Almost two weeks after it let its measurement deal with ratings giant Nielsen lapse, CBS said it has come to an agreement for all of its programming properties.
In a brief statement, CBS said the renewal encompasses the CBS Television Network, CBS Television Distribution, Showtime Networks, Smithsonian, Pop, CBS Sports Network and CBS’ 27 owned-and-operated local television stations will continue to use Nielsen’s Total Audience measurement services as part of the deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“We are very pleased with this new agreement we were able to achieve with Nielsen,” said CBS acting CEO Joe Ianniello in a statement. “It meets our strategic goals, and will allow us to benefit from important advances in measurement as they are rolled out. CBS programming is perennially the most-watched content rated by Nielsen, and there is significant upside ahead as next-generation advertising continues to flourish.”
CBS let its Nielsen deal expire at the end of the year, a move that many believed signaled a shift in how TV audiences are measured. CBS had also complained that Nielsen was demanding too much money for its services. According to reports, CBS's earlier deal was worth about $100 million.
In the past several weeks Nielsen competitor Comscore struck deals with broadcasters, including Nexstar, Gray TV and E.W. Scripps.
“CBS is a longstanding leader in world-class video content. We are thrilled to continue our long partnership with them as we innovate for the future,” Nielsen CEO David Kenny said in a statement.
