MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT

Arbitron Drops Plan for Rival TV Ratings Service: Arbitron Co. canceled plans to launch a new national TV ratings service, ending a four-year effort to mount a challenge to the long-dominant network audience counter A. C. Nielsen. Arbitron said there was insufficient financial support from advertisers and the TV networks for its national service. The service would have offered customers information on who watches particular shows and what they buy. The decision leaves intact Nielsen’s virtual monopoly on supplying national ratings that advertisers will use this year in buying nearly $11 billion in commercial time.