A content monitoring system having a vehicle content module for monitoring the use of a content player in a vehicle. The vehicle module includes an interface to a data communications network of the vehicle and a data collector for monitoring data on the data communications network to access in real time player data representing use of the player. The content can include self-loaded content, such as that of a CD, DVD, an ipod, and an mp3 file and broadcast content, such as that of an FM radio broadcast. The content monitoring system also includes a transmission module for transmitting the player data from the vehicle and a server system including an analysis module for receiving and processing the player data from the data collector to generate content usage report data, e.g. representing an audience or ratings survey.