Sinclair Decides to Renew Ratings Deal With Nielsen

By Jon Lafayette
( Broadcasting & Cable )
published

Sinclair Broadcast Group, which last year said it was considering making comScore its main ratings provider, Thursday said it signed a new agreement with Nielsen.

The multi-year deal includes measurement for Sinclair’s local stations, digital broadcast networks and national unwired network.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

"We're pleased to have reached a mutually beneficial agreement with Nielsen," said Steve Marks, executive VP & COO of Sinclair. "We are happy to continue our long-standing relationship, and look forward to Nielsen's investments in Local broadcasting, as well as its future support of ATSC 3.0."

Sinclair is one of the largest station owners and is in the middle of acquiring Tribune’s stations as well.

Local measurement has been a strength for comScore as it tries to challenge Nielsen in the measurement market.

"Sinclair's content plays a critical role for the communities in which it serves," said Megan Clarken, president of Nielsen Watch. "We're delighted to continue our relationship with Sinclair and to support the countless growth opportunities involved in the deployment of ATSC 3.0."

Jon Lafayette
Jon Lafayette

Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.