Nielsen Expands PPM Technology to 44 TV Markets

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 29, 2016

Nielsen has announced that will expand the use of its Portable People Meter (PPM) technology -- previously used only for radio measuremnt by Nielsen Audio -- to provide direct persons measurement for Local TV ratings. The addition of PPM panelists to Local TV service will effectively double the sample size and provide local clients with ratings that better reflect precise measurement of local viewing behaviors and insights. Nielsen will begin to introduce PPM measurement for in-home and out-of-home viewing in 2017.

"As part of our overall local market enhancement measurement strategy, Nielsen is maximizing the strengths of various data sets, including PPM data and Return Path Data, to help our local clients understand their total audience by capturing all sources of viewing. Additionally, we are providing them with the tools needed to maximize their audience and grow their business," said Nielsen Product Leadership President Megan Clarken. "The media industry is in the midst of an important transition and people have endless options for viewing their favorite content. We are the only measurement provider that can directly measure the out-of-home television audience."

Additionally, in the first quarter of 2017, Nielsen will release a stand-alone service that gives local clients in the 44 DMAs the ability to see incremental audience provided by out-of-home viewing. The portability of the PPM technology will measure TV viewing in locations including bars, offices, hotel rooms, and other places outside of the home where TV is watched. Impact data for out-of-home measurement combined with PPM measurement of in-home viewing is expected in the third quarter of 2017.