Barb Adds BVOD, SVOD and Video Sharing Data to API

The UK's TV audience measurement body Barb has upgraded its API to include non-linear viewing on broadcaster video-on-demand (BVOD); subscription video-on-demand (SVOD); video sharing services and viewing on PCs, tablets and smartphones.

Barb was founded in 1981 as BARB (the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board) by the major players in the UK television and advertising industry, and is responsible for delivering the country's television audience ratings. In January, the organisation launched the beta of its API, offering access to three types of linear viewing data: programme audiences, advertising spots, and impacts by time segments.

With the upgrade, the API will include all data available in Barb's panel viewing file, including BVOD, SVOD and device viewing data dating from November 29th 2021, joining the linear viewing data already accessible. This upgrade also means that Barb clients can use the API to conduct longitudinal analysis across all services and platforms, such as using dynamic targets, calculating campaign reach and frequency and analysing series performance. All viewing data in the API are updated daily in line with Barb's usual data delivery schedules.

Jim Jarrett, Barb's Head of Research Operations, comments: 'This upgrade provides both more data and versatility in how clients can use our data. We're delighted that the API is already being used by Barb underwriters, including the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, agencies such as EssenceMediacom and All Response Media, and media companies like Fremantle, News UK and MIQ Digital, and we encourage more clients to use it and give us feedback so we can continue to build it further'.

Web site: www.barb.co.uk .