Nielsen Announces Digital Ratings System…

MediaPost’s Wayne Friedman writes about a new pilot digital ratings system Nielsen is launching…

A number of TV networks and media companies have signed — A+E, ABC, AOL, CBS, The CW, Discovery Communications, Fox, NBC and Univision — to participate in the online trial which will begin in May and go through July.

Nielsen says the effort will use the same methodology of its anticipated Nielsen Online Campaign Ratings. Nielsen says Digital Program Ratings will provide similar overnight audience data, including unique audience, stream counts and reach by age and gender for TV programming viewed online.

The two metrics — Nielsen Digital Program Ratings and Nielsen Online Campaign Ratings — will offer a more “holistic” view of the online and TV audience for both programming and advertising content. Nielsen plans the release of Nielsen Digital Program Ratings later this year, which will include time duration “weighting” of video and reporting of TV-comparable ratings.

April Numbers: HLN

HLN is noting its April ratings…

HLN TOPS MSNBC IN TOTAL DAY DEMO IN APRIL 2013

“Morning Express with Robin Meade” Once Again Bests MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”

HLN Continues to Post Double Digit Gains Across Both Dayparts & Demos; Prime Programs Boast Triple & Double Digit Gains

HLN topped MSNBC by +2% in Total Day among the coveted P25-54 demo (142k vs. 139k) in April 2013; MSNBC slipped to #4 for the month in Total Day P25-54 in cable

HLN’s morning show, “Morning Express with Robin Meade” bested MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” by +8% in P25-54 (144k vs. 133k), marking the second consecutive monthly win; Fueled by continuing coverage of the Jodi Arias trial and several breaking news stories, HLN experienced double-digit gains in Total Day and Prime vs. prior year:

April Numbers: CNN

CNN is noting its April ratings…

CNN HAS BEST RATINGS MONTH SINCE NOVEMBER 2012

CNN Shows Most Growth of All Cable News Nets and Now Ranks #2 Year-to-Date

CNN Tops MSNBC in Key Dayparts for the First Time in Over a Year; MSNBC Slips to 4 th

April 2013 is CNN Digital’s Most Trafficked Month in History; Network Breaks Records with1.8+ Billion Page Views

During a month that saw breaking news and extended coverage from Boston, CNN had its best total day (6a-6a) delivery among total viewers and the demo 25-54 since November 2012 and posted double and triple-digit increases vs. a year ago in total day and M-F/M-Su prime in both total viewers and the key demo 25-54. April marks the first time CNN has outdelivered MSNBC in total viewers and the key demo 25-54 in more than a year (March 2011) in total day and in prime. MSNBC also slips to 4 th place (behind HLN) in total day, the morning, daytime (9a-5p), 6p, 7p and 8p in the key demo 25-54. CNN is now topping MSNBC year-to-date in total day– ranking second among the cable news networks in total viewers and 25-54.

April network highlights (thru April 28):

February Numbers: CNN

CNN is noting it February ratings….

CNN NARROWS THE GAP WITH MSNBC

The Network Tops MSNBC during Dayside

CNN Evening Programs Show Growth vs. a Year Ago; FNC has Steep Declines in Key Demo

In February, CNN narrowed the total day gap with MSNBC to only -9k in total viewers (424k vs. 433k) and -11k in 25-54 (130k vs. 141k). At its recent monthly peak (October 2012), the gap was -180k in P2+ and -72k in 25-54. Last month it was -43k in 2+ and -26k in target demo.

CNN also topped MSNBC during dayside programming (9a-5p) in both total viewers (475k vs. 412k) and in the key demo 25-54 (129k vs. 119k) this month.

Other CNN ratings highlights include:

Nielsen Tries to Measure TV Everywhere…

Ok, this may be news to some, though not ICN readers who have had plenty of warning things were going in this direction (this, this, and this). The New York Times Brian Stelter writes about a major change coming to Nielsen’s measurement system…

For media executives, there may be nothing worse than a viewer or listener who is not counted.

On Thursday, in a move that might help ease those concerns, Nielsen said that it would start considering Americans who have spurned cable, but who have a television set hooked up to the Internet, as “television households,” potentially adding to the sample of homes that are rated by the company, the standard for television ratings. In front of skeptical network officials, the company pledged to measure TV viewership on iPads and other mobile devices in the future.

Those executives have a gnawing feeling that their consumers are being missed more and more often. As new pipelines open up for viewers and listeners through social media, mobile apps and game consoles, advertisers fret that they don’t know how many people are really seeing their ads, television networks fear they’re not getting credit for getting those people to tune in and record companies wonder how they can keep up with all the ways their customers consume music.

January Numbers: MSNBC

MSNBC is noting its January ratings…

MSNBC UP YEAR-OVER-YEAR IN ALL KEY DAYPARTS– JAN. 2012 RATINGS

MSNBC’s January Ratings Increases are Greater Than the Combined Cable News Competition

FOX News Channel Has Worst M-Su Primetime Performance Since August 2001, Lowest Total Day Since August 2008

NEW YORK –January 29, 2013 –MSNBC is continuing the ratings momentum with a strong January 2013, posting year-over-year growth in all key dayparts, according to data from Nielsen.

MSNBC ranked #2 in Total Day (M-Su 6a-6a) for the month with 491,000 total viewers and 160,000 A25-54. MSNBC grew in audience, while the other three cable news nets combined were down– compared to Jan. 2012, MSNBC is up 20% with A25-54 and 9% with total viewers. Fox News had the lowest total day delivery among A25-54 (209,000) since July 2008.

Facial Recognition Ratings?

MediaPost’s Steve McClellan writes about Nielsen and facial recognition technology…

Nielsen, which has explored facial recognition technology on and off for more than a decade, is again actively exploring how to apply the technique to its TV ratings panel. “It’s an intriguing opportunity for the whole industry,” said Brian Fuhrer, senior vice president, national and cross-platform television audience measurement.

Given that many devices today have facial recognition capability, from phones to TVs to gaming consoles, “it’s so logical” for the ratings company to adapt the technology as well.

Fuhrer stressed that there’s nothing imminent; the effort currently is “a lab discussion.” The company still has to determine conclusively that the existing ratings panel would not be negatively impacted. That said, if the industry agrees that the technology should be used for TV ratings, the company could implement the technology “fairly quickly,” he said.

Viewing Habits…

MediaPost’s Wayne Friedman writes about a new Nielsen report on TV viewing habits…

Nielsen, in a new Cross-Platform Report release, says 5% of viewing happens beyond seven days of time-shifting (up to 28 days) for the top ten shows. Much of this does occur with special interest TV shows — like science fiction.

But looking at overall TV viewing beyond seven days for all programs, much of this viewing is negligible: Broadcast TV tallies 1.1% viewing beyond seven days; for cable TV programs this comes to 0.6% beyond seven days; and syndication is at 0.3%.

What Is A “Household”?

Variety’s Andrew Wallenstein writes about Nielsen struggling with what constitutes a “household” in the 21st century…

If a viewer watches a TV show on a tablet, should that be reflected in its Nielsen rating?

That’s a question at the heart of a complicated decision Nielsen hopes to make by the end of the first quarter regarding a new definition for what constitutes a TV household.

The new definition is almost certain, according to sources, to include for the first time viewing on TV sets that show video via broadband connections, whether from a device like Apple TV or directly into the set itself. In addition, that viewing would not have to come in the form of linear channels, which would open up measurement to on-demand options like episodes posted on a broadcaster’s website.

But what is currently being debated is whether homes that restrict their viewing to smartphones or tablets will also be considered TV households. Those devices may have to wait until their measurement can be integrated into the TV ratings system.

Q4 Numbers: MSNBC…

MSNBC is noting its Q4 ratings…

MSNBC HAS MOST-WATCHED QUARTER IN NETWORK HISTORY – FOURTH QUARTER 2012 RATINGS

“Morning Joe,” “Hardball” “PoliticsNation” and “The Last Word” have Best Total Viewer Deliveries in Network History

MSNBC Weekday Primetime Hits Four Year High

“Maddow” Ranks #1 in A18-34 for 4th Consecutive Quarter

NEW YORK – January 4, 2013 – MSNBC had the most-watched quarter in network history, reaching an all-time high in P2+ for the Total Day time period (M-Su 6a-6a) and Daytime (M-F 9a-5p) during the fourth quarter of 2012, according to data from The Nielsen Company. MSNBC also hit all-time highs in total viewers with “Morning Joe,” “Hardball,” “PoliticsNation” and “The Last Word.”

In Total Day (M-Su 6a-6a), MSNBC had the best total viewer delivery ever and the best A25-54 quarterly delivery since 4Q08. MSNBC ranked #2 in total viewers (623,000 vs. 524,000) and A25-54 (217,000 vs 184,000), up 49% in total viewers and 62% in A25-54 compared to 4Q11, more growth than any other cable news channel in the time period. MSNBC also ranked #1 with African Americans (P2+ and A25-54) in for the quarter.

In Weekday Prime (M-F 8-11p), MSNBC had the best quarterly delivery in A25-54 and total viewers since 4Q08. MSNBC ranked #2 in A25-54 (471,000 vs. CNN’s 370,000) and total viewers (1.45 million vs. CNN’s 1.01 million). MSNBC Weekday Primetime is up 129% with A25-54 compared to 4Q11, more growth than all cable news channels in the time period combined. MSNBC is also up 72% over 4Q11 in total viewers, more growth than any other cable news out in the time period.

Q4 Numbers: CNN…

CNN is noting its Q4 ratings…

CNN RATINGS HIGHLIGHTS:

Fourth Quarter 2012

· CNN HAD ITS BEST QUARTERLY PRIME TIME DELIVERY SINCE Q1 ‘09 (Obama Inauguration)
· In both M-F and M-Su Prime, CNN registered it best total viewer delivery since Q3-09 and its best in the demo since Q1-09;
· CNN HAD ITS BEST QUARTERLY TOTAL DAY DELIVERY SINCE Q1 ’11 (Japanese Tsunami);
· In total day, Q4-12 is the network’s best since Q1-11 among both total viewers and in demo 25-54.
· CNN had significant growth compared to year ago (4Q 2011); up double digits in total day and in primetime versus last year;
· Erin Burnett Outfront registered its best quarterly deliveries since launch (Q4-11) among both total viewers and key demo 25-54;
· AC 360 at 8 pm is the highest rated show on the network in the key demo 25-54 (229k); AC 360 at 8p posted its best delivery in both demos since taking over the 8p hour (Q3-11), giving the network its best performance in the hour since Q3-09 among total viewers and Q1-09 among 25-54;
· Piers Morgan Tonight at 9 pm is the highest rated show on the network among total viewers (717k); Piers Morgan Tonight experienced its best total viewer delivery since its launch quarter of Q1-11 and its best in the demo since Q3-11.

Total Day: Up +30% in total viewers (525k vs. 404k) and +50% in the key demo 25-54 (184k vs. 123k)

Nielsen and Twitter Team Up…But For What Exactly?

Nielsen and Twitter announced a new deal today…

Nielsen and Twitter Establish Social TV Rating

Exclusive Agreement Creates “Nielsen Twitter TV Rating,” the Definitive Reach Metric for Social TV Audience Measurement and Analytics

NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO, December 17, 2012 – Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy, and Twitter today announced an exclusive multi-year agreement to create the “Nielsen Twitter TV Rating” for the US market. Under this agreement, Nielsen and Twitter will deliver a syndicated-standard metric around the reach of the TV conversation on Twitter, slated for commercial availability at the start of the fall 2013 TV season.

“The Nielsen Twitter TV Rating is a significant step forward for the industry, particularly as programmers develop increasingly captivating live TV and new second-screen experiences, and advertisers create integrated ad campaigns that combine paid and earned media,” said Steve Hasker, President, Global Media Products and Advertiser Solutions at Nielsen. “As a media measurement leader we recognize that Twitter is the preeminent source of real-time television engagement data.”

“Our users love the shared experience of watching television while engaging with other viewers and show talent. Twitter has become the world’s digital water cooler, where conversations about TV happen in real time. Nielsen is who the networks rely on to give better content to viewers and clearer results to marketers,” said Chloe Sladden, Twitter’s vice president of media. “This effort reflects Nielsen’s foresight into the evolving nature of the TV viewing experience, and we’re looking forward to collaborating with Twitter ecosystem partners on this metric to help broadcasters and advertisers create truly social TV experiences.”

TV viewers discuss TV on Twitter, creating a new dynamic between audiences and programming. The service’s more than 140 million active users send one billion Tweets every two and a half days, the vast majority of which is public and conversational, making Twitter data a necessity in producing standardized metrics representing online and mobile conversations about television.

The Nielsen Twitter TV Rating will serve to complement Nielsen’s existing TV ratings, giving TV networks and advertisers the real-time metrics required to understand TV audience social activity. These ratings will build on top of NM Incite’s SocialGuide audience engagement analytics platform. NM Incite is a joint venture between Nielsen and McKinsey & Co., and the hub of Nielsen’s social media analytics efforts.

“The proliferation of smartphones and tablets has generated a substantial ‘connected’ TV audience that is simultaneously watching television and accessing the Internet through these devices. This, in turn, will continue to create the opportunity for content providers like CBS to offer engaging interactive features for our viewers. As this form of viewer engagement evolves into a mainstream activity, it presents ways for CBS to enhance the viewing experience for our viewers and our advertisers. We are already engaged with Nielsen and Twitter in a program of research and experimentation in this exciting new area,” said David F. Poltrack, Chief Research Officer, CBS Corporation. “We are pleased to see Nielsen and Twitter join together to provide a comprehensive measurement system that will allow us to employ these social networking tools to their full advantage.”

“Twitter is a powerful messenger and a lot of fun for fans of our shows, providing them with the opportunity to engage, connect and voice their opinions directly to each other and us,” said Peter Rice, Chairman and CEO, Fox Networks Group. “Combining the instant feedback of Twitter with Nielsen ratings will benefit us, program producers, and our advertising partners.”

ABOUT THE NIELSEN TWITTER TV RATING The Nielsen Twitter TV Rating will enhance the social TV analytics and metrics available today from SocialGuide by adding the first-ever measurement of the total audience for social TV activity – both those participating in the conversation and those who were exposed to the activity –providing the precise size of the audience and effect of social TV to TV programming.

SocialGuide, recently acquired by Nielsen and NM Incite, currently captures Twitter TV activity for all U.S. programming across 234 TV channels in English and Spanish, and more than 36,000 programs. Through a sophisticated classification process, SocialGuide matches Tweets to TV programs to offer key social TV metrics including the number of unique Tweets associated with a given program and rankings for the most social TV programs.

There’s an awful lot of hype here but I’m not seeing a lot of substance. The SocialGuide metric cited above seems to be well suited for the noisier end of the signal to noise ratio. What’s the context? Just that a show got mentioned? We don’t know. More importantly we’ll never know because the mechanics of this will remain shrouded in a veil of Nielsen secrecy. That right there is the biggest reason not to buy into it. I suspect this service will have a hard time finding willing buyers in the advertiser space. They are already leery enough of Nielsen’s TV ratings service and whether their commercials are being watched. Twitter is an even dicier thing to quantify meaningfully. Many have tried. Speaking of trial and error…anyone notice that Mediaite’s much hyped at launch Power Grid is no longer prominently featured on its main page?

C3 Out, C7 In?

MediaPost’s Wayne Friedman writes about how C7 ratings are increasing in importance for TV networks…

Although advertisers don’t pay for seven days of viewing, more top network TV shows are grabbing big week-long DVR viewership — with many programs now getting a 50% increase from time-shifted viewing.

Many shows until recently were only gaining 30% to 40% higher numbers when including a week’s worth of time-shifted viewership. But now, many programs are registering much higher numbers, for the most recent reporting week in late October.

This growing research has pushed senior TV-media executives to seek a change in the way they make deals with advertisers — possibly looking to extend from the current three-day media deal model, the live average commercial ratings plus three days of DVR playback metric (C3).

Q3 Numbers: MSNBC

MSNBC is noting its Q3 numbers…

MSNBC TOPS CNN FOR 3Q 2012

MSNBC Tops CNN By Largest Advantages Ever in Primetime, Sales Prime, and Total Day

MSNBC Daytime Tops CNN for the First Time Ever

MSNBC Up Double- Digits In All Key Dayparts Year-Over-Year

MSNBC #1 Among A18-34 in Primetime

NEW YORK – October 2, 2012 – MSNBC had a strong third quarter of 2012, up double-digits year-over-year in all key time periods and topping CNN across the board, according to data from Nielsen Media Research.

MSNBC had the best quarterly delivery in M-F Primetime (8-11p.m.) among A25-54 since 1Q09 and the best total viewer delivery since 4Q08. For the quarter, M-F Primetime ranked #2 with a 58% advantage over CNN in A25-54 (338,000 vs. 214,000) and 70% with total viewers (1.16 million vs. 682,000) – the biggest advantages ever over CNN for a quarter. Compared to 3Q2011, MSNBC weekday primetime was up 35% in A25-54 and 33% in total viewers, more growth than all other cable news outlets in the time period combined. Primetime also grew 73% with A18-34 compared to 3Q11.

In M-Su Primetime, MSNBC also ranked #2 with the highest quarterly (000s) advantages ever over CNN in both A25-54 and total viewers. For the quarter, M-Su Primetime ranked #2 with a 59% lead over CNN in A25-54 (298,000 vs. 188,000) and 52% in total viewers (935,000 vs. 616,000). MSNBC ranked #1 among the younger demo of A18-34 for the third consecutive quarter. Compared to Q311, MSNBC is up 22% in A25-54 (the only growth in the time period), 24% in total viewers, and 40% in A18-34, more growth in the time period than all other cable news outlets combined.

September Numbers: CNN

CNN is noting its September and Q3 numbers…

CNN Shows Primetime Gains in September; Has Significant Growth from Last Quarter

HIGHLIGHTS:

CNN showed primetime gains in September vs. a year ago; Erin Burnett OutFront has best month ever; AC 360 (10pm) is highest rated show on the network in the key demo; Piers Morgan Tonight is highest rated show on the network in total viewers; September represents CNN’s 4th month of growth in both total viewers and demo in total day since May 2012 lows; CNN has significant growth this quarter vs. last quarter (Q3 2012 vs. Q2 2012); FNC is down the most in primetime in Q3 vs. a year ago.

September 2012 vs. a Year Ago:

Prime (M-F): up +37% in total viewers (1.058m vs. 773k)/up +35% (345k vs. 255k)

Total Day: up +5% in total viewers (473k vs. 449k)

September Show Highlights:

September Numbers:MSNBC

MSNBC is noting its September numbers..

MSNBC TOPS FOX NEWS AT 10 PM IN SEPTEMBER

“The Last Word” Ranks #1 in A25-54 for the Month of September

MSNBC Has Best Primetime, Total Day, Morning and Daytime Performance in Nearly Four Years

“Hardball with Chris Matthews,” “PoliticsNation” and “The Ed Show” Have Best Month Ever

MSNBC Posts Double Digit Year-to-Year Growth in All Key Dayparts

NEW YORK –October 2, 2012 – Continuing the momentum from the political conventions, including the primetime win during the Democratic National Convention, MSNBC had a huge ratings month in September, according to data from Nielsen Media Research. For the first time in more than a decade, MSNBC topped Fox News Channel at 10 p.m. among A25-54 with “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” beating “On the Record w/Greta Van Susteren” (444,000 vs. 441,000) for the month. This is the first time “The Last Word” has ranked #1 in the demo for a month and the first time since August 2001 that MSNBC has topped Fox News Channel at 10 p.m. for a month.

MSNBC had its best M-F Primetime performance since November 2008, topping CNN by 42% in A25-54 (487,000 vs. 342,000) and 53% with total viewers (1.61 million vs. 1.1 million). Compared to September 2011, MSNBC weekday primetime is up 84% with A25-54, 72% with total viewers and 133% with A18-34, the most growth for any cable news channel.

August Numbers: MSNBC…

MSNBC is noting its August ratings…

MSNBC DOMINATES CNN IN AUGUST

MSNBC Posts Largest Monthly Advantages Ever Over CNN

MSNBC Primetime Leads CNN by 123% in A25-54

Posts Year-to-Year Growth in All Key Dayparts – The Only Cable News Net to Grow

MSNBC Ranks #1 Among Adults 18-34 in All Key Dayparts

NEW YORK – August 28, 2012 – MSNBC dominated CNN in August, posting the largest monthly advantages ever over CNN in M-F Primetime, Sales Day and Total Day according to data from Nielsen. MSNBC also posted year-to-year growth across the board in all key dayparts, while CNN and FNC were both down.

For the month of August, MSNBC ranked #2 and led CNN by 123% among A25-54 (274,000 vs. 123,000) and by 129% among total viewers (969,000 vs. 424,000) in weekday primetime, the largest monthly advantages ever over CNN. MSNBC also ranked #1 among A18-34 in weekday prime, topping both CNN and FNC. Compared to August 2011, MSNBC weekday primetime is up 19% with A25-54 and total viewers and 54% with A18-34 posting the only year to year growth in the daypart.

MSNBC ranked #2 and beat CNN in M-Su Primetime, with a 110% advantage over CNN in A25-54 (258,000 vs. 123,000) and 91% in total viewers (811,000 vs. 425,000), the largest monthly advantages over CNN ever. MSNBC also ranked #1 among the younger demo of A18-34 in M-Su Primetime. Compared to August 2011, MSNBC M-Su Primetime is up 14% with A25-54, 14% with total viewers, and 37%with A18-34 posting the only year-to-year growth in the daypart. (Data excludes Olympic coverage).

Nielsen Changes Measurment System…

Variety’s Andrew Wallenstein writes about changes to Neilsen’s Measurement System…

The data behemoth will begin supplementing homes that use either diaries or meters with a technology dubbed “code readers” in 20 markets beginning in the fourth quarter of the year. The code readers are VHS cassette-sized boxes that listen for audio watermarks embedded in TV programming.

In addition, the sample size will double in 12 of those markets that use diaries, while the sample size for the other eight using either set meters or local people meters will quadruple.

Data derived from the revamped efforts won’t be available until 2013. The changes won’t take effect in Nielsen’s other 190 markets until two years after the first wave of changes are evaluated.

Q2 2012 Numbers: MSNBC

MSNBC is noting its Q2 numbers…

MSNBC CONTINUES TO TOP CNN FOR 2Q 2012

MSNBC Ranks #1 in Total Day, Sales Day and Primetime among A18-34

MSNBC has Largest Quarterly Advantage Ever Over CNN in M-Su Primetime for A2554 and Total Viewers

CNN Hits All-Time Low in Primetime for the Quarter – “Piers Morgan Tonight” hits all-time low for CNN at 9 p.m.

NEW YORK – June 26, 2012 – MSNBC continues to top CNN in all key ratings categories including Total Day and Primetime for the second quarter of 2012, according to data from Nielsen Media Research.

During a quarter that saw all-time lows (since at least 1991, as far back as data is available) for CNN in M-F Primetime, M-Su Primetime and the lowest quarterly delivery in Total Day in more than a decade (since 3Q00), MSNBC maintained strong leads over CNN in the morning with “Way Too Early” and “Morning Joe” and in primetime with “Hardball,” “PoliticsNation,” “The Ed Show,” “The Rachel Maddow Show,” and “The Last Word.”

MSNBC topped CNN for the quarter in weekday primetime in total viewers by 74% (812,000 vs. 468,000) and by 59% in A25-54 (226,000 vs. 142,000) . In Monday – Sunday primetime, MSNBC beat CNN among total viewers by 54% (689,000 vs. 446,000) and by 68% among A25-54 (217,000 vs. 129,000). This is MSNBC’s largest quarterly percent advantage over CNN ever.

Nielsen Can Now Measure Tablet Data…

MediaPost’s David Goetzl writes that Nielsen now has a system to measure tablet data…

Nielsen CFO Brian West just reported the company has a measurement system to capture iPad and other tablet usage that is being tested by large media companies. The move is a natural extension of Nielsen’s efforts in its extended screen work, where it would add tablet data into a system with TV and PC measurement.

“This is one where technically we can do it,” West said at an investor event.

Yet there are still significant steps that must be taken before the tablet measurement functionality becomes widely deployed in the market, partly because the marketplace often breeds disagreement.

“Nothing moves fast enough in the space,” West said, referring to client adoption and revenue potential for Nielsen. “You’ve always got to facilitate constituents that have different viewpoints, but you’ve got to be the referee sometime — and that’s the role we play, and we’re perfectly happy to do that.”

Just Say No….to C7

MediaPost’s Steve McClellan writes about an alternate proposal to using C7 ratings…

Some of the networks took advantage of upfront week to push for a new ratings currency that would include seven days of DVR playback versus the three days of playback included in the current ratings system (C3).

But not so fast, says Bill Duggan, group executive vice president, the Association of National Advertisers. Rather than go there, advertisers want the TV industry to finally focus on what they call the “holy grail” — ratings detailing audiences of individual ads versus the average rating for all ads within specific shows that the current system offers.

The Push for C7 Ratings?

MediaPost’s David Goetzl writes about Ted Harbert, Chairman of NBC Broadcasting, floating a ratings landscape reshaping trial balloon…

Harbert suggested a rise in time-shifted viewing means networks are undercompensated with the current ratings system that drives the national marketplace. The industry standard uses a C3 number, which rolls up commercial viewing over a three-day period after broadcast.

“It’s time to consider a move to a C7 metric,” Harbert said at the NBC upfront presentation.

It was a surprising venue to launch the charge. Upfront presentations are usually reserved for some plugs about network progress and a focus on programming, rather than hinting about contentious negotiations.

Then again, Radio City Music Hall was filled with media buyers, and it was a way to reach masses of them at once. SMGX, the large media buying entity, didn’t seem ready to shake hands, tweeting: “While that is great for NBC, is it good for our clients?”

Nielsen Unveils New People Meters…

MediaPost’s Joe Mandese writes about the next generation in Nielsen People Meters…

In what is likely the most significant change in the methods Nielsen uses to measure TV — and potentially all forms of video content — the ratings company this week quietly began informing clients of a major initiative to develop a suite of new audience meters and digital tracking codes that could begin replacing its current meters as soon as 2014.

Dubbed “GTAM,” which stands for Global Television Audience Metering, the initiative includes the development of four new audience metering technologies designed to deal with all of the conceivable challenges involved in measuring the viewing behavior of contemporary consumer households.

April Numbers: HLN

HLN is noting its April ratings…

HLN Posts Most Growth in Cable News in Both Total Day and Prime

Nancy Grace Up the Most of Any Cable News Show in Prime among P25-54

HLN Weekend Mysteries Block Continues to Post Gains in April 2012

In April 2012, HLN is the only cable news network to post double digit growth in both Total Viewers and P25-54 in Total Day and Primetime (M-Su) compared to a year ago.

Total Day

P2+ +18% 257k vs. 217k
P25-54 +9% 99k vs. 91k

Primetime (M-Su)

P2+ +20% 373k vs. 310k
P25-54 +20% 128k vs. 106k

HLN’s 7p – 11p programs post significant increases and milestones in April 2012:

April Numbers: MSNBC

Here I am packing and the April ratings come out. Here’s MSNBC’s release…

MSNBC CONTINUES TO TOP CNN – APRIL 2012 RATINGS

MSNBC CONTINUES TO TOP CNN

MSNBC Weekday Primetime Beats CNN By 68% in Total Viewers and 54% in the Demo for April

MSNBC Ranks #1 Among Adults 18-34 in Primetime for the Month

MSNBC Surpasses CNN in Total Day

NEW YORK –May 1, 2012 – MSNBC topped CNN in primetime and total day during the month of April, according to data from Nielsen Media Research. MSNBC also beat the cable news competition among the younger demo in primetime, ranking #1 for the month among A18-34.

MSNBC topped CNN in the morning with “Way Too Early” and “Morning Joe” and in primetime with “Hardball,” “PoliticsNation,” “The Ed Show,” “The Rachel Maddow Show,” and “The Last Word.” MSNBC beat CNN in total viewers by 68% (896,000 vs. 533,000) and by 54% among A25-54 (250,000 vs. 162,000) for the month in weekday primetime (M-F 8-11 p.m.). This was CNN’s lowest weekday prime delivery since Aug. 2010. MSNBC also surpassed CNN in total day (M-Su 6a-6a) by 29% among A25-54 (139,000 vs. 108,000) and 19% in total viewers (425,000 vs. 357,000).

Following are MSNBC’s morning and primetime ratings highlights for April 2012:

Q1 2012: CNN’s Numbers…

CNN is noting its Q1 ratings…

CNN TOPS MSNBC IN PRIMETIME BY DOUBLE DIGITS DURING FIRST QUARTER 2012

AC 360 TOPS MSNBC’S LAST WORD AT 10PM FOR THE QUARTER

CNN Sees Solid Gains Compared to Last Quarter

First Quarter 2012 Highlights:

CNN tops MSNBC in M-F and M-Su primetime in the key demo for the first quarter 2012
AC 360 at 10pm tops MSNBC’s Last Word in the target demo 25-54
CNN tops MSNBC throughout dayside (9am-5pm)
CNN sees gains compared to last quarter (Q4 2011) — all of the cable news networks are down compared to the first quarter a year ago due to extensive coverage of the Japan earthquake/tsunami and Arab Spring

Q1 2012: MSNBC’s Numbers…

MSNBC is noting its Q1 2012 ratings…

MSNBC TOPS CNN FOR 1Q 2012

MSNBC beats CNN in both Total Day and Primetime

NEW YORK – March 27, 2012 – MSNBC topped CNN in both total viewers and A25-54 for the first quarter of 2012, according to data from Nielsen Media Research.

During a quarter where CNN’s ratings were elevated due to three Republican Presidential debates, MSNBC continued to top CNN in the morning with “Way Too Early,” “Morning Joe” and “The Daily Rundown” and in primetime with “Hardball,” “PoliticsNation,” “The Ed Show,” “The Rachel Maddow Show,” and “The Last Word.” MSNBC topped CNN in total viewers (979,000 vs. 820,000) for the quarter in weekday primetime and Monday – Sunday primetime (825,000 vs. 755,000). MSNBC was also #2 in primetime among the A25-54 demo for the month of March 2012 (M-F Prime 270,000 vs. 208,000, M-Su Prime 256,000 vs. 189,000).

Additionally, MSNBC was the only cable news network to grow in daytime, up 13% in A25-54 and 17% in total viewers from 1Q11, while CNN is down double-digits with A25-54 and total viewers in each daytime hour (9a-5p) from last year.

Following are MSNBC’s morning and primetime ratings highlights for 1Q2012:

January Numbers: CNBC Digital…

CNBC Digital is noting its January numbers…

CNBC DIGITAL SETS NEW JANUARY RECORDS

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. – February 13, 2012 – CNBC.com, the online destination for global business news and expert analysis, had its best January ever in terms of page views. According to the latest data from comScore Media Metrix, the site was visited by 6.2 million unique users last month and achieved a record 331 MM page views, a 6% increase year-over-year.

CNBC Mobile also scored records for January. CNBC’s Real-Time iPhone App posted its best month ever in terms of unique visitors, a 31% increase compared to the same time period as last year and recorded 74 MM page views, representing a 58% increase year-over-year (Source: Omniture). CNBC’s Real-Time iPad App also had its best month ever in terms of uniques and its second best month ever in page views with 22 MM (Source: Rentrak). CNBC Mobile Web recorded 67 MM page views and an 8% increase in uniques year-over-year (Source: Omniture).

Additional January 2012 highlights include:

Nevada Caucuses: Fast Nationals…

CNN is noting its fast national ratings for the Nevada Caucuses…

According to Nielsen time period for Nevada Caucuses – Saturday, February 4, 2012

Highlights:

CNN tops MSNBC in primetime (8-11pm) and during key coverage block (7-11pm)
CNN showed the most primetime growth vs. non-primary nights
CNN topped FNC and MSNBC at 11pm in the key demo

During Saturday night’s coverage of the GOP Nevada Caucuses, CNN topped MSNBC in primetime (8-11pm) in both total viewers and in the key demo adults 25-54. In total viewers, CNN averaged 595k a +37% advantage over MSNBC’s 433k and in the target demo, CNN posted 174k a +23% lead over MSNBC’s 142k. (FNC aired Huckabee at 8 pm and Justice with Judge Jeanine at 9pm on Saturday night.)

January Numbers: CNN…

CNN is noting its January numbers…

CNN TOPS MSNBC IN PRIMETIME

ANDERSON COOPER 360 TOPS MSNBC AT 10PM; UP 61% WHILE MSNBC LOSES VIEWERS

AC 360 ONLY SHOW TO HAVE RATINGS GAINS AT 8PM

CNN Tops MSNBC in Total Day Demo and Dayside

January 2012 Highlights:

CNN tops MSNBC in M-F and M-Su primetime in both total viewers and key demo
CNN tops MSNBC in total day demo and grows, while MSNBC loses viewers
CNN tops MSNBC throughout the daytime
AC 360 at 10p tops MSNBC in both categories and increases +61% in the target demo while MSNBC is down -18%
AC 360 at 8p grows +42% in key demo and +20% in total viewers; while MSNBC is down -29% and -12% respectively
Erin Burnett OutFront (7p) is up vs. CNN programming a year ago and at 11p tops MSNBC’s Ed Show in the key demo

In M-F primetime (8-11p), CNN topped MSNBC in both total viewers (976k vs. 942k) and in the target demo (329k vs. 225k) in January 2012. Compared to a year ago, CNN increased +58% in the key demo (329k vs. 208k) and MSNBC lost -14% of its primetime audience (225k vs. 262k). Without the debates, CNN still outperformed MSNBC in the key demo 25-54 (250k vs. 225k) this month.