Change of Provider for New Zealand TV Ratings

British company TV Beat is to replace Nielsen as provider of New Zealand's TV audience measurement contract, according to reports. TV Beat will operate a new solution based on first-party viewing data and combining ratings for broadcast and streaming video.

Nielsen won a two-year extension of its contract in August 2025 - the new system will launch at the conclusion of this, and will combine first-party viewing data from TVNZ and Sky's broadcast and streaming platforms with Mediacell data panel results provided by Ipsos. The latter will 'calibrate and validate' the results, aiming to give a rounded, clearer picture of 'how, when and where New Zealanders watch'.

TV Beat has offices in London, Palo Alto, CA, and Zagreb, Croatia. The company provides measurement for Sky UK through its 'Total TV' platform, and according to a report on news site www.mumbrella.com.au has also developed a system of digitally tracked and reported impressions for Foxtel in Australia.

Phil Lucy (pictured), Chief Sales Officer at Sky, comments: 'Advertisers invest where they have confidence in the numbers, and a complete picture means the true scale of the TV audience is finally counted. That's good for advertisers, and good for the value premium video delivers.' TVNZ Revenue Chief Valerie Walshe adds, 'audiences don't think in platforms. They simply want to watch great content wherever and whenever it suits them. Measurement must reflect that reality.'

Web site: www.tvbeat.com .