Truce called in Singapore ratings data war

SINGAPORE - After nearly a year, the standoff between TNS and the 4As over data fees has finally ended with media agencies agreeing to pay for TV ratings data supplied by TNS.

The heated debate began in March this year, when the 4As media committee refused to pay for TNS' services, which had been provided free since 2000.

MediaCorp, Singapore's only terrestrial broadcaster, intervened to mediate the dispute.

"We are happy to have received endorsement from the 4As on the new fee proposal to the agencies," said Edwin Koh, MediaCorp TV's SVP of airtime sales and marketing.

"Moving forward, we hope to work even closer with the agencies in exploring opportunities and providing what's best for our advertisers."