Nielsen to Provide More Data to Non-Client Broadcasters

The Nielsen Company will begin providing designated market area maps to broadcasters that don’t subscribe to Nielsen’s service “at a reasonable charge” to address broadcaster concerns (see 2208300050) about the ways Nielsen data is required to comply with FCC rules, Nielsen said in an ex parte letter posted Thursday in docket 22-239. “The broadcasters’ assertions are not entirely correct factually,” Nielsen said. “They do, however, raise a valid policy point: if non-clients need our information to comply with FCC rules, they need a way to obtain this information reasonably and quickly.” Nielsen said it has always informed stations of their designated market area assignments -- which are based on Nielsen data -- for free, and it will provide customer service representatives “information to help them distinguish between non-clients solely seeking DMA information and those seeking to become clients.” Nielsen will also continue to offer ratings information to non-clients “at special prices for the limited use of preparing for assignments and transfers of control,” the letter said.