GfK Upgrades TV Measurement Device

TV research division GfK Fernsehforschung has upgraded its tool for analysis of TV consumption in Germany, to include measurement of time-delayed, time-shifted and out-of-home TV viewing.

GfK Fernsehforschung was commissioned to develop the new TC score by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Fernsehforschung (AGF - which represents German TV broadcasters) to meet the increasing digitization of TV technology in Germany. Swiss-based group subsidiary GfK Telecontrol - which produces media research technology - was then commissioned to manufacture the concept.

The new system is replacing the previously used TC XL device after more than a decade. Earlier this week, 1,500 households in the AGF/GfK TV panel switched over to the new technology, and all the 5,640 households on the panel will be equipped with the new device by the end of the year.

Like the preceding model, the TC score system comprises three components: the measuring device, a display and its own remote control. It can monitor all the TV receiving devices within a household, to provide a complete overview of that household's TV consumption.

The device monitors and records to the precise second every time the TV set is turned on or off or the channel is changed, as well as any other types of use, such as teletext, TOP-text, games consoles and electronic program guides. For videos, the channel and time of recording can also be identified.

A special feature of the TC score is that it enables the collection of data for time-shift viewing on digital recording devices, such as hard drive receivers or DVD recorders. This type of TV consumption is being included in the latest survey results, and is now part of the currency for the German TV measurement.

Web site: www.gfk.com .