BARB to Test Meter for Online TV Viewing

UK audience measurement body BARB (The Broadcasters' Audience Research Board) has announced it will test a new meter which promises measurement of television viewed via a PC or laptop.

BARB CEO Bjarne Thelin made the announcement at a conference on the Future of Broadcasting in London today, adding that the UK will be the first country to test such a device.

Currently under development by TNS, the new 'virtual meter' is based on BARB's current set-top box technology, and will track viewing automatically but also provide an option for panellists to log their viewing manually.

A specific test panel of 75 homes is being recruited and will use the devices for six months: if successful, BARB will look at rolling out the meter across its main in-home viewing panel of 5,100 homes.

It is almost four years since BARB announced a Request for Proposals for measurement contracts for 2010 and beyond, seeking 'next generation' measurement ideas to cover 'all audiences to televisual services within the UK' including out-of-home viewing and new media.

Web site: www.barb.co.uk .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.