Why is Nielsen's monthly 'The Gauge' report delayed?

The report is delayed by a week to allow clients and the industry a smoother transition and better holistic view of February viewing, coinciding with the release of The Media Distributor Gauge.

What is the DASH data and how does it affect streaming viewership?

DASH is new data that shows how U.S. households connect to and consume TV, use video-capable digital devices, and interact with streaming media and ecommerce accounts, potentially resulting in a diminution of the overall streaming audience.

Why are streaming companies concerned about potential changes in viewership data?

Streaming companies are growing more dependent on ad dollars, and a reported downturn in viewership could impact their ability to attract advertisers and charge competitive rates.

Home / Business and Economy / Nielsen's Gauge Update Sparks Streaming Industry Jitters

Nielsen's Gauge Update Sparks Streaming Industry Jitters

13 Mar

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Summary

Nielsen's monthly streaming viewership report delayed unexpectedly.
New data implementation may show a decrease in streaming audiences.
Streaming companies depend more on ad revenue than before.

Nielsen's Gauge Update Sparks Streaming Industry Jitters

Nielsen's upcoming "The Gauge" report, a monthly analysis of TV viewership across broadcast, cable, and streaming, is facing a one-week delay. This postponement stems from preliminary findings suggesting a potential decrease in streaming consumption. The updated data, implemented earlier this year and known as DASH, is designed to more accurately reflect how U.S. households consume media across various devices and platforms.

This new methodology, developed in partnership with NORC at the University of Chicago, is expected to adjust the universe of viewers, potentially reducing the perceived size of the streaming audience while increasing that of traditional cable and broadcast. Nielsen has communicated these expected changes to clients, emphasizing that DASH is accredited by the Media Rating Council and was adopted following client feedback.