ACNielsen wins TV contract in Australia

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