Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS), which holds the ratings contract for MediaCorp, and Nielsen Media Research (NMR) which provides the same service for MediaWorks, are now awaiting results of proposals sent to each broadcaster for the 2006 service renewal. According to TNS regional director of media, Phillip Jones, it had become apparent before the merger that a single system would be adopted. "It was neither financially or operationally beneficial to continue with two separate services."
NMR declined comment.
The roll-back of Singapore's much-touted liberalisation initative will see the formation of a new TV company - MediaCorp TV Holdings - which will be 80 per cent owned by MediaCorp and 20 per cent by SPH. The new company will comprise MediaCorp's TV channels and previous MediaWorks' channel, Channel U. The broadcasters are also reviewing the commercial viability of MediaWorks' other offering, Channel i. Media agencies welcomed the switch to a single system. "There's been too much duplication and it doesn't make any sense at all," said MEC Singapore managing director Bertilla Teo.
