Nielsen and Networks…still an item.

Posted by Cheryl on Dec 1st, 2009 | one comment home title

The two parties in what is, arguably, the longest long-term television relationship just renewed their vows! Nielsen, the source for TV ratings since 1950, announced today that by August 31, 2010 it will add an online component to its national television ratings sample. This initiative (called TVandPC*), originally slated for 2011, was pushed up due to pressure from networks who would like the Internet views of their content (and advertising) to be counted. The move was likely also influenced by the September announcement of the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM), a venture by 14 leading TV content providers to “promote innovation in audience measurement for Television and cross-platform media.” Its founders were careful to frame the CIMM as supplement to Nielsen and not an replacement, but they were basically saying: “You’re not measuring the ways people actually watch our shows, so we will!”

Allow me to translate into LTR-TV terms:

As they approached their 50th anniversary with Nielsen (their Golden anniversary, in case you’re shopping for gifts), the frustrated networks realized that their needs were not being met by their longtime partner. The networks continued to express their dissatisfaction with their current situation; that their relationship had changed in ways they never could have foreseen. The networks began exploring the idea of an open relationship. Nielsen finally got the message and is now doing everything it can to remain monogamous.

Yes, it all comes back to relationships…television relationships.

__________________________________________________________

* Last time I checked, Nielsen only measured online viewing on PCs and NOT ON MACs. I’m guessing this will still be the case for TVandPC, but that’s another post for another day.

One Response home title