 8:04 AM Steve wrote ...
Why is John wife the scapegoat? Depetro needs to step up and be a man
Friday, Aug 22 at 7:24 AM george wrote ...
So let me get this straight a big stack of diaries comes in and in the Depetro house only the wife looks at the mail. Seems very fishy, in my house if mails comes in, I look at it. It seems a scandal in Boston was first and now a scandal in Rhode Island. Pretty consistent theme.
Friday, Aug 22 at 6:58 AM Mike wrote ...
Just got off the phone with WPRO sales office. Just cancelled my new ad spot with them. Wanted to move my ad to Buddy's time slot, not many slots's left because other vendor's are taking their ads off Depeto's show
Friday, Aug 22 at 6:53 AM Time Slot Buyer (ads) wrote ...
If John does not go, MY MONEY WILL GO.
Friday, Aug 22 at 6:50 AM Richard wrote ...
WPRO should sept up to the plate and FIRE Depetro, just like radio station in Boston did. Blaming it on his WIFE "WOW" I would love having a "MAN"? like him working for me.
Friday, Aug 22 at 1:28 AM Peter in Pawtucket wrote ...
His wife got her hands on 1 diary that was sent to her via pre-screening done by the ratings company. It's how the process works. They also ask who lives in said household in order to potentially more than one diarykeeper to help strengthen the results of the overall survey. She lied about how many people lived in the house in advance, then returned the diary with the tainted info. After the ratings abnormality was noticed, the research done was able to find this diary, hence the end result.
Thursday, Aug 21 at 10:13 PM Matt from Warwick wrote ...
Fire him. He is constantly exposing other people for this and that.......well now the shoe is on the other foot.
Thursday, Aug 21 at 10:06 PM Geoff wrote ...
WHO CARES!? There are more important things going on in the state!
Thursday, Aug 21 at 8:53 PM Rudy from Warwick wrote ...
Nice example for your children, John... Here, kids, watch how Daddy and Mommy lie and cheat to get ahead... WPRO... Rhode Island's Scratched Station of Record... Salty Brine cries tonight...
Thursday, Aug 21 at 8:37 PM Joe-Pawtucket wrote ...
Did I miss somewhere how DePetro's "wife" got her hands on 6 Arbitron Diaries?
Thursday, Aug 21 at 8:35 PM Pat wrote ...
WPRO will never be taken seriously unless the fire De Petro. If I were an advertiser I'd be asking for a rebate immediately.
Thursday, Aug 21 at 8:06 PM Eddie Coventry wrote ...
Depetro dug his own grave. He can't stay out of trouble. I don't have a problem with WPRO, but I certainly will think twice about doing any business with them. Lose this guy. he is trouble.
Thursday, Aug 21 at 7:15 PM Woe is me for Johnny D wrote ...
He absolutely knew. After dogging all these quintessential RI crooks, he turns out to be one himself too. -Jim in North Kingstown
Thursday, Aug 21 at 7:04 PM John from East Greenwich wrote ...
Hey, honey, this job is more important than your reputation as a human being.. here, fall on the dagger for me... thanks!
Thursday, Aug 21 at 6:37 PM Annie from Brockton,Ma. wrote ...
I bet John didn't know that his wife did that.She probably was just trying to help but it has certainly back fired.She was so wrong but I would say as a woman...she did it because she loves him. Will John get fired?I hope not!
Thursday, Aug 21 at 6:21 PM George wrote ...
If the Governor can play dumb about issues why not a DJ too?
Thursday, Aug 21 at 5:55 PM Chris in the car wrote ...
There is no way Depetro did not have knowledge of what his wife did. He should be fired immediately
Thursday, Aug 21 at 5:46 PM mikerk52@aim.com wrote ...
Woops............Mike In North Kingstown...
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