OzTam and Nielsen Commit to Multi-Screen Measurement

OzTAM - Australia's official source of television audience measurement - has extended its contract with Nielsen for the supply of services in the five Australian metropolitan markets, while committing to the development of multi-screen measurement.

Over the course of 2012, the OzTAM panel size will increase from 3,035 homes to 3,500 homes, which will take the number of panel homes to 950 in Sydney; 900 in Melbourne; 650 in Brisbane; 500 in Adelaide; 500 in Perth.

In addition, 10% of OzTAM's 3,500 panel homes will have both their TV sets and their PCs metered for viewing of broadcast TV content.

OzTAM CEO Doug Peiffer (pictured) said: 'This new agreement leverages OzTAM's substantial investments including the introduction of its 'Time Shift Viewing' service, upgrading all panel homes to the UNITAM metering system, and decisions to increase the size of the OzTAM panels. The contract extension also provides continuity as Nielsen and OzTAM work together to enhance the service to include the measurement of viewing on other screens.'

OzTAM first awarded the contract to supply television audience measurement services in Australia to the AGB Group (now Nielsen) in 2000. The new agreement takes effect on 1 January, 2015 and continues through 2017.

Web sites: www.oztam.com.au and www.nielsen.com .