Nielsen to fill Arb overnight void
The ratings service said it expects to begin overnight service in Cleveland by May and to add Detroit by mid-year.
Nielsen also said it's in discussions with Pittsburgh stations to install meters there.
Nielsen previously announced that it would begin metered service in West Palm Beach, Fla., starting in February. With the addition of Detroit and Cleveland -- the U.S.' ninth and 12th largest TV markets -- by the middle of next year, Nielsen will meter 32 markets accounting for roughly 53% of U.S. TV households.
Arbitron announced a few weeks ago that the service would shut down its TV ratings operation at the end of the year, giving Nielsen a monopoly in regard to local TV ratings (Daily Variety, Oct. 19).
Research execs and organizations like the National Assn. of Broadcasters have lamented Arbitron's decision, concerned about their lack of leverage in dealing with Nielsen once it becomes the sole source of TV ratings.
