ACNielsen has secured the national television audience measurement
contract for the Australian pay TV industry from January 1, next
year.
The win is a vote of confidence for the research house, which has come
under fierce competitive pressure in Asia-Pacific over the past 18
months.
In China, for instance, its television measurement service is being
challenged by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS).
In June, TNS beat out incumbent ACNielsen to win the Media Corporation
of Singapore TV audience measurement.
The contract in Australia is effective for two years.
The decision to appoint ACNielsen was made jointly by Austar, Foxtel and
Optus Television in conjunction with individual pay TV channels, and it
renews ACNielsen's current audience measurement contract with the
television industry, which ends on December 31 this year.
Mr Ian Garland, managing director of ACNielsen Media International in
Australia, said he was delighted with the decision that would see a far
more comprehensive service being provided.
"The service will cover TV ratings and other research requirements that
will greatly assist pay TV's development going forward.
"It is designed to be complementary to the OzTAMservice that will start
next year."
Mr Garland added that the winning of the contract represented a strong
vote of confidence in ACNielsen's global audience measurement systems
methodologies and expertise.
"The new agreement with ACNielsen will ensure continuity of a reliable
and independent national audience measurement service and provide the
industry with an even greater level of information on viewing behaviour
and audience composition," said Leigh Monti, the CEO of MCN which sells
advertising on behalf of channels provided by Austar and Foxtel.
