TNS, 4As lock horns over Singapore ratings fee

Singapore's 4As president Anthony Kang has confirmed that the organisation's media agencies are unwilling to accede to current TNS demands regarding payment for the provision of terrestrial TV ratings data. <BR><BR> According to Kang, the data will cost on average S$40,000 per year, depending on agency size, but agencies were not consulted over the proposed charges or methodology. The data was previously provided to agencies free of charge, due to the presence of competing ratings from SPH Mediaworks via Nielsen. <BR><BR> Following the merger of MediaCorp and Mediaworks, and the subsequent consolidation of the ratings contract with TNS, the research house is looking for agencies to assume "10-15% of the cost of the service," according to TNS MD Philip Jones. "Without (the agencies) contributing, obviously the agencies would not have access to the data," said Jones. <BR><BR> Kang, meanwhile, said: "The 4As media subcommittee will decide whether to boycott the data unless TNS lowers the fee. Between the three parties we should sit down and come to a compromise for this year."