In September, we announced that as part of our ongoing effort to advance television measurement, we will expand the use of our Portable People Meter™ (PPM) technology to provide enhanced, direct persons measurement for local TV ratings.

Our inclusion of these PPM panelists will bring two significant benefits to our local TV service. First, it will effectively double the sample size across the 44 U.S. markets where the PPM panels exist. Second, the use of the PPM device, which panelists carry with them wherever they go, enables Nielsen to measure TV viewing that occurs outside the home in places like restaurants, bars, waiting rooms, airports and other places where people watch TV.

In anticipation of these developments, our teams have been actively working with local TV stations in the 44 markets to ensure that they have up-to-date encoding hardware in place to enable TV measurement through the PPM technology. Specifically, local TV stations require the current generation of Nielsen TV encoders for this capability.  

Based on individual station’s broadcasting needs, either the Ross NWE-3GA or Ross NWE-TS generation of hardware is required to encode each broadcast feed. Many stations have already upgraded to their encoders or placed orders to ensure compliance.  For those that use the older NAVE and NAVEIIc encoders, they will reach the “End-of-Support” status at the end of 2016.

Being PPM ready is critical for all clients in these 44 markets, so their complete audience is included in the impact data that will be released in 2017.  

If stations have questions about ordering Ross encoders or would like additional information on this new capability and measurement enhancement, please contact jennifer.carton@nielsen.com.