BARC inks pact with Mediametrie for TV audience measurement

The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) today said it has tied-up with Mediametrie of France for key technology services and licensing for its proposed television audience measurement system.
As per the agreement, Mediametrie will provide technological know-how and licences to BARC to use their TV metering system and also help BARC procure its own metering hardware.
Mediametrie is a joint industry body in France, operating the TV, internet and radio currency ratings systems, engaged in multi-media audience research for the last 25 years.
BARC, which was formed in 2011, has embarked on a plan to reach out to all the stakeholders across the country. The industry body has decided to start with 20,000 people meters and is eventually planning to increase the number every year.

"Our technical committee and the management had scouted the global marketplace for suitable technology and we are happy with our choice. Mediametrie will provide its knowhow in the development and usage of watermarking technology i audience research. We will take a quantum jump in technology for audience measurement in the country with this," BARC chairman Punit Goenka told reporters here.
This technology is currently been used in three markets including France, Morocco and the Netherlands.
"We are very happy and proud of BARC's confidence in our solutions and expertise. We are thrilled to bring our know-how on such a TV market and share it with BARC.

"We are sharing a lot already in term of philosophy and vision and I am sure we will go far together," Mediametrie senior vice president Benoit Cassaigne said.