-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 T6ynzRRUEPgCDDotleEMyvBNIrWD0q3fRPnwhlHGhg+TK5VvJC6GJMujG1Ul2KhI
 3Km6nE/yErQnFinuyOuKag==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-10-028712.txt : 20100707
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-10-028712.hdr.sgml : 20100707
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100707163312
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-10-028712
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100702
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100707
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100707

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Abrams David C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001292250

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-01969
		FILM NUMBER:		10942249

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		222 BERKELEY STREET, 22ND FLOOR
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02116

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ARBITRON INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000109758
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-ENGINEERING, ACCOUNTING, RESEARCH, MANAGEMENT [8700]
		IRS NUMBER:				520278528
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9705 PATUXENT WOODS DRIVE
		CITY:			COLUMBIA
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21046
		BUSINESS PHONE:		410-312-8000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9705 PATUXENT WOODS DRIVE
		CITY:			COLUMBIA
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21046

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CERIDIAN CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920901

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CONTROL DATA CORP /DE/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	COMMERCIAL CREDIT CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19680910

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ABRAMS CAPITAL LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001112443
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-01969
		FILM NUMBER:		10942250

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		222 BERKELEY ST. 22ND FLOOR
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02116
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6176466100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		222 BERKELEY ST. 22ND FLOOR
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02116

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PAMET CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001165407
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-01969
		FILM NUMBER:		10942251

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		222 BERKELEY STREET, 22ND FLOOR
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02116
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6176466100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		222 BERKELEY STREET, 22ND FLOOR
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02116

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PAMET CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001358706
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-01969
		FILM NUMBER:		10942252

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		222 BERKELEY STREET, 22ND FLOOR
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02116
		BUSINESS PHONE:		617-646-6100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		222 BERKELEY STREET, 22ND FLOOR
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02116
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-07-02</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000109758</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ARBITRON INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ARB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001358706</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PAMET CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>222 BERKELEY STREET, 22ND FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02116</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001165407</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PAMET CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>222 BERKELEY STREET, 22ND FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02116</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001112443</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ABRAMS CAPITAL LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>222 BERKELEY STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>22ND FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02116</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001292250</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Abrams David C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>222 BERKELEY STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>22ND FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02116</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-07-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1.337</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>25.10</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3209046</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">A portion of these securities are held by investment funds, the managing member, general partner and/or investment adviser of which is directly or indirectly controlled by
David C. Abrams. In such capacity, Mr. Abrams may be deemed to beneficially own the reported securities.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">A portion of these securities are held by investment funds for which Pamet Capital Management, L.P. (the &quot;LP&quot;) serves as investment adviser. Pamet Capital Management, LLC
(the &quot;LLC&quot;) serves as the general partner of the LP. In their respective capacities, each of the LP and the LLC may be deemed to beneficially own the reported securities.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">A portion of these securities are held by investment funds for which Abrams Capital, LLC (&quot;Abrams Capital&quot;) serves as general partner. In such capacity, Abrams Capital, may
be deemed to beneficially own the reported securities.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Each Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein, and the inclusion of such securities in this
report shall not be deemed an admission of beneficial ownership for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Abrams Capital may be deemed to beneficially own 2,993,634 shares of Common Stock. Mr. Abrams, the LP and the LLC be deemed to beneficially own 3,209,046 shares of
Common Stock.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Pamet Capital Management, L.P., by Pamet Capital Management, LLC, the general partner, by David C. Abrams, Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-07-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Pamet Capital Management, LLC, by David C. Abrams, Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-07-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Abrams Capital, LLC, by David C. Abrams, Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-07-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ David C. Abrams</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-07-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----