Comcast Spotlight Signs Multi-Year Services Agreement With Nielsen Media Research

Comcast Spotlight Signs Multi-Year Services Agreement With Nielsen Media Research

Agreement Extends Existing Relationship and Consolidates Local People Meter Services for Comcast's Ad Sales Division in 10 Leading Markets

NEW YORK, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Nielsen Media Research and Comcast Spotlight, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, announced today a six-year agreement that consolidates into one single contract all of Comcast's Local People Meter (LPM) services in each of the ten major television markets where Nielsen provides LPM audience ratings. This agreement with Nielsen marks a major commitment by Comcast Spotlight to provide advanced research for advertisers and more relevant advertising for viewers.

The agreement covers the local markets in which Nielsen already operates LPM services -- New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Detroit and Dallas -- plus Atlanta, where Nielsen will roll out LPMs later this year. These markets represent 30% of the households in the U.S. LPMs can help advertisers in their allocation decisions for media dollars because they are a more accurate picture of an increasingly fragmented television audience.

"In this era of rapidly fragmenting television audiences, it is critical to expand electronic measurement in all major media markets," said Sara Erichson, General Manager, National Services for Nielsen Media Research. "Comcast has been a leading proponent of electronic television ratings, and this new comprehensive services agreement will make it easier for them to make full use of the detailed television measurement information available through LPMs."

"This agreement with Nielsen and our continued investment in the latest technologies, products and services, further enhance the value of spot cable advertising," said Hank Oster, Comcast Spotlight Senior Vice President and General Manager. "In Comcast Spotlight markets where LPMs are deployed, we already have seen this more accurate data demonstrate an overall increase in viewership to cable sources. This agreement solidifies our promise to our clients to bring better television measurement to the advertising marketplace."

Electronic People Meters, which Nielsen has been using to produce national television ratings since 1987, provide the most accurate and timely means to measure increasingly diverse audiences. With Local People Meter services, Nielsen is now offering the same level of quality and reliability in the nation's major markets.

About Nielsen Media Research

Nielsen Media Research is the world's leading provider of television audience measurement and advertising information services. In the United States, Nielsen's National People Meter service provides audience estimates for all national program sources, including broadcast networks, Spanish language networks, and national syndicators. Local ratings estimates are produced in each of the 210 television markets in the U.S., including electronic metered service in 56 markets. Nielsen Media Research is part of VNU Media Measurement & Information, a global leader in information services for the media and entertainment industries. VNU is active in more than 100 countries, with headquarters in Haarlem, the Netherlands and New York, USA. VNU is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange. For more information, please visit the VNU website at http://www.vnu.com/.

About Comcast Spotlight

Comcast Spotlight, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, helps put the power of cable to use for local, regional and national advertisers. It is focused on moving the industry forward in advanced technologies and innovative products to reach audiences most effectively and efficiently. Headquartered in New York with offices throughout the country, Comcast Spotlight has a presence in more than 70 markets, including 22 of the top 25 DMAs. Comcast Spotlight is a registered trademark of Comcast Cable. For more information, visit http://www.comcastspotlight.com/.

Source: Nielsen Media Research

CONTACT: Dana Runnells of Comcast Spotlight, +1-917-934-1015; or Laura
James of Nielsen Media Research, +1-646-654-8622

Web site: http://www.nielsenmedia.com/

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