OzTam's VOZ Enters Final Phase

Australian TV audience measurement body OzTAM says its Virtual Australia (VOZ) measurement solution is on track for launch in 2024, with media agencies set to begin embedding the VOZ database in their systems in the coming months.

VOZ is an all-screen Total TV viewing and campaign performance solution using an integrated database and providing Australia's reporting standard and trading currency in 2024. The system was first announced more than five years ago and the first phase was rolled out in February 2020 and completed in May this year. This included the release of daily next-day Overnight VOZ data; delivery of the Quarter Hour audience files (QHFs) on which broadcasters and media agencies transact; and the publication of Total TV program ranking and audience reach reports on the VirtualOz.com.au web site.

In the second phase, OzTAM has been working with third-party software suppliers (TPSS) who are building the analytical software needed to process the detailed VOZ dataset. The required VOZ Gold Standard accreditations have been awarded to Broadcast Map, Day 8, Nielsen L&J, and Tech Edge.

OzTAM CEO Karen Halligan (pictured) says, 'Australia is the only country in the world that has a product like VOZ, with fully integrated linear and BVOD measurement for both content and commercials. VOZ Total TV, that has been conceived, developed and built in Australia, delivers the clearest picture of viewing on all screen types than has ever been possible. Bringing VOZ Total TV to market has been a complex and technically challenging proposition, and there is genuine excitement in the industry that we have reached the final stage of this journey'.

Halligan thanked the 'collaborative and committed' TPSS partners, her Regional TAM colleagues, and the Media Federation of Australia (MFA) and its member agencies for their 'consistent support, constructive input and advocacy'.

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

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