NBC Universal Signs 7-Year Contract for Audience Measurement Services With Nielsen Media Research

NBC Universal Signs 7-Year Contract for Audience Measurement Services With Nielsen Media Research - Network, Station, Syndication, Cable Group Deal Is Largest Ever - NEW YORK, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Nielsen Media Research and NBC Universal announced today the signing of a seven-year landmark contract for audience measurement services covering all of NBC Universal's national and local television businesses. This includes the NBC Television Network, NBC Enterprises / NBC Universal Domestic Television, Telemundo, the cable networks Bravo, CNBC and MSNBC, USA Network, and SCI FI Channel, the 13 NBC-owned-and-operated television stations, and the 11 Telemundo television stations. It is the largest, most comprehensive contract of its kind in the history of media research. On February 20, 2003, Nielsen Media Research and NBC announced the signing of an agreement (called "a letter of intent") to enter into contract discussions for all of NBC's (now NBC Universal) television businesses. The contract was signed yesterday (Nov. 17) in New York by Alan Wurtzel, President, Research and Media Development for NBC Universal, and by Susan D. Whiting, President and CEO of Nielsen Media Research. Also, NBC Universal has agreed to support the largest-ever expansion of Nielsen's National People Meter Sample. When the agreement was first announced last year, the National People Meter Sample consisted of approximately 5,000 households. The sample has grown to more than 6,000 households since then, and when all elements of the expansion plan are complete, the effective size of the National People Meter Sample will be nearly 10,000 homes. "This is about value, continuity and quality assurance," said Alan Wurtzel. "With NBC's expanded portfolio of broadcast and cable properties, we wanted to ensure a consistent standard of research throughout all of our business units. This agreement accomplishes that goal." Susan Whiting said, "This landmark agreement reflects our commitment to everyone at NBC, first to deliver the highest quality estimates to their businesses every day; and second, to make certain we have invested in the right technology, the right methodology, the right partnerships, and the right people to assure that television will always be the best measured medium of audience delivery." "We are delighted that Nielsen was able to respond to NBC's need for a more holistic approach to their businesses," added Whiting. "Highly diversified media companies require comprehensive access to a broad spectrum of audience research information. Limitations on how individual business units may use vital information can impede growth." The agreement also builds on a strong engineering foundation between the two companies. NBC has agreed to implement Nielsen's digital encoding system to be used in Nielsen's new metering system for producing television ratings. The new Active/Passive metering system will be introduced in 2005. In sample homes, the A/P Meter will identify programs, stations and networks from electronic codes embedded in programs at the distribution source. NBC and Nielsen engineers will work closely together as new digital distribution systems come to the market. About Nielsen Media Research Nielsen Media Research is the leading provider of television audience measurement and related services, worldwide. More information is available at http://www.nielsenmedia.com/. Nielsen Media Research is part of the VNU Media Measurement & Information Group, a global leader in information services for the media and entertainment industries. VNU is active in more than 100 countries, spread across all continents. VNU employs more than 38,000 people and has annual revenues of more than EUR 4.3 billion. For more, visit http://www.vnu.com/. About NBC Universal NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates the No. 1 television network, the fastest-growing Spanish-language network, a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal. Contacts: Nielsen Media Research NBC Corporate Communications Jack Loftus Shannon Jacobs 646-654-8360 212-664-5871 jack.loftus@nielsenmedia.comShannon.Jacobs@NBC.com Source: Nielsen Media Research CONTACT: Jack Loftus of Nielsen Media Research, +1-646-654-8360, jack.loftus@nielsenmedia.com; Shannon Jacobs of NBC Corporate Communications, +1-212-664-5871, Shannon.Jacobs@NBC.com Web site: http://www.nielsenmedia.com/ http://www.vnu.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment