Alphabetical View

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A

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1G

First generation mobile telephony systems using analogue signals, but with the digitisation of the control link between the mobile phone and the cell (transmission) sites.

2.5G

Extension of 2G systems through use of 2.5G protocols providing additional features such as GPRS packet-switched connections and enhanced data rates.

2G

Second generation mobile telephony systems offering better quality at lower costs to the consumer through the digitisation of the signal and supporting voice, low speed data connections and short messaging services. GSM is the most widely used 2G standard.

3G

Third generation mobile telephony systems as result of further progress in cellular transmission technology leading to faster bit rates. G3 system capabilities include provision of high-speed data transmission and supporting multimedia applications that including mobile TV video services, video-conferencing and Internet access. The main differentiating feature of 3G from earlier mobile technologies is its ability to support video services.

AAAA (American Association of Advertising Agencies)

An organisation representing the interests of advertising agencies in the US. Also known as “4A’s”.

AAC (Advance audio codec)

From MPEG-4. Is a successor to MP3. The very high popularity of MP3 and its incorporation into a large number of players, including CD and DVD players should, however, ensure MP3 longevity for years to come.

ABS (Australia)

Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian governments official statistical organisation responsible for conducting the census.

Acceptance/ installation rate

Percentage of homes out of the approached sample that are successfully recruited, installed and participate in the peoplemeter panel. In the case of addresses taken from an establishment or other survey, the acceptance/installation rate is calculated by multiplying the acceptance/installation rate from the approached sample (or "recruitment pool") by the response rate to the survey from which the addresses were taken. Precise operational definitions of the acceptance/installation rate can vary appreciably across different peoplemeter panels.

Access Channels

US term for dedicated 'public service' channels set aside by cable companies for non-discriminatory access to the network by the public, government agencies, or educational institutions.

ACHAP (Chile)

Joint industry committee overseeing TAM data provision in Chile.

Active peoplemeter measurement

Peoplemeter measurement that registers viewer presence by means of remote control push-button handsets, where panel members are instructed to press at the beginning and end of each viewing session. Each person (family member) belonging to the panel is assigned their own button for purposes of individual identification, whilst additional buttons on the remote control handset are reserved for recording guest viewing. Today, all peoplemeter panels collecting audience data for TV advertising and programme purposes employ active measurement.

Active/Passive (A/P) Meter

The Active/Passive Metering system actively reads video and audio codes embedded in the programme and is capable of producing audio signatures as a secondary identification method or as a back up.

Addressable

Able to signal from the headend or hub so that only the particular specified subscriber's receiving the equipment is affected, enabling changes in the subscriber's level of service for premium channels/PPV etc.

Addressable On-Screen Display (OSD)

Image superimposed on a screen picture that provides specific information about the display, such as channel number, channel logo or time of transmission.

Adjacency

A commercial time period that is scheduled immediately preceding or following a scheduled programme on the same station in which a TV commercial spot can be placed. Opposite of an in-programme placement. Also called a break position.

ADSL (Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line)

DSL variant that allows for greater bandwidth for incoming than outgoing signals.

Advertiser

Company or other organisation purchasing commercial airtime on television for promotional purposes.

Advertising Agency

An organisation acting as an agent for a producer of goods or services (an advertiser) devoted to developing and placing advertising in order to further the acceptance of a brand product, service, or idea.

Advertising spot

A unit interval (e.g. 10-second, 15-second, 20-second, 30-second, etc.) containing a commercial message supplied by an advertiser for insertion in the transmissions of a TV channel.

Aerial reception

Reception of off-air terrestrial transmissions by means of a collective aerial (MATV) or an individual household aerial that may be located (a) externally (e.g. on the roof), (b) internally and attached to the TV set or (c) internally and built in to the TV set. In some countries with large commercial MATV networks, MATV may be included under cable reception.

Affidavit

A notarised statement from a broadcast station that confirms the commercial actually ran at the time shown on the station's invoice.

Affiliate

A regional/local TV broadcast station bound by a contractual relationship with one or more networks to carry an agreed quantity of network-originated programmes and commercial announcements in parts of the schedule allocated for network programming.

Affinity

A conversion figure between the base audience rating and the target audience rating. E.g. An index of 126 for target audience Adults 15-34 against a base audience of Adults 15+ means 15-34s performed 26% better.

AFP (Advertiser funded programming)

(see also ASTV (Advertiser Supported Television))

AGF (Germany)

Arbeitsgemeinschaft Fernsehforschung: Group of four (formerly six) TV station families underwriting TAM contract in Germany. AGF includes joint industry representation on the board and in the supervising committees.

Aggregated viewing data

Processed viewing data that have been converted into total viewing estimates (e.g. programme, commercial break, advertising spot, second-by-second, minute, 5-minute and quarter-hour etc.) and no longer contain information about specific individuals/panel homes (i.e. cannot be used for direct calculations of reach/frequency).

Airing Cost

The cost to air/broadcast a programme.

Airing Date

The date of programme to be aired/broadcasted.

Algorithm

Computational procedure that usually involves a number of steps. For example, the "Algorithm for calculating ratings" is simply the set of sequential steps of computation for calculating ratings from the "raw" viewing data.

AM (Amplitude Modulation)

The transmission of audiovisual signals in which the amplitude of a transmitting wave is modulated as a function of its intensity.

AMOL (Automated measurement of Line-ups)

Term used in the USA to refer to unique programme codes. (see also Embedded signal)

Amount of viewing (daily/weekly average)

Total amount of live or consolidated viewing across all channels/other sources included under total viewing.

Analogue

General term for all radio frequency wave signals in the form of continuously variable quantities. Analogue signal information is superimposed on a modulated carrier wave (unlike digital signals which are made up of discrete pulses). Analogue TV channels have two carrier waves: one for audio (FM) and one for video (AM).

Announcement

Another term for Advertising spot or Commercial. (see also Advertising spot)

Antenna

A structure or devise used to receiving or transmitting electromagnetic waves.

AOR (Agency-of-record)

An advertising or media buying agency belonging to a group of agencies serving the same advertiser that has a privileged status in terms of being awarded special contracts or assignments that cover the group. (e.g. media buyer negotiating commercial airtime deals with TV stations on behalf of all agencies within the group, who may have a restricted role in supplying the advertiser with supporting media planning services only).

API (Application programming interface)

Set-top box interface that enables the display of EPG's and other interactive applications on the TV screen.

AQH (Average quarter hour) ratings

Term used by some data suppliers that denotes the average audience across quarter-hour unit intervals.

ARF (Canada / USA)

Advertising Research Foundation: National trade association for advertising research in Canada and in the USA.

ARPU (Average Revenue per User)

Measure of customer revenues generated by rental and other pay services in a given period (e.g. annual, quarterly or monthly). Widely used for telephony and internet applications, ARPU is also a standard measure employed by pay-TV services, covering channel and other (e.g. equipment, betting, etc.) subscriptions, PPV and paid for on-demand services.

ASO (Analogue Switch Off)

Mainly used in connection with terrestrial broadcasting, analogue switch-off denotes the cessation of analogue broadcasts, to be replaced by digital broadcasts. In Europe a number of governments have set target analogue switch-off dates between 2008 and 2012. (see also Digital Switchover)

Aspect ratio

Ratio of width of TV picture to its height regardless of the size of the TV screen. Most conventional TV channels employ a 4:3 aspect ratio, but all HDTV, some DTV and some SDTV services employ a larger (typically 16:9) aspect ratio.

ASTRA (Australia)

Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association. Industry body representing the interests of its members by providing a unified voice on issues affecting subscription television. ASTRA represents satellite services, narrowcast television services, programme channel providers, subscription television operators, and communications companies and other associate members.

ASTV (Advertiser Supported Television)

US term for original TV programming that is syndicated to supported independent TV stations for a reduced or zero fee on the television back of financial support from one or more advertisers, in (ASTV) return for which the advertisers are granted commercial space within the programmes offered to the TV stations. The principle is similar to programme barter.

ATO (Czech Republic)

Group of TV stations and programme suppliers overseeing TAM services in the Czech Republic.

ATS (Average Time Spent)

Average of the total minutes viewed divided by the total viewing individuals universe.

Attenuation

The decrease in amplitude of a signal between any two points in a circuit. Usually expressed in decibels. Attenuation is the opposite of amplification.

ATV (Advanced Television)

Term used by FCC (Federal Communications Commission) in the USA for digital television (DTV). (see also DTV (Digital Television))

ATV (Average Time Viewed)

Average of the total minutes viewed divided by the total individual universe.

ATVLI (Indonesia)

Asosiasi TeleVisi Lokal Indonesia. An association whose members are Local TV stations in Indonesia.

ATVSI (Indonesia)

Asosiasi TeleVisi Swasta Indonesia. An association whose members are Privately Owned TV stations in Indonesia.

Audience accumulation

Reach measure denoting the total number of different people (or homes) exposed to a medium over a specified period; such as a half-hour TV programme broadcast.

Audience appreciation (AA) data

Supplementary data collected by some TAM systems that quantify viewer appreciation of programmes on a simple scale (e.g. from 1 = very poor to 10 = very good). TAM systems that produce AA data nearly always collect them from the installed panel sample via the meters, although they could also collect them from independent survey samples using other methods.

Audience composition

The profile of measured audiences to a channel, programme, etc. with respect to selected demographic and/or other variables.

Audience Factor

In TV planning in the UK, a factor based on the number of commercial TV adults, housewives etc. per commercial TV home is applied to estimates of net commercial TV homes to achieve an estimate of audience when only homes data is available.

Audience share

Percentage of total TV viewing across a specified time interval of a given channel, programme or other use of TV set.

Audience turnover

The ratio of the cumulative audience to the average audience across a given period (e.g. programme, daypart).

Audio

Relating to sound or its reproduction; used in the transmission or reception of sound.

Audio comparison method

Technique of signal identification in which the meter collects sample audio data from images displayed on the TV screen, which it matches against an array of known signals from a central reference source in order to establish the identity of the measured signals.

Audio matching

(see also Audio comparison method)

Auditel (Italy)

Joint industry committee responsible for TAM data supply in Italy.

Auditor (TAM)

Individual or company who evaluates the TAM system and its data quality.

Avail

Availability of a commercial position/time slot in a scheduled commercial break on a given TV channel/network that is available for purchase by an advertiser.

Average audience

The average number of individuals (homes or target groups) viewing a TV channel over a given interval (e.g. programme, daypart).

Average minutes per person (Avg Min/Pn)

The average minutes viewed per person for the time period selected calculated against the total universe of the target audience.

Average minutes per viewer (Avg Min/Vw)

The average minutes viewed per person for the time period selected calculated against only those viewing at the time.

AVI (Audio Video Interleave)

Multimedia container format introduced by Microsoft in November 1992 as part of the Video for Windows technology. AVI files contain both audio and video data in a standard container that allows simultaneous playback.

B

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B2B

Business to business service.

Back channel

A return communications pathway between users and content providers, such as an Internet connection using a modem.

Backhaul

(1) Backbone telecommunications pathways used for transporting traffic from central site(s) to distribution sites (viz. local exchanges) to end users, and vice versa. (2) One-to-one uplink feeds to satellite for sending broadcast TV signals to the studio.

Bandwidth/ Bandwidth capacity

Measure of transmission capacity that specifies the complete frequency range over which a circuit, transmission channel, or electronic system is allocated to function. Transmission channels requiring large capacity, such as digital TV channels with high levels of interactivity are sometimes described as "bandwidth hungry".

Banner (advertisement)

A graphical internet advertising unit, often including links to another page or website selected by the advertiser, which the user accesses by clicking on the ad.

BAR (Broadcast Advertiser Reports)

A media research supplier concentrating on the reporting of television commercial purchases.

BARB (United Kingdom)

Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Joint industry committee responsible for TAM data supply in the United Kingdom.

Base Unit

Meter installed on all TV sets within the home, generating statements of who is watching and what is being viewed. (see also Slave Meter)

Basic Cable

TV and radio channels that may be included in the "basic" service agreement between a cable subscriber and a cable TV operator and for which the operator charges a monthly fee. The offer will comprise low pay channels, but exclude mini-pay TV channels on more advanced tiers and likewise exclude premium pay-TV channels and PPV/other on demand services.

Baud Rate

The measure of the speed of transmission of a digital code.

BBM (Canada)

BBM Bureau of Measurement: Non-profit making tripartite co-operative originally established by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) and the Association of Canadian Advertisers (ACA). It conducts its own audience measurement surveys for television and radio.

BER (Bit Error Rate)

The fraction of bits transmitted that are received incorrectly.

Between programme break

Commercial break placed between two different programmes. Also known as an End Break (EB).

Billboard

Airtime awarded to a programme sponsor at the beginning/end of a sponsored programme or at the beginning/end of commercial breaks within the programme for showing the sponsor credits. Also known as Break Bumper or Sponsorship Bumper in the UK.

Bit

Elementary unit of information/data stored as a choice between two mutually exclusive possibilities such as 1 or 0 in binary notation.

Bit-rate

Transmission speed expressed as the number of bits per second (b/s or bps), but more often expressed as multiples (e.g. 1 kbps = 1,000 bps; 1 Mbps = 1,000,000 bps; 1 Gbps = 1,000,000,000 bps). Bit-rates denote the amount of information that can be transferred in a given time interval. Video applications are highly bit-rate intensive. The required bit-rates depend on a number of factors, such as desired picture quality, sampling rate of original material, compression algorithms, method of encoding, amount of information contained in the samples (e.g. very high for sports, lower for studio interviews). Typical present day requirements are 1Mbps for VHS, 5 Mbps for DVD and 15 Mbps for HDTV.

Blog (Blogging)

Web site on which internet users make regular entries. Most blogs are based around a particular theme, with readers encouraged to add comments. Blogs typically contain a number of pages of related topics, along with links to other blogs and web sites. Forms include text, video (vblog), photographs (photoblog), or audio (podcasting) Authors of blog sites are known as bloggers.

Bluetooth

Wireless standard and communications protocol for short-range connections and exchanges of information between devices such as PCs, PDAs, mobile phones, printers, headset, video game consoles, etc., using a secure, globally unlicensed short-range radio frequency.

Blu-ray Disc

Ultra-high-density optical disc format for the storage of digital media, including high-definition video.

Body Programme

Programme content only, without commercial break

Bouquet

Selection of general and thematic TV channels that are offered as a package to subscribing households.

BPS (Indonesia)

Biro Pusat Statistik: Indonesian Government’s official statistical organisation.

Break

(see also Commercial Break)

Break Position

A commercial aired between programmes as opposed to in-programme. Also called Adjacency. In the UK, Break Position is used to describe the position of a commercial spot within a break e.g. first in break/last in break.

Broadband

Wired transmission pathway with greater bandwidth capacity than is required for high-grade voice communications. Term is also widely used to denote cable systems with high bandwidth capacity that are able to relay large numbers of TV channels and other electronic services, including Internet access, and provide return pathways that permit subscribers two-way communications and interactivity.

Broadband cable

Cable networks with high bandwidth capacity for delivering multiple TV channels and other electronic interactive services, such as cable telephony and Internet access, which may be marketed separately.

Broadband services

Term widely used to denote on-screen interactive services offered by broadband cable systems, such as e-mail and Internet access. Because of their high bandwidth capacity broadband cable systems have the potential advantage of offering faster access and communications than other competing technologies, as well as services such as video telephony or on-demand video that require large bandwidth capacity.

Broadcast

Over-the-air transmission of TV channel programming from a central broadcast source to multiple homes in the channel reception area via a network of land transmitters or via satellite.

Broadcast coverage area

TV channel can be received according to technical criteria of signal quality. The broadcast coverage area is also referred to as the technical reach of the channel.

Broadcaster

Company/organisation broadcasting one or more TV channels.

Broadcasting

Distribution of audio and/or video signals (programs) to a number of recipients ("listeners" or "viewers") that belong to a large group. This group may be the public in general, or a relatively large audience within the public.

Buffering

Buffer is a generic term for computer memory storage. Among the uses of the term, buffering refers to the advance storage and queuing of transmitted video content over wired systems before its display on screen in order to preserve picture quality when there is variable bandwidth capacity and the quality of service (QoS) cannot be guaranteed at any given moment.

Bumper In - bumper out

A term used for a short duration advertisement (usually 5 second) that is placed before a programme begins (bumper in) and after the programme ends (bumper out)

Burn a CD/DVD

Act of recording audiovisual content on a CD or DVD

Burst

Period of concentrated advertising activity, usually lasting several weeks, that is aimed at achieving high frequency and awareness at the time of the campaign and in the period immediately afterwards.

Byte

Basic data unit, comprising groups of 8 data bits that are processed together.

C

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CAANZ (New Zealand)

Communication Agencies Association of New Zealand (www.caanz.co.nz).

Cable franchise area

Geographic area in which a cable operator has been licensed to install a cable system.

Cable modem

A data modem that utilises the bandwidth of a cable system. Because of their much greater bandwidth capacity, Broadband cable systems can offer Internet access via cable modems at much faster rates than conventional telephone lines.

Cable network

(see also Cable television system)

Cable operator

Company/organisation running a cable network.

Cable reception

Reception of television transmissions, from whatever originating source (i.e. whether terrestrial, satellite or cable) by a wired cable television (CATV) system serviced by a cable operator. TAM systems may sometimes classify MATV and/or SMATV as cable reception depending on local market structural distinctions that are found to be most relevant.

Cable television system

Wired transmission system serviced by a cable operator, who receives television transmissions centrally and relays them to subscribers via a cable headend across a cable network.

Campaign

A promotional effort over a specified interval based on the same strategy and creative idea. TV advertising campaigns typically consist of a schedule of advertising spots that are transmitted in one or more discrete batches lasting several weeks or longer or at lower intensity over longer and more continuous periods. (see also Burst, Drip)

Campaign period (advertising)

Interval spanning from the first to the last days of a campaign schedule of advertising spots.

Campaign planning software

Predictive software used by media planners to estimate the audience for a schedule of advertising spots.

CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interview)

Method of conducting face-to-face interviews with the use of a personal computer for prompting questions and recording answers.

Carriage fee

Small monthly fee per subscriber, which is normally paid by pay-TV service providers/platform operators to the channels they carry, although the reverse can also apply depending on available capacity, channel demand and conditions of service pricing, which vary greatly from country to country.

Cash Discount

A discount granted by the media supplier to an advertiser for payment within a certain period of time - e.g., a 2 percent discount if payment is made within ten days of invoice.

Catch-up TV

TV service that makes broadcast programming available on-demand for a specified period after the real-time broadcast (e.g. 7-day catch-up TV)

CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interview )

Method of conducting interviews over the telephone with the use of a personal computer for prompting questions and recording answers.

CATV (Community Antenna TV)

Another term for cable television system or cable network. Key defining criteria are that the CATV system must relay cable transmissions to multiple dwellings on multiple premises and is serviced by a cable operator who charges a monthly per subscriber fee.

CATV (Conditional Access TV)

The system used by pay TV operators to ensure that only paying subscribers are able to access their content. The system involves complex coding sent out from the broadcast headend and then interpreted within the STB by a smartcard or similar device.

CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interview)

Similar piece of software as CAPI/CATI but as a Web-authoring version. Respondents can answer the questions either at home or in their workplace, even with several interruptions. (see also CAPI, CATI)

CB (Centre Break)

(see also Within Programme Break)

Cbb (Closing Break Bumper)

(see also Obb (Opening Break Bumper))

CDN (Content Delivery Network)

Network of computers acting in co-operation in order to deliver content to end users over the internet

Cell Panel Control

Panel control consisting of two or more interlocking variables.

Cell-matrix panel control

Panel control consisting of two or more interlocking panel variables.

Cell-matrix weighting

Method of weighting that employs a single matrix of interlocking variables for adjusting the actual sample profile to the target sample profile.

Cellular interface

Meter interface with cellular phone connection.

Census

The process of collecting vital information on the social, economic and housing characteristics of every member of a population. In contrast to sampling where information is only obtained from a subset of a population.

Central processing base

Term sometimes used to refer to the central data collection, storage and processing system at the offices of the data supplier.

Chain Break

The time between network programmes when a network affiliated station identifies itself to viewers and during which commercial announcements are aired. (see also Commercial Break)

Channel coverage

Number of individuals/TV homes that can receive a channel, as determined by technical reach data or by other distribution and/or marketing criteria. Channel coverage is often expressed as a percentage of the total survey population.

Channel frequency map

List of TV channels/other signal sources and their associated frequencies that are found and recorded for each monitored TV set in the home during an exhaustive tuning check by the panel technicians and later used to identify signal transmission sources in meter systems that measure frequencies.

Channel mapping

A feature of some TV sets, VCR's and set-top boxes which allows them to receive the transmissions of a TV channel in the same tuning position even if it has moved to a different frequency.

Channel penetration

Estimated percentage of TV homes within the survey universe that (a) can receive and (b) have one or more of their TV sets tuned to a given TV channel. The definition may include stipulations about acceptable picture quality.

Channel reception

TV channels that can be received by a given TV set or TV home, as determined by an exhaustive check of tuning frequencies.

Channel share

Estimated audience share of a TV channel. (see also Audience Share)

Channel tuning/ viewing via satellite receiver

Selection of satellite TV channels via the tuner belonging to the satellite receiver.

Channel tuning/ viewing via VCR

Selection of TV channels during viewing by means of the VCR tuner.

Channel viewing repertoire

Average number of channels that viewers within a selected population group (e.g. Satellite TV homes, multichannel TV homes, etc.) watch at least once during a specified interval (e.g. day, week, month).

Checkerboarding

The standard method of scheduling programs in prime time by offering different programs in the same time period every night. This is the opposite of "strip" programming, in which the same series airs different episodes in the same time period every day. Strip programme scheduling is the prevailing form for all other dayparts except prime time.

Churn (rate)

Index of turnover applied to commercial pay-TV systems as a whole or to channel packages, especially premium pay-TV services. It is an important indicator of pay-TV service performance, which may be defined in several ways. The usual method of estimating churn is to divide the number of subscriber disconnections during a set period by the average number of subscribers during that period. This produces a result representing an annualised percentage.

CI (Completed interview)

Interview with eligible survey respondent that has been successfully completed and validated.

CIM (Belgium)

Centrum voor Informatie over de Media/Centre d'Information sur les Medias: Non-profit-making joint industry committee overseeing circulation audits for press, internet sites and outdoor posters as well as being responsible for all audience measurement to do with the display advertising media.

Claimed weight of viewing

Panel classification variable based on separate establishment survey data that record claimed weight of household viewing. Some TAM systems use claimed weight of viewing for a panel control as a precaution against sample bias due to differential acceptance/installation rates amongst heavier and lighter viewing households.

Cluster

Grouping several commercials together during one break.

Coaxial cable

Transmission technology used by broadband data and cable systems that consist of transmitting electrical signals down conducting wires with protective insulation.

Co-channel interference

Interference on a channel due to another signal on the same channel.

Codec

A codec (Coder-Decoder) is a piece of hardware or software for encoding and decoding digital audio and video signals.

Coder

Device for converting a signal in one form into another, digital form, to meet the requirements of a particular form of communication

Commercial

Advertisement, announcement, spot or message aired on television, radio or cable which is paid for by an advertiser

Commercial airtime quota

Airtime minutage that is available for advertising according to international and national rules that vary greatly across different countries. The rules may also vary for different types of TV station within the same country. For example, public service stations that receive mixed public and advertising funding may be subject to stricter quotas than other channels. Likewise, licensed terrestrial commercial analogue services are often subject to more stringent quotas than other cable and satellite channels as a condition of their licences. Lastly the rules will often additionally specify the distribution of commercial minutage by time of day, the frequency and positioning of commercial breaks within and between programmes, the duration of commercial breaks and other requirements, such as the obligation on some TV channels to sell all their airtime in order to limit TV channel manipulation of advertising demand and consequent airtime prices.

Commercial and Programme Logs

Record of all commercials and programmes transmitted by TV channels. The information may be provided by the TV channel itself or by an independent source and is matched against processed individual viewing statements so as to permit viewing figures for specific commercials and programmes. The logs may contain additional information, such as programme genre codes, which can be used to estimate and report audiences for different kinds of programming.

Commercial break

An interval during which advertisements are shown within television transmissions.

Commercial ratings

Audiences for advertising commercial spots.. Different TAM systems employ different algorithms for computing commercial ratings/GRPs for minute by minute or second by second GRP measures. (see also GRP (Gross Rating Point))

Commercial TV

Profit-making TV channels/services that rely on commercial advertising, pay-TV or other (e.g. telephone voting) payment revenues from their audiences.

Community Television

Television stations owned and operated by "communities" rather than governments, business or television industry professionals. They may be funded through government grants or subsidies, sponsorship, membership, or a combination.

Competition Mapping

A mapping of the performances of competing TV stations.

Compression/Data compression

Technology for improving the transmission rates and/or decreasing the bandwidth requirements of digital TV services that entails the reduction of the digital data files through removing redundant information. The compression technology is fundamental for allowing service providers to squeeze multiple digital TV channels and other services on to a single carrier frequency that would permit only one analogue TV channel.

Computer bureaux

(see also Softwarehouse)

Concentration Index

A number indicating a percentage difference between one value and a benchmark value for comparison. The benchmark value, however defined, is fixed at 100. Accordingly, an index of 110 indicates a positive absolute difference of 10 percentage points (or 10% relative difference); whilst an index of 90 indicates a negative absolute difference of 10 percentage points (or a -11% relative difference).

Concurrent viewing

Same individual registered as a viewer for two or more TV sets at the same time.

Conditional access

Encryption technology for preventing unauthorised access to TV channels and other services. (see also Encryption)

Confidence Interval

Term used in parametric statistics to specify the margin of error associated with a particular survey estimate for a given level of significance. For example, 95% confidence interval denotes the range of values surrounding the survey estimate within which there is a 95% probability that the true population value will lie. Depending on the level of certainty required, higher or lower probability values may be used to specify the confidence interval.

Confidence Limits

The lower and upper boundaries/values of a confidence interval, that is, the values which define the range of a confidence interval.

Connectivity

Widely employed general term for designating the interoperability and ability of TV, PC and other video/audio equipment to communicate with one another in the home or over a network (e.g. P2P file sharing). (see also File sharing)

Consolidated Audience

The consolidated audience is the sum of the live and timeshift audiences.

Consolidated viewing

Sum of live and all timeshifted viewing of television transmissions within a set time interval after the transmissions (Note: definition allows for the same viewer to be counted more than once as a viewer of a transmission).

Constant viewing

Long viewing session without any change in registered set use or viewer presence. Constant viewing is used by some TAM systems as a quality control during data validation.

Content aggregator

Company or organisation that gathers material for distribution to end users after acquiring the necessary rights

Content protection

General term for protection of copyright, whether via conditional access and encryption of broadcast signals or DRM measures relating to digital networks

Contract period

Period of data purchase/delivery as agreed between the data supplier and its clients. Formal JIC or MOC industry contracts typically run from five to ten years, with extension options included.

Contract specification

Technical terms of survey content, data delivery and terms of purchase as laid down in TAM contracts between data suppliers and their clients.

Contracting party(s)

Parties to JIC, MOC and TRCC organisations that contract TAM services from one or more data suppliers.

Contractor

Data supplier contracted by an industry body/organisation to supply TAM data as specified by the contract.

Convergence

The delivery of several types of content (e.g. TV broadcasts, Web TV, hi-fi audio, etc.) to a single receiver and output source. The introduction of digital technology has greatly expanded the potential for convergent applications on the TV screen.

Conversion Factor

An assumed scaling factor that may be used for converting a measure classified by one criterion (e.g. household rating) into a measure classified by a different criterion (e.g. Adults 25-44).

Converter

Device for changing the frequency of a signal. Converters are commonly used (a) by cable and other TV distribution systems that entail reception of incoming signals and retransmission to viewers on locally available frequencies as well as (b) for enabling reception of digital TV signals on analogue TV sets. (see also Decoder)

Cost efficiency

Financial performance measure of a schedule of advertising spots that is calculated by dividing the price paid by the audience delivery with reference to the target audience(s) of the advertising campaign. The principal measures of cost efficiency are Cost per rating point (CPR) and Cost per thousand (CPT or CPM).

Couch Potato

A name given to individuals who watch large amounts of television.

Cover

Derivative terms like 1+ cover and 4+ cover denote the percentage of the target audience that has been exposed to a schedule of advertising spots at least a certain number of times (e.g. at least once, at least four times, etc). (see also Reach)

Coverage

Number of individuals/homes that can receive or are exposed to a medium. (see also Channel coverage)

Coverage Area

The number or percentage of TV households that could receive a programme. Coverage reflects the ability to view, not actual viewing.

Coverage Area Rating

The estimate of the size of the audience relative to the total number of homes or people that can receive this channel.

Co-Viewing

Defines the condition where members of a reference target are the focus on an analysis only if they are watching TV together with other members, chosen according specific demographics. An example of a Co-Viewing target is Females watching with Children.

CP

Campaign period.

CPC (Cost-per-click)

Pricing model for online advertising based on charging advertisers a set fee per click on their advertisement(s)

CPE (Consumer Premises Equipment)

Equipment that subscribers to a service must install in their homes in order to receive it (e.g. set-top Box with PVR functionality, wireless router, etc.)

CPM (Cost-per-metric)

Pricing model for online advertising in which the total number of impressions determines the total cost of the campaign.

CPP / CPRP (Cost per Rating Point)

The average cost of achieving one commercial rating point (i.e. advertising GRP) with a 30 second advertising spot (or other standard unit of airtime) for a given target audience. CPP's are widely used as a measure of the cost efficiency of advertising campaigns or for comparing price differences across different TV stations. The alternative widely used measure of cost efficiency is advertising Cost per thousand (CPT or CPM).

CPT / CPM (Cost per Thousand)

The average cost of achieving 1,000 advertising impacts against a specified target audience. The alternative widely used measure of cost efficiency is advertising Cost per TARP (CPT). CPTs/CPMs are widely used as a measure of the cost efficiency of advertising campaigns or for comparing price differences across different TV stations. The alternative widely used measure of cost efficiency is advertising Cost per rating point (CPR or CPRP).

Criterion of viewing

Instruction to survey respondent on when to record himself/herself as a viewer. In peoplemeter measurement, this equates with the instructions of when panel members or their guests should register their presence as viewers (e.g. "In the room with TV set on and watching", or "in the room with TV set on", etc.)

Cross-border overspill

Overspill of domestic TV station signals into neighbouring countries.

Cross-sectional data analysis

Analysis of aggregated data, that is based on sample estimates of audience size/volume and composition per unit time interval. Key output measures are audience ratings, amount of viewing and audience share.

CSS (Content Scramble System)

DRM scheme used on some DVDs. (see also DRM (Digital Rights Management))

CSV (Coincidental study of viewing)

Parallel surveys of viewing for checking the accuracy of the main survey. CSV's are either "internal", based on the same sample as the main survey, or "external", being based on a separate independent sample. External CSV's are rarely used in TAM research, but most peoplemeter panels employ internal CSV's (usually once or twice a year) as a systematic quality control for checking (a) the accuracy of key panel classification variables that are liable to change (e.g. household size, number of TV sets) and (b) the accuracy of viewer registration through comparing the CSV claims with contemporary meter records.

CTR (Click-through rate)

Unit of measurement of online advertising that may be defined as (1) the number of users that clicked on an ad on a web page divided by the total number of times the ad was delivered, or (2) the number of clicks on an ad on a web page divided by the number of times the ad was delivered

CTS (Content tracking system)

Content identification technology based on comparison of audio signatures used for a variety of TAM applications. Its principle of operation includes generating signatures from the unknown content's audio track and comparing those signatures against identical signatures generated for all measured content streams (e.g. "TV channels").

Cume (Cumulative) Rating

(see also Reach)

Cut off

A term used for buying a programme, by which the programme bought is the sole property of the buying TV station

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DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting)

International transmission technical standard for digital radio services.

Daily reporting sample

(see also Net daily reporting sample (in-tab sample))

Data accessibility

Degree to which client users can access data generated by a TAM system. Different users may enjoy different levels of access. The degree of access is partly a function of the data which Users are permitted to examine and partly a function of the software options for analysis.

Data availability

Availability of TAM data to different interest groups: not just the primary users comprising advertisers, media buyers and media owners, but also secondary users comprising software houses/computer bureaux, market research companies, trade press and other potential interest groups.

Data Compression

A technique that saves storage space by eliminating gaps, empty fields, redundancies, or unnecessary data to shorten the length of records or blocks.

Data Fusion

Market research output that combines data from two separate, though not necessarily independently drawn, survey samples by means of pairing individuals from each contributing sample on the basis of socio-demographic and/or other data. It may be used as an alternative to single source survey research in order not to over-burden survey respondents with the collection of two sets of research data

Data reporting threshold

Threshold of acceptable sample size for permitting data access. There are considerable practice variations across different TAM systems. Within Europe, about half the TAM systems employ thresholds for warning users when sample sizes for analysis are low and consequently unstable. Slightly fewer employ blocking thresholds that prevent access when sample sizes are considered unacceptably low for analysis.

Data supplier

Market Research company engaged in the collection and production of TAM data for delivery to the market.

Datacasting

Broadcasting of information and other data services via digital TV, often as a supplementary offering to enhance the appeal of digital TV channels.

Day after recall

Method of collecting audience data in interview surveys or self-completion questionnaires that ask respondents to recall their viewing or other activities on the previous days. Some surveys change the recall period to more than one day (e.g. two-day recall or up to seven-day recall) or may use past 24 hour recall as an alternative to day after recall.

Daypart

Division of the broadcast day constituting a single timeband (e.g. early morning: 06.00-09.00; peak or prime time: 19.00-23.00, etc.). Most TAM systems divide the day into about eight dayparts (e.g. Early morning; Mid to late morning; Lunchtime; Early to mid afternoon; Late afternoon; Peak/Prime time, Late evening; Night). The dayparts correspond with broad variations in audience size and composition across the broadcast day.

DB (Delayed broadcast)

The term give to a network TV programme that is delayed for airing in a given market at a different time than the time it airs nationally.

DBS (Direct broadcasting by satellite)

Hangover term coined during the eighties to refer to WARC (World Administrative Radio Conference) international provisions for direct broadcasting by satellite. The WARC plan envisaged allocating each country five K band frequencies for high power analogue satellite transmissions that would permit nationwide reception with dishes no greater than 90 cm in diameter. Several national projects were developed during the early eighties; however, the DBS projects were rapidly superseded by major technological advances that created room for a far greater number of TV channels to be broadcasted by medium power satellites using a different part of the radio frequency spectrum and at much lower costs.

DCT (Digital cable TV)

Digital television services transmitted via cable.

Decoder

Device (also called Converter) that decodes digital transmission signals and converts them for display on to the TV set.

Decoder interface

Interface between a meter and a set-top decoder that permits the monitoring of signals passing through the decoder.

Definitive viewing (data)

Final complete set of viewing statements from which quantitative estimates of viewing are generated.

Delay

The elapsed time between the instant when user information is submitted to the network and when it is received by the user at the other end.

Demographic variable

Population variable for classifying individuals or households in terms of personal or family characteristics. Examples include Region; Type of settlement; Household size; Age; Sex; Social grade/Socio-economic level; Work status; Occupation; Education; Presence of children; Life stage.

Descrambler

An electronic circuit that restores a scrambled video signal to its standard form.

DFM (Direct frequency measurement)

Method of identifying channels by means of metering their frequencies and comparing these against the channel map for the TV set or other input source being monitored.

Dial-up

Traditional method of internet access that hooks up the PC using a modem and telephone line. Also known as narrowband. It is significantly slower than broadband.

Diary measurement

General term for family of TAM methodologies in which survey respondents record their viewing in diaries. Diary samples may be discrete or they may constitute short or long term panels. TAM diaries normally consist of booklets with one page, or a double-page spread, for each day of the week. There is considerable scope for variation in terms of format, unit intervals of measurement (e.g. quarter hour/five minute), criteria of viewing selection of sample (i.e. household or individual), instructions on when to fill in and methods of administration and collection. National diary TAM systems have given way to national peoplemeter TAM systems in most countries, but diaries are still commonly used in larger countries for regional/local audience measurement or for collecting data from rural areas.

Digital

General term for all radio frequency wave signals that have been transformed into binary units of data (bits). The transformation of all video and audio signal information into bits is fundamental to expanding the opportunities for multimedia and convergent applications sharing the same output source (i.e. TV or PC screen).

Digital audio player

Device for playing, storing and organising digital music files.

Digital compression

An engineering technique for converting an analogue television signal into a digital format. A rule of thumb is that ten digital channels fit into the spectrum of a single analogue channel.

Digital Set Top Box

A device which accepts digital encoded television broadcasts and converts them to display on an analogue television set. New boxes with added functionality provide local storage of programming on hard discs, and Internet access.

Digital switchover

Mainly used in connection with terrestrial broadcasting, digital switchover denotes the replacement of analogue with digital broadcasts, for which prior analogue switch-off is a prerequisite condition

Digitisation

Process of converting an analogue signal into digital format

Disaggregated viewing data

Same as Elementary or Respondent level viewing data - Processed viewing data held at the level of individual respondents. The basic components of disaggregated viewing data are individual viewing statements consisting of complete time records across each broadcasting day of all viewing sessions by every family member and guest on all metered TV sets in the home. (see also Individual viewing statements)

Dish Antenna

A high-grain antenna, shaped like a dish, which is used for the transmission and reception of ultra-high-frequency and microwave signals.

Disproportional sampling

Sampling in which different sub-populations have different probabilities of selection, resulting in over-sampling/under-sampling of some groups compared with others. Disproportional sampling by selected region(s) is quite common in TAM research.

Distribution platform

Method of delivering a TV service consisting of a large number of TV channels and other offerings that are marketed as a single entity. Term mainly applies to DTV services, which may occupy satellite, cable or terrestrial platforms, but may also cover commercial cable and satellite subscription services in analogue.

DivX

Video codec created by DivX, Inc. (formerly DivXNetworks, Inc.), which has become popular due to its ability to compress lengthy video segments into small sizes while maintaining relatively high visual quality.

DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting)

Digital radio transmission system capable of operating in the VHF, UHF and L-Band frequency bands and based on the Eureka 147 DAB standard for sending multimedia (TV, radio and data) content to mobile devices, such as mobile phones. Introduction of DMB services in full or trial form has commenced in 2006.

DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act)

A US copyright law which criminalizes production and dissemination of technology that can circumvent measures taken to protect copyright, not merely infringement of copyright itself, and heightens the penalties for copyright infringement on the Internet

DNS (domain name system)

Stores and associates many types of information with domain names, but most importantly, it translates domain names (computer hostnames) to IP addresses. It also lists mail exchange servers accepting e-mail for each domain. In providing a worldwide keyword-based redirection service, DNS is an essential component of contemporary Internet use.

Domestic TV channel

Any TV channel whose programmes and/or advertising are specifically targeted at national, regional or local audiences within the country of reception. The definition is independent of the point of origin of the broadcasts. At the same time the same TV channel may be broadcasted as a domestic service to more than one national market.

Downlink

Signal pathway from the satellite to the earth.

Download

Reception of data from a remote system, such as a web site or FTP server and related systems. Upload is the exact opposite

Downstream

Term used widely in interactive TV (iTV terms) to refer to the signal pathway from the service provider (e.g. cable operator) to the home. This will usually have higher bandwidth demands than the upstream return path from the home to the service provider. Opposite of Upstream.

Drip

Continuous low intensity advertising over an extended period, usually aimed at giving regular reminders to viewers.

DRM (Digital Rights Management)

Sum of technologies employed by rights owners/content providers for authorising access and limiting use of content transmitted over a digital network in accordance with the copyright terms. DRM applies primarily to IPTV content. One of the key aims is to prevent unauthorized duplication of content and transmission to other parties via file sharing or portable storage items such as CDs.

Drop-down menu

On-screen text menu offered by interactive digital TV channels that viewers can call up with their remote control handsets.

DRTV (Direct Response TV)

DRTV is based on using TV infomercials or spots to permit or encourage consumers to directly respond to the advertiser.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

Generic term for technologies that permit the delivery of broadband services over voice telephony networks.

DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Device)

Network device, usually located in the local exchange, for letting telephone lines make faster connections with the Internet. The DSLAM connects the customer's DSL with the core backbone network

DSP (Digital Signal Processing)

Study of the digital representation of signals, often involving the digitisation of analogue signals, which may subsequently be de-converted into analogue form for onscreen display. DSP may take place in a number of different domains, such as time, space and frequency. Applications include digital image processing and video compression

DST (Digital satellite television)

Digital services transmitted via satellite and received directly by means of individual satellite dishes or via SMATV connections.

DTH

Direct-To-Home satellite transmission and reception - TV transmissions via satellite intended for "direct-to-home" reception in households equipped with parabolic dish antenna.

DTT (Digital terrestrial)

Digital TV broadcasted terrestrially over the air for reception by television (DTT) aerial antennae.

DTV (Digital Television)

General term for TV services that are transmitted into the home digitally, where they are received either by a set-top box decoder, which converts them into analogue form for display on a conventional analogue TV set, or by an integrated digital TV receiver.

Duplication

Audience overlap across successive unit intervals of measurement.

DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting)

Collection of open standards for digital television maintained by the DVB Project. The family of DVB standards includes DVB-S (satellite), DVB (cable) DVB-T (terrestrial) and DVB-H (mobile handsets). DVB standards also cover conditional access (DVB-CA), software platforms for consumer video applications (DVB-MHP) and return channels.

DVB Project

Industrial consortium of 270 members for the development and promotion of DVB standards, as published by the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) comprising the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (ECES) and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). DVB standards are widely used inside and outside Europe .

DVD (Digital versatile/video disc)

Disc containing audiovisual materials in video for display on the TV screen by means of a DVD player.

DVD (Digital Video Disc) player

Device for playing, but not recording digital video discs.

DVDR player

Device for playing and recording digital video discs.

DVR (Digital Video Recorder)

Devices that allow TV viewers to Timeshift, pause and fast forward (until real time) using hard-drive video storage. (see also PVR (Personal Video Recorder))

Dynamic variable

Variable that is unstable in terms of a rapidly changing population profile. This is most likely to apply to equipment and other TV related variables (e.g. multiset homes, cable, DTH reception, digital reception, Internet access, etc.) during periods of strong growth.

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EACA (Europe)

European Association of Communications Agencies (formerly European Association of Advertising Agencies): European trade association for advertising agencies/media specialists.

EB (End Break)

(see also Between programme Break)

EBU (Europe)

European Broadcasting Union: International professional and trade association of national television and public radio service broadcasters in 52 countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East and 45 associate members in 28 countries from other regions.

e-commerce

Purchase of products and services over the Internet.

EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) or EGPRS (Enhanced GPRS)

Digital mobile phone technology that allows for increased data transmission rate and improved data transmission reliability. It is generally classified as a 2.75G network technology. EDGE has been introduced into GSM networks around the world since 2003, initially in North America.

Editing in/out

Phase of cleaning polled meter records (i.e. "raw" meter statements) during data processing/validation. The rules may either be for editing data in (varies largely for assigning uncovered viewing) or for editing data out (e.g. elimination of unassigned uncovered viewing, deletion or partial deletion of viewing records when concurrent viewing is encountered).

EEET (Cyprus)

Epitropi Elenhou Ereynon Tileorasis (TV audience research control committee): Joint industry committee of TV stations, advertisers, media buyers and market research companies supervising TAM data supply and surrounding technical issues in Cyprus.

EEET (Greece)

Epitropi Elenhou Ereynon Tileorasis (TV audience research control committee): Joint industry committee of TV stations, advertisers, media buyers and market research companies supervising TAM data supply and surrounding technical issues, in Greece.

Effective frequency

The level of exposure frequency at which reach is deemed "effectively" delivered. (see also Effective Reach)

Effective Reach

The number or percentage of a target audience that is exposed to a schedule of advertising spots at a set level of frequency. This will typically specify a lower threshold value indicating the minimum level of exposure deemed as sufficient for "effective" advertising purposes (e.g. 4+ reach) and an upper threshold (e.g. 12+ reach) above which additional exposures are considered as waste.

Effective Sample Size

The size of random sample that would provide the same standard error as the actual sampling plan on which a survey result is based. (see also Equivalent Sample Size)

Efficiency

(see also Cost efficiency)

EGTA (Europe)

European Group of Television Advertising: European trade association of airtime sales organisations or departments representing the interests of about 100 TV stations in 26 countries in Europe (and Korea).

Electronic diary

Diary where respondents record their viewing on a small portable display screen using a light pen.

Elementary viewing data

Same as Disaggregated viewing data - processed viewing data held at the level of individual respondents.

Eligible address/ respondent

Contacted address/respondent that is eligible for selection within the sample.

E-Mail

Multimedia correspondence over the internet.

Embedded gap

Term used in data editing to denote an Interval of uncovered viewing sandwiched between two intervals of covered viewing.

Embedded signal

Supplementary signal (e.g. unique programme code, teletext code, genre code, etc.) contained in TV channel transmissions, which is not part of the audiovisual images appearing on the TV screen, but may be used by the viewer or other party for other purposes; TAM data suppliers may use it for channel or programme identification purposes.

EMRO (Europe)

European Media Research Organizations: International group of experts in national media audience measurement (mainly representatives of market research companies engaged in media research or members of industry committees overseeing media research).

Encryption

Signal encoding employed by pay-TV operators to confine reception to authorised users equipped with Smartcards for de-encrypting their signals and prevent unauthorised "pirate" reception of their signals.

Enforced (panel) turnover

Homes dropped from a panel on the initiative of the data supplier. The principal categories of enforced turnover are (a) turnover in order to preserve/improve panel balance, (b) turnover to reduce panel age as a precaution against creeping panel bias and/or panel fatigue (with some TAM systems setting a maximum length of service), or (c) turnover due to faulty compliance with panel viewing instructions.

Engagement

Broad terms/buzzword referring to user involvement in the media being consumed.

Enhanced TV

Television programming supplemented with extra datacast materials and/or coverage options in order to enhance its appeal to viewers (e.g. drop-down menu displays giving details of accommodation and sightseeing opportunities at a holiday destination described in a travel programme).

Entry package

Minimum basic package of channels and services to which subscribers to analogue or digital pay TV services must sign up.

Enumeration survey

Survey aimed at providing a population count of households/ household size. Enumeration surveys may be conducted on their own, independently of any other survey (as in USA) or as the initial phase of an establishment or other survey phases, where they are used in order to (a) update population estimates and (b) provide a sampling frame of addresses for designating the establishment survey sample.

EPG (Electronic Programme Guide)

Also called IPG (Interactive Programme Guide) or ESG (Electronic Service Guide) is an on-screen listings guide of TV programming and other on-demand content and services which users may navigate by means of their television remote control handsets or other devices. The information contained in the EPG is broadcast metadata received and read by applications middleware in a Set-top Box. EPGs may offer a wide-range of functions, such as browsing, genre or channel search, marking items for recording on a PVR hard disc, parental locks and so on.

Equipment/TV-related variable

Household variables designating the type of reception, number and type of TV sets and other audiovisual equipment in the home (e.g. ownership of VCR's, DVD's, video games consoles, PC's etc.). They may also be related to viewing habits (e.g. claimed weight or claimed balance of viewing).

Equivalent sample size

Estimate of the effective size of a sample based on sample error after removing the effects of weights and dependencies within the sample caused by clustering (i.e. individuals within the same sample population living in the same household). In practice, measures of effective sample size are usually calculated by examining the effects of panel weights alone. For single audience measures, the effective sample will always be lower than the actual sample on the basis that, the greater the variability of panel weights within the selected sample/sub-sample, the lower the effective sample size. (see also Statistical efficiency value)

ESOMAR (European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research)

World Association of Opinion and Marketing Research Professionals.

Establishment survey

Large-scale survey for collecting establishment, demographic and other household data. The ES provides the basis for deriving population profile estimates and determining target profiles for selected panel control variables (unless taken from other external sources). The ES samples are also generally used as a source of addresses for panel recruitment.

Ethernet

Generic term for wide range of computer-based technologies underpinning communications between devices over local area networks (LANs). Originally devised for communication between computers over a cable co-axial network, it has developed into a complex technology that underpins the vast majority of local computer networks. Ethernet stations communicate by sending data in small packets that carry information about the address and source of the packet. Deployed globally, the Ethernet defines a set of wiring and signal standards for the physical communications, as well as two means of network access and common address formats. (see also LAN (Local Area Network))

Excess viewing

Measured daily individual viewing that exceeds TAM system threshold criteria of extreme length (e.g. 20+ hours). Many TAM systems employ excess viewing as a quality control criteria during data validation.

Exclusive Reach

Individuals who, during the period of analysis, have watched only one channel for at least one minute.

Exit interview

Interview conducted with home leaving the panel, usually for future panel management purposes.

Expansion Factor

(see also Weight Factor)

Exposure

A person's physical contact with an advertising medium or message. In the case of television, exposure to an advertising spot is treated as equal to the measured audience for that spot.

Extension option

Extra period (typically one or two years) that a TAM contract may run beyond its initial expiry date at the discretion of the contracting party.

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FCC (Federal Communications Commission)

US agency that regulates US communications services, including cable television, at federal level

FDDI (Fibre Distributed Digital Interface)

A network based on the use of optical fibre to transmit data at a rate of 100 Mb/s.

Fibre optic to the curb

Variant of FTTH where fibre optic cabling extends to the street, but conventional copper wiring is used for entry into the home. (see also FTTH (Fibre To The Home))

Fibre optics

Technology of data transmission that involves the passage of optical signals along bundles of glass filaments with extremely low signal attenuation.

Field Strength Survey

A survey which is conducted by TV stations for measuring the transmission power

Fieldwork control

A procedure for checking the quality of data collection and ensuring that the survey procedures are being adhered to.

Fieldwork period

Interval over which fieldwork is being carried out.

File-sharing

Making files available as downloads over the Internet or other smaller networks. The term originally applied to client-server downloads, whereby PC users (clients) could access and download content from web sites (servers). Today, the term is used to describe peer-to-peer (P2P) exchanges or networks, by which files are stored on user PCs rather than on central servers, allowing files to be downloaded from multiple PCs. Users wanting to join P2P networks must download and install file-sharing software. Some organisations have adopted the P2P file-sharing model as a way of reducing demand on (and cost to) central host servers. P2P file-sharing has raised major concerns over piracy amongst rights holders, particularly music labels due to the ease of sharing small music files.

Finger-printing

Technique of inserting an extra signal code in a source appearing on the TV screen that enables later recognition. The technique is typically used during video timeshift recording of TV channel transmissions for later identification of timeshift video playback.

First run

Or Premier; a term used for a programme that is broadcasted for the first time in television

Fixed Position

Specification by the advertiser/media buyer of the commercial break (or even position within the commercial break in some markets) that an advertising spot is to appear.

Fixed Potentials

Apply to demographic groups used in the weighting matrix.

Flat screen TV

TV sets lacking the conventional cathode ray tube that can be hung on the wall like pictures.

Flighting

The scheduling of advertising for a period of time, followed by a hiatus, then another "flight" of advertising.

FLO (Local oscillator frequency)

Frequency emitted by tuner in TV set, which permits Direct Frequency Measurement (DFM).

FM (Frequency Modulation)

The transmission of audiovisual signals in which the frequency of a transmitting wave is modulated as a function of its intensity.

Footprint

Geographic, elliptically-shaped reception zone covered by the signal beam of a satellite.

Forced Turnover

Refers to the process which stipulates a maximum period of time that a home can be on the panel. (see also Enforced (panel) Turnover)

Foreign TV channel

Any TV channel that is either an overspill channel (e.g. cross-border terrestrial or satellite channel) targeted at viewers in a different country from the country of reception, or is targeted at an international audience regardless of the location from which it is broadcast.

Fragmentation (Audience)

When broad television audiences break into smaller segments due to multiple viewing choices and niche programming that targets particular demographics.

Free-to-view

Television channels or services for which viewers do not have to pay a subscription or other fee in order to receive them.

Freeze frame

Display of a single (frozen) frame of video.

Frequency

The average number of times that members of a target audience who have been counted at least once as viewers to a schedule of advertising spots (or sequence of programmes), have counted as viewers.

Frequency Discount

A rate discount given to an advertiser who purchases a specific schedule within a specific period of time, e.g., six ads within one year.

Frequency distribution

Distribution showing the percentage of the target audience population who have viewed a schedule of advertising spots (or sequence of programmes) at each level of frequency.

FTA (Free-to-air)

Television channels that are offered free to the end users, who do not have to pay a subscription fee in order to receive them. This category includes publicly funded channels and channels that are financed by advertising only or by a mixture of public funding and advertising revenues.

FtF (Face-to-face) interview

Methodology of data collection by means of a questionnaire, which an interviewer administers face-to-face with the survey respondent.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

Commonly used protocol for exchanging files from one computer to another over the internet

FTTH (Fibre To The Home)

Wired broadband communications technology in which the entire network to the home is constructed out of fibre optic cable. Benefiting from a significant decline in material prices, FTTH is emerging as a viable two-way residential communications technology in several countries, including Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, Italy and the Nordic countries.

Fusion

Data fusion is the process of matching two or more surveys, for example, a survey on television usage and another on product usage. This is done at the individual respondent level to create a single, unified database. From a business perspective, fusion is a way of making the best use of existing marketing information. It is a cost efficient way of getting the most out of existing databases to improve decision making. It is mainly used as a planning tool by agencies or as a sales tool for media owners. Although fusion has only been used in the US for a relatively short time, most European countries use fusion in media research and have done so since the late 1980s.

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GB (Gigabyte)

Unit of computer hard disc storage capacity equal to one billion (1,073,741,824) bytes; not to be confused with Gb (gigabit), which relates to data transfer speeds. (see also Bit rate)

Gb / Gbit (Gigabit)

A unit of information or computer storage

GEAR (Europe)

Group of European Audience Researchers; Association of audience research professionals within public service broadcasting organisations belonging to the EBU.

Generalist channel

General entertainment TV channel without specific thematic content.

Geodemographics

The demographic description of people living in specific geographic regions and types of environment (e.g. settlement size, type of housing, etc.).

GGTAM (Global Guidelines for Television Audience Measurement)

International guidelines sponsored and published by the EBU in collaboration with the Audience Research Methods (ARM) Group comprising representatives from nine international trade associations or groups of professionals: ARF (USA); Canadian ARF; EAAA (now EACA); EGTA; EMRO; ESOMAR; GEAR; PETR; WFA.

Gold standard

Industry declared correct audience values, most often used in connection with viewer ratings. The object of laying down "gold standards" is to prevent disputes between buyers and sellers of commercial airtime over the correct audience figures that have arisen on account of them using different software yielding different estimates of viewing.

Google

Verb denoting use of the Google search engine to find information on the internet.

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)

Mobile telephony technology for GSM mobile networks that adds packet-switching protocols, shorter set-up times for ISP connections and offers the possibility to charge by volume of data sent rather than connect time. In addition to its use for MMS, SMS, WAP access services, GPRS can also be employed for internet web access and e-mail services.

Gross Audience

The Gross Sum of all exposures (number of individuals/homes) without regard of duplication.

Gross impressions

(see also Impact)

Gross panel size

Total sample of panel households/individuals, regardless of whether or not they contribute to the reporting samples.

Grossing up factor

(see also Weight Factor)

GRP (Gross Rating Point)

Unit of audience volume, which is based on the percentage of the target audience population that has viewed a transmission across a unit interval (usually minute by minute audience, but some TAM systems base their GRP estimates on the second by second audience). For example, a GRP of 10 implies an audience size that is equal to 10% of the audience being measured. Meanwhile the total GRP delivery of a schedule of advertising spots is equal to the sum of commercial GRPs/ratings across all the spots contained in the schedule. GRP totals or averages may be estimated for a wide range of different time periods, programme or commercial selections. For purposes of calculating commercial GRPs, commercial GRPs for each advertising spot are typically adjusted to a standard 30 second advertising spot interval.

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)

Most widely used 2G mobile telephony standard in the world that offers key benefits of high digital voice quality and low cost text messaging alternative to making calls.

GSM interface

Interface between a meter and digital GSM phone connection.

Guest

Person not belonging to the household and in any case not part of the designated panel member set, who watches for a certain period of time a TV-set in a panel members home.

Guest viewing

Viewing derived by guests. Guests viewing is registered through specific buttons on the handset together with a limited set of characteristics (usually sex and age). Final data may be processed with or without guests; anyhow, target groups with no information about guest characteristics may be processed only without guests

Guest viewing button(s)

Button(s) on a remote control handset for registering guest viewing.

GUI (graphical user interface)

A particular case of user interface for interacting with a computer which employs graphical images and widgets in addition to text to represent the information and actions available to the user

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HD/DTV

Digital High Definition TV.

HDTV (High Definition TV)

TV signals with at least twice the horizontal and vertical resolution of conventional broadcast TV signals, thereby giving a richer picture with less noticeable grain.

Headend

The control centre of a cable television system where incoming transmissions are received, processed, converted and re-transmitted across the cable network.

Header

Protocol control information located at the beginning of a protocol data unit.

Heavy viewer

Person whose average daily viewing levels satisfy TAM system threshold criterion for classifying that person as a "heavy" viewer.

HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial)

Most commonly found wiring format of cable television systems, where the main trunk cables and larger feeds consist of high capacity fibre optic wires, whilst the local feeds to the home are coaxial.

HH

Commonly used abbreviation for Household or Home, the two terms being equivalent.

Hiatus

A period of non-activity - the period between advertising flights.

Home shopping

On-screen shopping services that may take the form of TV broadcast channels dedicated to home shopping as well as additional interactive text and services.

Homes connected

Number of homes connected and subscribing to one or more services offered by a cable network, including cable television.

Homes passed

Number of homes passed by a cable network that can be connected to it and are available for marketing.

Hours of transmission

Number of hours per day during which a television channel is on air (i.e. transmits programming). The total may vary by day of week or by region.

Hours of viewing

The average daily/weekly number of hours of viewing by a selected audience category to a given TV channel or in total across a selected interval (usually monthly, quarterly or annually).

Housewife/ housekeeper / Household Shopper

Widely employed demographic classification that specifies the person in panel household claiming primary responsibility for the household’s grocery shopping. Precise definitions vary. For example, some systems specify one and only one housewife/housekeeper per household, who may be a man or woman. Others may specify that the housewife/housekeeper has to be a woman, and so on.

HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access)

Advanced 3G mobile telephony protocol enabling UMTS-based 3G networks to achieve higher transmission rates as compared with the standard W-CDMA protocol

HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language)

Predominant programming language for combining text with images that enables the creation of web pages, mostly for delivery via HTTP servers or e-mails

HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)

Method used to transfer or convey information on the World Wide Web: Protocol for transferring information from a web site server for display on in the user's web browser.

HUT (Homes Using TV)

The percentage of homes using (tuned in to) TV at a particular time.

Hybrid (television) services

Television services that combine signals from more than one delivery mode: invariably satellite or terrestrial broadcast reception plus broadband delivery of on-demand, internet and other services

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IARB (Israel)

Israel Audience Research Board: Joint industry body responsible for TAM data supply in Israel.

iDTV (Integrated Digital TV)

TV sets with in-built converters that can receive and display digital TV channels transmitted in the clear without the need of set-top boxes.

IEEE (Institute of Electronics and Electronic Engineers)

World’s largest international non-profit professional organisation, comprising 360,000 members in about 175 countries and responsible for developing and certifying international standards.

IM (instant messaging)

Real-time instant text communications between two or more users via a network, such as the Internet

iMP (Interactive Media Player)

Brand of media player developed by the BBC, taking the form of downloadable software that permits users to access on-demand catch-up TV services

Impact

Unit measure of commercial audience delivery, with one impact being equal to one person's viewing of one 30 second advertising spot. Impacts also referred to as Gross impressions.

Impact delivery

Sum of impacts across a schedule of advertising spots. Impact delivery is most commonly used as a measure of the total commercial audience delivered by a TV channel.

Impact weights

Weights applied to advertising spots of different lengths in order to adjust them to the standard 30 second length. Impacts may be weighted by (a) duration (e.g. impact delivery of a 15 second advertising spot treated as equivalent to 50% of its value for a 30 second advertising spot) or (b) ratecard prices (e.g. impact delivery of a 10 second spot with a ratecard price that is 50% of a 30 second advertising spot, being treated as equivalent to 50% of its value for a 30 second advertising spot).

Impression

Measure of internet use that may be defined as (1) The viewing of a web page or internet advertisement by an internet user or (2) the request by an internet user to see a particular web page or internet advertisement.

IMT-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunications-2000)

Global standard adopted by the ITU for third generation (3G) wireless communications

In directory sample

Installed base of panel households equipped with meters less homes that are out of production for long periods and have been classified as off directory. The in directory sample may include some out of production homes that are under observation (e.g. newly installed run-in homes or homes with technical problems that are under repair), being polled but not produced in the daily reporting sample.

In home viewing

TV viewing that takes place in the home.

In production sample

Meter panel households that are available for polling and inclusion in the net daily reporting samples.

In Tab Sample

(see also Reporting Sample)

In vision teletext

Teletext superimposed on the normal broadcast picture (as with subtitles for hard of hearing).

Independent station

A commercial TV station serving a regional/local market that is independently owned, although it may be affiliated with a network.

Indiv.

Abbreviation for Individual.

Individual viewing statements

Converted meter records (raw data) after data processing (i.e. after editing, validation and assignment of weights) into summary statements of individual viewing over time. Each statement contains information concerning (a) Start and end time of the viewing session; (b) identification of signal source and TV set being viewed; (c) identity of viewer; (d) coded demographic and other information about the individual's identity; (e) the individual's daily weight. Processed individual viewing statements constitute the basic components of disaggregated viewing data.

Infomercial

An extended commercial message, usually lasting 90 seconds up to two minutes. Features product/service information, including product demonstration.

Installation date

The date when a recently recruited meter panel household is installed with one or more meters for measuring TV viewing.

Installed base (panel homes)

Gross panel size of samples equipped with meters (setmeters or peoplemeters), including some off directory homes, which are out of production for long periods.

In-tab sample

(see also Net daily reporting sample)

Interactive advertising

Advertising which allows for viewer interaction with on-screen image using the remote control handset in order to access further information or other materials. Interactive advertising is restricted to digital television services.

Interactive cable

A cable system with two-way communications that allows the cable TV viewer to respond (interact) to what is being telecast via a remote control handset, which transmits his/her messages directly to the cable operator.

Interconnect

Two or more different cable systems which are linked together to air locally sourced programming or commercials simultaneously. A "hard" or "true" interconnect is linked by cable or microwave. A "soft" interconnect is a group of systems with an agreement to insert commercials into programmes or time periods.

Interlace

Technique of improving the picture quality of a video transmission without consuming any extra bandwidth.

Interlocking variables (weights)

Variables employed in (cell-matrix) combinations for weighting survey data (e.g. Age x Sex x Region).

Internet

Worldwide network of interconnected computer networks that is open to everyone. The networks transmit data by packet-switching using the standard Internet Protocol (IP).The Internet can be used to access the World Wide Web, along with file-sharing and e-mails

Internet backbone

Refers to the main 'trunk' connections of the Internet. It is made up of a large collection of interconnected commercial, government, academic and other high-capacity data routes and routers that carry data across the countries, continents and oceans of the world.

Internet Television

Television programming that is publicly available over the internet

Interview call-back attempt(s)

Maximum number of attempts that an interviewer will make in order to request an interview at a designated household address or telephone number after receiving no answer on previous attempts.

Interviewee selection

Method of selecting interviewees using household addresses or telephone numbers.

Invalid data capture

Collection of meter data in mode different from the established mode for data processing.

Invalid meter statement

Meter statements from devices other than the established ones or statements that do not observe the established formats in other respects (e.g. wrong dates).

IP (Internet protocol)

Protocol for sending data over a packet-switching internet network. It is a network layer protocol contained in a data link layer protocol (e.g. Ethernet) that supplies the communicability between computers, using a unique global addressing system. In contrast to the Ethernet, which also works with unique addresses, IP specifies the final destination. The Ethernet is only concerned with getting the device to the next link in the chain (e.g. wireless router)

IP multicast

Method of distributing content to multiple destination end user PCs (or TV sets connected to a network delivering IPTV signals)

iPod

A brand of Portable Media Player, created by Apple Computer. (see also PMP (Portable Media Player))

IPPV (Impulse Pay-per-View)

Variant of pay-per-view, which lets consumers order PPV programming directly via their remote control handsets and clicking at the TV screen rather than having to make a separate telephone call

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television)

Digital television services delivered over a network infrastructure using the Internet Protocol. The final destination of most present day applications is the PC and IPTV is most commonly thought of in connection with VOD services. But, there is growing delivery of IPTV services to TV screens by means of hybrid broadcast and DSL technologies and VOD services are also delivered over broadband cable systems mostly without using IPTV technology. In general, IPTV services are supplied by an ISP as part of a package of broadband services

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)

Telephone network that employs digital switching and transmissions. Compared with analogue networks, which they already replaced in many countries, ISDN systems offer much higher data transmission rates, but lower than the more recently introduced DSL technologies, which have become increasingly popular for fast speed Internet access.

ISP (Internet service provider)

Company offering internet connections to individuals, companies and other organisations. An ISP may provide internet access via a number of different technologies with varying connection speeds and levels of service quality, including telephone dial-up, ISDN, DSL and cable.

ITU (International Telecommunication Union

Global international telecommunications organization established to standardize and regulate international radio and telecommunications, including organisation of interconnection arrangements between different countries

iTunes

PC jukebox and store software application that allows users (1) to organise and play music and other media files and (2) to purchase music, video and other content from Apple. The contents stored on iTunes can be transferred and played on iPods

iTV (Interactive television)

Television services that permit viewer interaction. The concept of interactivity can be applied at many different levels. In the field of digital television, it currently refers to services that allow viewers to choose and control extra coverage options or make use of other interactive services directly with their remote control handsets.

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Java

Widely used general purpose computer programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. Programmes written in Java can run on any platform, including set-top boxes, provided they contain a Java Virtual Machine.

JIC (Joint Industry Committee)

Form of survey organisation in which a joint industry grouping of TV station, advertiser and media buyer representatives holds a contract with one or more data suppliers for a fixed time period (usually lasting between five and ten years). The functions of the JIC generally include contract specification, supervision of the TAM service, ownership of data copyright and determination of the conditions of data release.

JICTAR (Malaysia)

JIC responsible for TAM data provision in Malaysia.

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Keyword (internet search)

Word used as a link for finding matching pages with the help of a search engine, most often in connection with web search.

Keyword bucketing

Online pay-per-click advertising procedure of grouping all keywords into common categories and writing a specific ad for each keyword bucket

KPI (Key Performance Indicators)

Utilised in the audit process to measure the performance of the panel against agreed specifications.

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LAN (Local Area Network)

An independent Network allowing the interconnection and intercommunication between computers on a single site (such as home, office and group of building).

Last mile

The final leg of delivering connectivity from a communications provider to a customer. Usually referred to by the telecommunications and cable television industries, it is typically seen as an expensive challenge because "fanning out" wires and cables is a considerable physical undertaking.

Lazy viewing

Form of uncovered viewing in which no family member registers his/her presence for an entire viewing session when the TV set is on. Many TAM systems employ lazy viewing above set threshold values as a quality control during data validation.

Lead-in/Lead-out

A programme preceding/following the time period of the programme being analysed.

Leading gap

Term used in data editing to denote an interval of uncovered viewing at the beginning of a TV viewing session that is followed by an interval of covered viewing.

Licensed software

Application software for analysing viewing data for programming/advertising purposes that has been licensed to the data supplier (or other party delivering data to the market)by a separate, independent company.

Licensed user

A client organisation subscribing to the TAM viewing data. Fees may be variable depending on the level of access required.

Life stage

Household classification based on time of life characteristics of family (e.g. young couple without children, family with young children, retired person/couple with grown-up children who have left home, etc.).

Lifestyle

Classification variable based on individual behaviours, such as leisure activities, recreational habits or product purchase/ consumption behaviours.

Light viewer

Person whose average daily viewing levels satisfy TAM system threshold criterion for classifying that person as a "light" viewer.

Line-up

The listing of stations carrying a TV programme.

Live audience

The audience of a commercial, daypart or programme at the time of its actual transmission.

Live streaming

Multimedia content transmitted over the Internet that begins playing upon the arrival of the first packets and simulates real-time delivery.

Live Viewing

Viewing of live broadcasts at the actual time of transmission, therefore not including any playback or time shifted viewing.

LLU (Local Loop Unbundling)

Process letting telecommunications operators assume control of the twisted-pair connections running between the local telephone exchange and the customer premises. Under shared LLU, the operator only unbundles the broadband connection. Under full LLU, the operator unbundles the telephony connection as well

Local feed

TV channel transmissions that are modified in order to meet the needs/requirements of a specific market segment (e.g. Pan European channels with different language feeds and/or variations in programming/advertising to cater for different national markets

Local TV

TV services serving local communities/sub-regions.

Log Proof

(see also Commercial and Programme Logs)

Longitudinal data analysis

Analysis of disaggregated viewing data, that is based on individual viewing records over time. Key output measures are audience reach and frequency, although longitudinal analyses can, like cross-sectional analyses, also supply estimates of ratings, amount of viewing and audiences share.

Low pay

TV services that are part of a basic subscription package giving a low average cost per channel.

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Main shopper

Widely used demographic classification that specifies the person in the household who is mainly responsible for purchasing household goods. As with housewife/housekeeper, precise definitions vary across different TAM systems.

Makegood

Extra advertising spots in compensation of a scheduling error/alteration by the TV station or failure to deliver an audience guarantee target during the campaign period.

Master meter

Installed meter that has extra functions of collecting and storing data from other installed meters in the household, which it delivers to the central processing base of the data supplier during polling.

MATV (Master Antenna Television)

Mini-cable system connecting multiple homes on a single premise (e.g. apartment block, housing estate) to a central collective antenna for picking up terrestrial over-the-air signals.

Maximum to minimum weight ratio

The ratio of the individual with the highest weight to the individual with the lowest weight in a survey sample. For proportional samples, the maximum to minimum weight ratio provides an important index of the variability of a sample or its degree of balance. In general, the better the balance, the lower the ratio. For disproportional samples a high weight ratio is mainly derived from the different sampling rates.

Mbps

(see also Bit-rate)

MDS (Multipoint Distribution Service)

A common carrier service used to transmit private TV programming or data to locations. It is used to transmit special TV channels to hotels, and to transmit pay TV programs to cable systems.

Mean

Arithmetical average calculated by summing numerical values across a list of items and dividing the sum by the number of items on the list.

Mean weight

The average weight of individuals or households within a sample. Most TAM systems are only concerned with individual weights, as viewing is nearly always reported for individuals rather than households.

Media buyer

Agency responsible for purchasing commercial airtime on behalf of advertisers; they also often provide support to the advertisers for planning, optimisation and control of the performances.

Media dependent

Media planning/buying specialist dependent on a creative agency with common ownership.

Media independent

Media planning/buying specialist on behalf of creative agencies under separate ownership.

Media Mix

The distribution of time and money allocated among TV, radio, print, internet and outdoor advertising that makes up the advertising campaign.

Media owner

General term used in TAM research to refer to TV stations, TV airtime sales houses, programming organisations, trade associations or other parties belonging to the television sector.

Media Player

Computer software for playing multimedia files that may be general or specifically tailored for a particular type of file (e.g. audio or video player) with an emphasis on the quality of the user experience

Media schedule/plan

A plan for an advertising campaign which specifies details of the selected media, advertising content, dates and timing dates.

MediaFLO (Media-Forward-Link-Only)

New one-way mobile TV technology developed by Qualcomm in the US that uses a different frequency from current cellular networks for transmission to portable devices such as cell phones and PDAs.

Mediametrie (France)

Private research company under tripartite ownership operating TRCC in France. It both acts as TAM data supplier and sub-contracts some fieldwork to other parties. Mediametrie includes non-shareholders in its supervisory committees.

Meter

Any automatic recording device which, monitors the tuning status of that TV set (set on/off, time, duration and channel).

Meter sensitivity

Timelines with which meters can detect changes in set use: typically in the order of one second or less.

Meter time drift

Time difference between the meter clock and the central computer clock of the data processing system, as registered during data polling.

MHP (Multimedia Home Platform - DVB)

Open middleware standard for interactive TV devised by the DVB. Applications may include EPG navigation, interactive games, betting, home shopping, voting, SMS and e-mails

MHP (Multimedia Home Platform)

A Java-based platform supported by the Digital Video Broadcasting project which allows inter-system compatibility between different conditional access systems sharing the same platform.

Middleware

Computer software for connecting software applications, in particular used to support interactive applications

MIE (Main income earner)

Demographic classification that specifies the person in the household who earns the main income providing for the needs of the household.

Mini-pay

TV channels, usually offered as packages of channels, that carry an incremental subscription charge compared with channels offered in basic packages, but cost less than premium TV channels.

Minute attribution

Method commonly used in peoplemeter research of assigning each clock minute of measured viewing to a particular service (e.g. Channel X) or group of services (e.g. video or "other" use). Attribution is made with the use of selected algorithms, which may have variable definitions (e.g. attribution based on majority recorded use during the clock minute, or the last recorded use during the clock minute) and time thresholds for assigning use

MMDS (Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service)

Terrestrial over-the-air transmission of TV channels and other audiovisual content via short-range microwave frequencies.

MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service)

Telephony system standard that permits users to exchange multimedia messages, including images (e.g. photos) and video, and not just confined to short text messages, as per SMS

MMS (Sweden)

Mediamatning I Skandinavien: Private research company under tripartite ownership (mostly media owners) operating TRCC in Sweden. MMS contracts data provision to external data suppliers, but controls the marketing and release of the data to client users.

Mobile TV

Television services for mobile handsets delivered over broadcast networks or mobile telecommunications network for reception on mobile handsets. Several candidate technologies exist for broadcasting TV to mobiles (viz. DVB-H, DMB, TDtv and MediaFLO). Each presents some drawbacks and a winner has not yet emerged.

Mobile video download

Download of video content to mobile handsets

Mobisode

A mobisode (from mobile + episode) is a specially created mini-television series suitable for showing on the two-inch phone screen of these new handsets.

MOC (Media Owner Contract)

Form of survey organisation in which one or more media owners (i.e. TV stations, including airtime sales houses) holds the main contract with the data supplier that guarantees the production and delivery of TAM data. MOC systems vary appreciably in terms of how far the media owners involve themselves in the supervision of the TAM services or in determining commercial policies for releasing TAM data to other parties.

Mode

The most frequently found numerical value in a series of items with associated numerical values.

Modem

A modulating and demodulating device that converts digital signals for transmission (e.g. for sending/receiving faxes or e-mail via the telephone network).

MP3

MP3 (MPEG-1 audio layer 3) is popular audio encoding technology using highly efficient (MPEG) compression algorithms that capitalise on discarding less audible sound components.

MP3 player

A Digital Audio Player (DAP) for organising storing and playing MP3 digital music files

MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group)

A widespread international family of compression standards for digital video.

MPEG-4

A recent compression standard for audio and video signals adopted in 2000 and developed by the Moving Pictures Expert Group (MPEG). MPEG-4 subsumes and surpasses MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 by adding advance features, including 3 D video images, HD and various forms of interactivity and externally-specified DRM support. Of special importance for IPTV, MPEG-4 promises to create full interoperability over the Internet, dispensing with the need for content providers to encode in multiple formats. Its greatly superior bandwidth efficiency has seen it adopted already by the satellite broadcasters such as DirecTV and the DVB, as well as by licensed digital terrestrial broadcast pay-TV services in France

MRC (USA)

Media Research Council: multimedia joint industry body, whose functions include auditing and commenting on the quality and accuracy of TAM data.

MSO (Multiple System Operator)

Cable operator that operates multiple cable TV systems.

Multicast

The broadcast of messages to a selected group of workstations on a network

Multicasting

Broadcasting of several programmes at the same time on a digital TV channel.

Multichannel TV home

TV homes that are equipped to receive extra TV channels in addition to the locally available free-to-air terrestrial analogue channels. The extra TV channels include additional cable and satellite analogue channels as well as extra digital satellite, cable and terrestrial channels and services.

Multimedia

Media applications that employ multiple formats (e.g. video, audio, text, graphics, animation, interactivity etc.)

Multimedia buys

The purchase of advertising in more than one medium owned by a media supplier, or by media suppliers who have a cooperative agreement. Multimedia buys can encompass multiple media vehicles within a media form (e.g. Several magazines) or different media forms (e.g. magazines and TV).

Multi-platform home

TV home that can receive extra channels in addition to the locally available free-to-air terrestrial analogue channels via more than one distribution platform.

Multiplexing

Process widely used in digital television broadcasting (but also possible in analogue) of squeezing multiple channels on to a single frequency by means of digital compression technologies. The signals are subsequently demultiplexed at the point of reception (usually by means of a Set-top Box). Basic multiplexing variants include time-division multiplexing (TDM) and frequency division multiplexing (FDM).

Multi-set homes

Homes with two or more TV sets.

Multi-stage stratification

Sample stratification in more than one step (e.g. stratification by region/sub-region followed by stratification by settlement size, etc.). (see also Stratification)

MySpace

Well-known interactive, social networking web site purchased by News Corporation that allows users to build up a network of friends with whom they can exchange all kinds of materials and create their own personalised profiles of favourite film makers, musicians and assorted media celebrities who contribute to MySpace

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NAB (USA)

National Association of Broadcasters: National trade association of TV broadcasters in USA.

Narrowband

Relative to broadband, narrowband systems carry a narrow frequency range (sometimes defined as bandwidths less than 1 MHz). Voice telephony (3 kHz) is an example of a narrowband system and television (6 MHz) an example of a broadband system.

Narrowcast

TV transmissions via a wired network (e.g. cable television system, telephone network, etc.).

Natural (panel) turnover

Panel turnover due to natural causes (i.e. not enforced by the data supplier), of which the principal category is resignation by the panel household; but also moving house or severe technical problems may be causes of natural turnover.

Net daily reporting sample (in-tab sample)

The final sample yielding audience measurement data on a given day after polling and validation: It is equal to the in production sample less households that were not successfully polled and households that were successfully polled, but rejected during validation for technical or behavioural reasons.

Network

A broadcast service, usually covering a large geographic area, composed of a number of TV stations that broadcast a mixture of central "network" and regional/local programming and/or advertising. Many different types of network exist in terms of ownership ties, programming and commercial agreements, management structures and market coverage. Affiliate networks are commonly found in geographically large countries like Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Russia and the USA. In Europe, where national land areas are much smaller, a number of countries have regional/local TV networks, mostly publicly funded and under central state ownership.

Network DVR

Performance of DVR/PVR functionality by a network client server instead of by a DVR/PVR device in the user's home

Network overlap

Signal overlap of TV stations belonging to the same network.

NGN (Next generation network)

General term for advanced packet-switching computer network architectures that are beginning to emerge, covering voice and data communications, but with the optional use of other functions, such as carrying video signals. NGNs are to use internet technologies and involve a more defined separation of the transport functions of the network from the services that ride on it

Niche channel

Thematic TV channel catering for a specific interest group (e.g. children's channel, DIY channel, etc.) and usually targeting a specific audience demographic subgroup.

Nil viewing

Processed daily viewing statements without any registered viewing. Nil viewing may refer to (a) household nil viewing, (b) individual nil viewing or (c) nil viewing by TV set. Types (b) of nil viewing may serve as panel controls of sample compliance with the button-pressing instructions.

NMS (National media survey)

National media survey covering one or more of the main display advertising media (usually at least print media or radio). A number of European countries use NMS’s that employ interview methodology with large samples as an alternative to establishment surveys.

Non-interlocking variables (weights)

Variables employed on their own, independently of other variables in weighting survey data (e.g. Age on its own, Sex on its own, Region on its own).

Non-intrusive meter

Meter that can be installed without any interference with the TV set or other equipment to which it is attached.

Non-standard set use

Use of TV set for purposes other than viewing conventional live broadcast/narrowcast programming (e.g. channel tuning via VCR, timeshift video recording and playback, pre-recorded video cassette viewing, video games, etc.).

Non-terrestrial TV

TV channels that are both transmitted and received via cable or satellite. Precise definitions may vary from country to country. In the UK, for example, non-terrestrial TV is often used to refer to all channels, including DTT-only channels, apart from the five national/regional terrestrial analogue services. Elsewhere, there may be a question of whether channels like MTV, which are broadcast via satellite, received by an intermediary station and re-broadcast terrestrially, should be classified as terrestrial or non-terrestrial. It is a matter of deciding which distinction is most useful in the country or market concerned.

NPM (Non-programme minuteage)

The number of minutes of non-programme content screened over a specified period.

NSV (Nullsoft Streaming Video)

Media container designed for streaming video content over the internet. NSV was developed by Nullsoft, the makers of Winamp. The NSV format is another example of streaming video formats, offered by various companies and media players. Windows Media, QuickTime video, RealAudio and RealVideo streams are just a few examples of these.

NTSC

US technical broadcast standard for analogue TV transmissions named after the National Television Systems Committee

Number of days polling

Number of days allowed for the collection of definitive viewing data. Where more than one day is allowed, data polled on the first day are augmented with data from homes that were not successfully contacted on the first polling day, but were successfully contacted on subsequent polling days (usually a small addition that improves the overall production levels).

NVOD (Near video on demand)

Restricted form of on demand programming, where the programmes made available for selection are broadcast at staggered (e.g. 15 minute) intervals on a group of channels, so that the viewer can choose the most convenient start-time. PPV services offering premium films are a form of Near video on demand, as the same film is transmitted a large number of times. NVOD services do not necessarily carry a subscription charge, though.

NZTBC (New Zealand)

New Zealand Television Broadcasters Council. An industry organisation representing the non-competitive interests of the free-to-air broadcasters in New Zealand.

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Obb (Opening Break Bumper) / Cbb (Closing Break Bumper)

A term used for a short bumper slide (usually 5 second) placed at the beginning of a commercial break (Obb) or at the end of a commercial break (Cbb)

OCR (Optical Character Recognition)

A computer software designed to translate images (usually captured by a scanner) into either machine editable text or translate pictures into a standard encoding scheme. Often used in the field of pattern recognition.

OFCOM (UK)

The independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.

Off air

Events/promotion to support a TV programme, which are not broadcasted on TV

Off directory

Installed meter panel households that are out of production because they cannot be polled (e.g. cannot be polled due to non-payment of telephone bills, moving house, undergoing house alterations, problems with the modem of the meter, etc.). The precise criteria for placing homes off directory vary across panels.

Official source(s) of population statistics

National sources of population estimates, such as census data (including interim projections of changes in population size and distribution) or personal or household population registers that are used as basic reference sources for arriving at population estimates. The quality of official statistical sources and the degree to which TAM systems borrow from them vary appreciably across different countries.

Off-net

Beyond the reach of a specified network. Term has varying meanings depending on the network under consideration. It is commonly used with reference to LLU telephony networks, where off-net customers refer to customers which the network service operator cannot reach directly using its own network, but finds an alternative solution (e.g. CPS (Carrier Pre-Selection) for delivering its services). (see also On-net)

Omnibus survey

Regular or periodic survey containing a variable battery of questions covering a heterogeneous selection of subjects. Such surveys are occasionally used by TAM systems for collecting establishment data.

On air

Events/promotion that aired/broadcasted on TV

On-demand Service

A type of telecommunication service in which the communication path is established almost immediately in response to a user request brought about by means of a user-network signalling.

On-demand streaming

Service whereby users may receive audio or video content by streaming on-demand via a network, but where the user can select the time and place of reception

Online advertising

Any form of advertising on the internet

On-net

Within reach of a specified network. On-net customers of a network service operator are customers directly connected with that operator's network (see also Off-net)

Optimisation software

Campaign planning software that aims at achieving the best spread of commercial airtime across the spot schedule with respect to selected audience objectives.

OS (Own service)

Form of survey organisation in which the data supplier operates the TAM service as a private enterprise, holding multiple contracts of varying lengths with individual client subscribers. It is the most common form of TAM data provision, especially outside Europe.

OTS (Opportunity to See)

A commonly used term in Europe denoting frequency of media exposure. For television it is synonymous with frequency.

Out of Home Viewing

Non-domestic viewing that takes place outside the home (e.g. viewing at a friend's house or at a public venue, such as in pubs, clubs, hotels or work places). Out of home viewing may be particularly important for some broadcasters, e.g. niche satellite channels.

Out of production sample

Installed meter panel households that are not available for production, because they have been classified as off directory or have been withheld for other reasons (e.g. newly installed run-in homes or homes with technical problems that are being monitored, etc.).

Overnight viewing data

Viewing data delivered the next day. The term is sometimes used in a narrower sense to refer to initial data output covering a restricted selection of key target audiences that is delivered to clients at the earliest opportunity the next day (i.e. during the morning).

Overspill station

TV station, which can be received outside its target market or geographic coverage area. The overspill may be national or regional/local and likewise broadcast or via cable retransmission. (see also Cross-border overspill )

Own software

Application software for analysing viewing data for programming/advertising purposes that has been developed by the data supplier or other party delivering data to the market.

OzTAM (Australia)

Private company under ownership of three main commercial networks in Australia that operates a MOC TAM data service. Responsible for the management and marketing of the metropolitan database (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth) and the national subscription television database.

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P2P

Peer-to-peer file sharing. (see also File-sharing)

Packet-switching

Method of telecommunications aimed at optimising bandwidth efficiency, whereby multiple users share the same transmission channels and only transmit data when they have data to send, as opposed to establishing a dedicated link (Circuit Switched Data (CSD).

Page traffic

Volume of users who access a given web page, which can be measured either by the number of different users or by the number of click impressions

PageRank

Patented method employed by the Google search engine for creating a pecking order in terms of likely importance/relevance among search results on the Internet

PAL

Most widespread global technical broadcast standard for analogue TV transmissions.

Panel

Representative survey sample from which data is collected over time. Panels may be short term and employ discrete one-off samples (e.g. some diary surveys) or long term with samples that change over time according to the number of homes that leave the panel and are replaced by new homes.

Panel age (distribution)

Panel household classification according to length of service on the panel.

Panel balance

Conformity of actual panel allocation to the ideal panel allocation for the selected panel control variables.

Panel control

Demographic or other variables used for maintaining the representativeness of the panel sample over time as homes leave the panel and are replaced by new panel homes. The panel controls specify target profiles for each selected panel control variable, which the panel management staff tries to match as closely as possible during initial panel recruitment and replacement. The selected variables may be treated individually or employed in cell-matrix combinations with other variables.

Panel fatigue

Deterioration in quality of panel measurement as a function of the length of time that households/individuals have belonged to a panel (e.g. possible increased levels of measured nil or uncovered viewing as panel members cooperate less with their button-pressing instructions over time).

Panel maintenance

Panel staff functions of preserving panel balance over time and likewise accuracy of panel classifications and quality of panel response through the exercise of regular and periodic quality control procedures.

Panel member button

Button(s) on a remote control handset for registering viewing by panel members, with each member having his/her own designated button.

Panel turnover

Index of change in the gross panel sample, which is often defined as the number of homes leaving the panel during the course of each year as a percentage of the installed base at the beginning of the year. Panel turnover, may, however, be defined in several ways depending on the account taken of differences in gross panel size at the beginning and end of the interval and of homes that enter and leave the panel within the interval.

Panel weight

Scaling factor used for correcting imbalances in the daily reporting sample with respect to the weighting variables. The weights also contain a "grossing up" factor for projecting from the achieved weighted sample sizes to the population estimates.

Paper diary

Diary where respondents record their viewing in a paper booklet.

Parabolic (dish) antenna

Receiver for collecting and amplifying off-air signals, which is necessary for domestic reception of satellite TV transmissions. Amplification is achieved through the parabolic shape of the receiving surface, which reflects the incoming signals on to a single point. Hence, the larger the diameter of the parabolic signal the stronger the signal reception.

Parallel run

Side by side running of two different TAM systems for comparison and control purposes. Parallel runs are common when there is a change of contractor in JIC or MOC controlled TAM systems, the objectives being to assess the differences between the new and old TAM, make any necessary adjustments to the new system and assist continuity in the use of the viewing data for programming and advertising purposes.

Passive sensing

Form of peoplemeter measurement that dispenses with active participation from panel members in favour of alternative "passive sensing" methods of individual identification (e.g. image recognition, thermal sensing, etc.). Various passive sensing methods have been tested. None has been successfully implemented so far and all current peoplemeter TAM systems employ active peoplemeter measurement. This could change in the future, although the successful implementation of passive sensing methods will need to address concerns over respondent privacy as well as technical issues of accurate person identification.

Pay cable

Mini-pay or premium subscription channels/services offered to basic cable subscribers for an additional fee (e.g. HBO). Term mainly used in North America.

Pay to basic ratio

Ratio of the number of premium TV service subscriptions (which may be more than one in any given household), to the total number of basic cable TV subscriptions.

Pay-as-you-go

Broadband payment method where the customer pays for the bandwidth consumed

Pay-per-click

Form of online advertising purchase by which advertisers only pay when internet users clicks on their ads. This method is widely in search advertising. Advertisers bid for keywords, with their ads displayed on the results pages generated by searches using those keywords. The more advertisers bid per click in relation to other advertisers the higher up their ads appear on the results pages.

Pay-per-download

Form of PPV where the user pays for a video or audio download to the PC

Pay-TV

(1) General term for all subscription TV and on-demand TV services.

Pay-TV

(2) Pay-TV is often used to refer more specifically to premium pay-TV channels such as Canal+, HBO, Premiere or Telepiu. In many countries (e.g. Benelux, German-speaking or Nordic countries, Canada, USA, etc.) where basic cable services are treated as a semi-public or near semi-public utility the term "pay" is usually reserved for mini-pay and premium pay TV services.

PC VOD (PC Video-on-Demand)

VOD services delivered to the PC rather than the TV

PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)

A handheld device that combines computing, telephone/fax, internet and networking features, including web browser and personal organiser. In contrast to PCs most early PDAs used a stylus rather than keyboard for input and incorporated hand-writing recognition features. Today, PDAs are available in stylus or keyboard versions and some employ voice recognition features

PDC (Programme Delivery Control code)

Unique code inserted by programming source (e.g. TV channel) in TV signal transmission as a means of identification.

Peak

(see also Primetime)

Penetration

The percentage of people (or homes) within a defined universe that are physically able to be exposed to a medium.

Peoplemeter

Generic name for the electronic measurement system which monitors the channel that a TV set is tuned to and the individuals present in the room while the TV set is switched on. Individual demographics are measured through a complimentary specialised remote control.

Peoplemeter measurement

General methodology for collecting TAM data by means of a household panel sample equipped with a dual metering system that register (a) TV set status (i.e. which channel is being tuned to) and (b) viewer presence. Peoplemeter TAM research is currently restricted to measuring in-home audiences with meters attached to each TV set. Introduced commercially during the mid eighties, peoplemeter measurement now predominates over all other TAM methodologies throughout the world. Its key advantages for the advertising community are that it offers highly detailed (minute by minute or even second by second) continuous audience measurement for 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, and is impartial, being free from the recall interview methodologies.

Permanent Downloads

Downloads that users can keep as long as they choose and do not self-delete after the expiry of a certain time interval

Persistence threshold

Minimum uninterrupted interval required before a meter threshold records a change of either TV set status (TV persistence threshold) or viewer presence (Viewer persistence threshold). In the case of TV set status, the main purpose of persistence thresholds is to reduce data loads significantly by cutting out very short viewing statements (e.g. bouts of zapping). Until a permanent change of channel is recorded, the meter will continue to record the most recent channel/set use as if no change(s) had taken place. This entails the assumption that consequent errors of attribution are balanced across channels.

Personal Meters

A device currently under development to permit the measurement of an individual's overall exposure to Radio and TV. Designed to be worn or carried by selected individuals, personal meters can potentially capture viewing/listening in all types of out of home locations. The channel/station identification technique may be based on either audio comparison or recognition of a broadcaster code.

Personalised media consumption

Personalised media consumption is a generic term for the ability of consumers to play, pause, fast forward, rewind, store and transfer video content at a time and in a place that suits them and is independent of any broadcast schedule. (see also TV Anytime, TV Anywhere)

Picture in picture

TV display in which one picture is embedded in another picture.

Picture matching

Technique of signal identification in which the meter collects sample visual data from the images displayed on the TV screen, which it matches against an array of known signals from a central reference source in order to establish the identity of the measured signals.

Placeshifting (as in viewing)

The viewing of programmes delivered to a device in a separate location by means of a router or other call-up technology from a distant location (e.g. Slingbox).

Platform

(1) Marketed TV service consisting of a large number of TV channels and other offerings that may be on subscription or free-to-view. See Distribution platform. (2) Signal processing unit (e.g. set-top box) responsible for the decoding, conversion and selection of TV channels and other applications for on-screen display. It is possible for more than one platform operator or other TV channel provider to share the same platform (i.e. set-top box) with the assistance of computer programmes that allow for compatibility of different conditional access systems, although most platform operators operate solely with their own proprietary conditional access systems. (see also Distribution Platform)

Platform

Physical one- or two-way communications pathway (e.g. satellite, cable, terrestrial, TV-over-DSL) for delivering audiovisual content to end users

Platform operator

Company (usually a pay-TV operator) responsible for delivering television and other services over a specified distribution platform(s).

PMP (Portable Media Player)

Handheld hard disc or flash memory device for storing and playing files in one or more formats

Pod

US term referring to within programme breaks. (see also CB (Centre Break))

Podcasting

On-demand programming offered in a fixed configuration which the receiver cannot modify.

Polled sample

In production meter sample that has been successfully polled by the central processing base of the data supplier and is available for inclusion in the net daily reporting sample.

Polling

Procedure for collecting data from meter panel homes, usually by means of a telephone call from the central processing base of the data supplier, which downloads in the early hours of the morning meter data from the previous broadcast day(s) via a modem connection with the central meter data storage unit in the home. Alternative cellular radio or one-way connections methods may be used in order to collect data from non-telephone households. At the same time, polling takes place in a few systems via telephone calls from the household to the central processing base of the data supplier rather than from the data supplier to the home.

Pop-up ad/Pop-up

Online advertisements which automatically "pop up" in a new window when internet users click on a banner ad or go to a new web page. They generally attract higher click rates than standard banner ads. Pop-up ads which load between two internet pages are known as interstitials.

Portable Media Devices

Any portable device with on-screen display (e.g. PDA, laptop, iPod, mobile handset) that can be used for playing received and/or stored video and audio content

Portal

Web site which offers users a range of content and services, often including some kind of directory of search functionality and acting as a gateway to the internet or a sub-set of it.

Position in Break

Refers to the running order of a commercial break and where a specific advertisement fell within that e.g. 2/8

Post (campaign) evaluation

Evaluation of a media schedule at the end of a campaign with audience delivery data in the case of TV advertising.

Post campaign analysis software

Software for analysing and evaluating the audience delivery of a campaign/schedule of advertising spots.

Potential

The number of people who make up the total population of a selected demographic according to the most recent Census data.

PPM (Portable peoplemeter)

Peoplemeter carried by the survey participant. The PPM was originally developed to measure radio listenership, There is currently ongoing debate as to whether, and if so how, it may also be used for purposes of measuring television viewing

PPPI (Indonesia)

Persatuan Perusahaan Periklanan Indonesia. An association whose members are advertising agencies in Indonesia

PPT (Pay-per-title)

Form of PPV for on-demand programming where the user pays for a specific title

PPV (Pay-per-View)

Programming (usually special live events or newly released films), which viewers must request and pay for in order to view. PPV film services are usually offered in staggered rotation on a group of channels as a form of NVOD (near video on demand).

Pre-defined sample

Pre-designated interview or self-completion questionnaire sample. The pre-defined list of names or addresses may be drawn from a sampling frame or determined by a specific sample selection procedure (e.g. random route or random telephone dialling)

Pre-emption

The displacement of an advertising spot in a commercial break by another advertising spot for which a higher price has been bid or when an advertising spot in a commercial break is re-assigned to another program by the TV station.

Premium channel

Subscription pay-TV channel offered on its own or in small package of channels (e.g. Group of premium sports channels, which may be subscribed to individually at relatively high price, or at a group discount with much reduced costs per channel).

Pre-recorded (video) cassette viewing

Viewing of pre-recorded video cassettes as opposed to timeshifted viewing of recorded video cassettes.

Primetime

Daypart associated with largest audiences, generally between 19.00 and 23.00, though precise times may vary slightly by country.

Probability sample

Sample of households/individuals selected on the basis of known probabilities. In the case of simple random sampling, the probabilities are presumed to be equal. By contrast, disproportional sampling involves the deliberate over-/under-sampling of selected variables (e.g. region, telephone ownership), which are later corrected through weighting. One alternative to probability sampling is Quota sampling.

Processed viewing statements

Processed individual viewing statements after editing, validation and conversion of raw meter records into basic units for calculating ratings and reach, as per the algorithms for assigning ratings. (see also Individual viewing statements)

Product placement

Paid for placement of an advertiser's product within a programme.

Profile (Adhesion)

The % of the base audience which is made up of the target audience (e.g. A profile of 26 for Adults 15-34 means that 26% of your base audience were aged 15-34)..

Programme (release) window

Term used in programme rights discussions concerning feature films, TV entertainment series and occasionally other programming. The window refers to a hierarchical sequence of distribution outlets, which are arranged in descending order of the revenues per viewer that they can generate; e.g. feature films made available successively via cinema, video/DVD, PPV, pay-TV and finally free-to-air broadcast release. The window is the period when the programming is first made available in one distribution outlet in the chain of release windows before being made available to the next distribution outlet in the chain.

Programme barter

Offer of programming to a TV station by an advertiser or programme supplier in exchange for commercial airtime.

Programme genre

The classification of programmes by type e.g. Sport, drama, chat show etc.

Programme loyalty

Measure of constant programme audience across a series of episodes. Numerous different operational definitions may be used to define programme loyalty.

Programme Re-Run

A term used for a programme which had been broadcasted/aired before and is broadcasted again for the 2nd, 3rd, etc time.

Programme schedule

Sequence of programmes scheduled for transmission over a given period (e.g. day, week) that is released in advance in print or electronic form.

Programme sponsorship

Promotion in which advertiser pays for an association with a TV programme or series of programmes. In return for his payment, the advertiser is granted sponsor accreditation, which may take several forms subject to international and national regulations (e.g. accreditation in programme guides, billboards at the beginning/end of the programme, break, bumpers, product placement, sponsor mentions within the programmes as well as outdoor advertising and billboards featuring the sponsors logo in the case of broadcast live events). Programme sponsorship deals are often linked with advertising deals in the surrounding commercial breaks.

Programme syndication

Programming distributed to a group of independent regional/local TV stations which may broadcast as a network transmission or broadcast at different times on different stations, which may or may not belong to a single network group.

Programme, Break and Spot Database

By recording the broadcast of each channel, the programme, break and spot database is built ready for integration with the viewing data.

Programme/viewing analysis software

Software for analysing viewing to programmes and general audience patterns, including audience shifts/flows between different TV channels, constancy of viewing habits, etc.

Progressive Scan

Used in digital TV sets and computer screens and displays all the horizontal lines of a picture at the same time. This contrasts with interlaced scanning used in TV formats PAL, NTSC and SECAM, which display lines in two phases. The first phase shows all the odd numbered lines with the second displaying all the even numbers. To the human eye these appear as a single image.

Promo

Non-paid for promotional message by TV stations aimed at attracting audiences to their programmes.

Prompt payment discount

Discount on airtime costs for early payment within a negotiated time period.

Proprietary software

Analysis software that is the exclusive property of an organisation and sold or licensed to other users.

PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)

PSTNs round the world are characterized by circuit-switched telephone technology, as opposed to the IP-based packet-switched technologies used over the Internet. Formerly restricted to fixed line analogue signals, PSTNs are now almost entirely digital and includes mobile as well as fixed line telephones

PSU (Primary Sampling Unit)

Sampling point from which one or more survey interviews are taken. Face-to-face interview procedures invariably entail some clustering of interviews at selected PSUs (e.g. building-blocks, local postal area codes, electoral districts, etc.). By contrast, telephone and postal surveys usually have only one interview per PSU.

Public service broadcaster

Non-profit organisation responsible for one or more broadcast TV/radio channels/networks, which is publicly or state owned and obliged to fulfil various public service duties as laid down by the government or by other national public broadcast authority. Many public service broadcasters are part or wholly funded by licence fees or other public subsidy, but many also carry advertising and a few offer subscription-based services (e.g. NHK satellite subscription channels in Japan).

Public service remit

Public service obligations which a TV broadcaster must satisfy as a condition of its public service charter or its broadcast licence.

Pull Mode

The delivery method in which a subscriber demands and receives data from the provider.

Push Mode

A delivery method where the service provider transmits on a fixed, predictable schedule, or in response to an event such as the updating of data in the subscriber's database.

Push-button peoplemeter measurement

Push-button refers to the buttons/pads on remote control handsets in peoplemeter measurement, that are used for registering viewer presence and for fulfilling selected other functions, such as collecting guest age and sex demographic details or signalling that the panel home is absent on holiday. (see also Active peoplemeter measurement)

PUT (People Using TV)

Term mainly used in the USA to denote average percentage of People using TV across all channels within a set time period. (see also HUT (Homes Using TV))

PVR (Personal Video Recorder)

A device, also called Digital video recorder (DVR), which uses a hard drive to record and store digital video content. An important feature of the PVR is that it enables viewers to pause, fast-forward and rewind live programmes. Some of the appliances also have the capability to suggest programmes for users by recognising their viewing behaviour.

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QoS (Quality of Service)

Concept of grade of service applied to telephony and broadband traffic, which may be partly assessed in terms of subscriber, but with the advent of digital networks is increasingly measured in terms of engineering parameters

Quadruple (quad) play

The combination of broadband internet access, voice telephony, television and mobile services

Quality control procedures

Systematic and periodic procedures employed by panel management for purposes of checking the quality of data output.

QuickTime (player)

Technology developed by Apple Computer for handling a variety of multimedia formats. The QuickTime Player is freely downloadable from Apple's web site

Quota sample

Alternative to probability sample whereby a sample is selected according to demographic or other quotas and without known probabilities of selection.

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Radio frequency

Portion of electromagnetic wave spectrum used for audiovisual transmissions that is located above the audio and below the infrared frequencies.

Random combination

A mathematical formula for estimating the reach of two or more media.

Random route

Method of face-to-face interview selection, whereby the interviewer follows a set random procedure for contacting households/individuals in a sample, beginning with a set starting point within the designated PSU.

Random sample

A sample in which every element in the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Rate card

A price list for advertising time and/or space

Rate card adjusted impact delivery

Measure of commercial impacts that has been adjusted to a unit interval (standard 30 second spot length), but taking into account different price levels. (see also Impact weights)

Rating

The percentage of a given population group consuming a medium at a particular moment. Generally used for broadcast media, but can also be used for any other medium. One rating point equals 1 percentage. (see also GRP (Gross Rating Point))

Raw data

Polled meter statements prior to data processing and editing/ validation.

Reach (or cover/cume)

The cumulative percentage or total (usually expressed in thousands) of a population that has been counted as viewers at least once during a specified interval. Examples of commonly used reach measures are TV channel daily/weekly/monthly reach, advertising campaign reach, programme reach/ programme series reach, daypart reach and so on. Commonly used synonyms are Cume and Cover.

RealPlayer

iMedia player, created by RealNetworks, that plays a number of multimedia formats including MP3, MPEG-4, QuickTime, and Windows Media formats as well as multiple versions of proprietary RealAudio and RealVideo codecs

Rebate

A payment to the advertiser by a medium when the advertising schedule exceeds the contractual commitments originally agreed to and the advertising schedule earns a lower rate.

Reception Quality

The quality of TV signal received in the home.

Recruitment date

Date when a home is recruited on to a panel.

Recruitment survey

Survey other than the ES conducted for the purpose of recruiting homes on to the panel.

Reduced Screen Viewing

Viewing which takes place where the main broadcast channel is shown in reduced size within a screen that has other content.

Reference signal

Source used for comparisons in picture and audio matching methods for signal identification.

Regional TAM (Australia)

Private company under ownership of the five FTA regional commercial networks in Australia that operates a MOC TAM data service. Regional TAM is responsible for managing the Regional TAM contract that is collected and marketed by AGB Nielsen Media Research Australia.

Regional TV

TV channels targeted at geographically defined regions within a country.

Regular visitor

Person who is a regular guest viewer and may be assigned his/her own button in order to avoid the more cumbersome, time-consuming process of recording guest age and sex at the start of every viewing session. Though treated in exactly the same way as panel members with respect to task instructions, regular visitors are still classified as guests in the processed viewing data output.

Remote control handset / unit

Remote control handset employed for registering viewer presence and other designated functions.

Reporting homes

The number of panel homes that contribute to the daily ratings. Where failure to meet quality control standards or communications related problems occur, such installed homes are eliminated from the reporting panel. Also known as Intab homes

Reporting sample

Final validated sample of eligible survey respondents from data are reported.

Reporting universe

Demographic or other classification for reporting viewing data, which is specifically weighted for so as to conform to a constant population estimate.

Respondent level viewing data

Same as Disaggregated viewing data - Processed viewing data held at the level of individual respondents.

Response bias

Bias in survey data due to measurement methods (e.g. recall bias in diary or day after recall TAM research, or panel fatigue in peoplemeter measurement).

Return Path

Or Upstream, or Reverse Path. The term used to describe traffic and paths that go from the subscriber to the headend, by which users send back information and interact with external sources delivering audiovisual content.

Revenue sharing

A term used when TV station and the Production House agree to split revenue from programme/s. The final split depends on the agreement

RGU (Revenue Generating Unit)

Metric used by cable operators and broadband ISPs offering a selection of services (e.g. triple play), to denote the total number of paid for services being taken across the customer base. The customer base may also be categorised according to the number of RGUs taken by each customer

RIM weighting

Random Iterative Method - Method of weighting that puts selected non-interlocking and grouped interlocking variables in isolation through an iterative sequence of weighting adjustments. The sequence adjusts for each rim in turn and then repeats itself as many times as are required in order to obtain a convergence, in which the sum of the weighted rims matches the target population estimates, or is as close as it is possible to achieve.

Ripping

Process of copying digital or analogue content from one form to another (e.g. transferring CD or DVD content to a hard-disc or vice versa)

Roadblock

A programme or commercial scheduling device used by broadcast networks to increase or maximise reach at a given time (e.g. Scheduling a commercial on all local market stations at 9:00 p.m.).

ROI (Return On Investment)

Generally refers to the advertiser's desire to have a return on the advertising funds invested in media.

Rolling sample

Reporting sample, where data is reported at regular intervals for periods that overlap with preceding periods (e.g. last 12-month data reported quarterly).

Roll-Out

A marketing procedure where advertising is progressively expanded into more geographic areas over time.

ROS (Run of Schedule)

An advertising term that refers to a commercial scheduled at the discretion of a station or cable system to run anywhere in the schedule.

RR (Response rate)

Index of survey response in surveys employing interview or self-completion questionnaires. The RR is typically defined as the total number of successfully completed interviews expressed as a percentage of the total number of addresses/individuals approached during a survey: the main reasons for non-response being absences and refusals. Precise operational definitions are highly variable, though.

RSS (Really Simple Syndication)

Software system making use of feed reader or aggregator programs that facilitates subscriber access to their favourite web sites by helping to check feeds and pick out materials of interest to them

RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol)

Developed by the IETF and published in 1998 as RFC 2326, is a protocol for use in streaming media systems which allows a client (such as RealPlayer, VideoLan, MPlayer, Window Media Player, QuickTimer etc) to remotely control a streaming media server, issuing VCR-like commands such as "play" and "pause", and allowing time-based access to files on a server.

Run-in

Period (usually from two to seven days) when a newly installed home is under observation before it enters the panel sample. The home is placed in directory and polled, but withheld from production in the net daily reporting sample.

Running Text (CG Crawl)

Character Generator Crawl: promo with moving text during a programme

Run-of station

Placement of advertising spots at the discretion of the TV station within the terms of the negotiated guarantees of audience delivery.

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SAARF (South Africa)

South African Advertising Research Foundation: Multimedia joint industry organisation responsible for TAM data provision in South Africa.

Sales House

Separate organisation or department within a TV station responsible for selling commercial airtime.

Sample

One or more elements (individuals or households) selected from a universe to represent that universe.

Sample bias

Bias due to lack of representativeness within a sample. It is a wholly distinct concept from sample error. Unlike the latter, sample bias cannot be calculated statistically, but can only be established empirically by comparing two or more samples with different known composition. Latent bias is often used to refer to potential unknown or hidden biases in the data which cannot be assessed.

Sample composition

Sample structure or profile, as determined by the full set of sample classification variables (e.g. Age; Sex; Household size; Number of TV sets in the home; etc.)

Sample dispersion

Geographic dispersion of sample. Dispersion is a function of the clustering of PSUs or number of interviews per PSU. Peoplemeter panels usually apply rules for improving dispersion by limiting the number of homes recruited per PSU and/or restricting the proximity of panel homes with one another.

Sample error

Statistical measure of the possible deviation of a sample estimate from the true population value, assuming the sample to be representative of the population from which it has been drawn. The sample error is normally expressed as a margin of difference either side of the reported value within specified confidence limits (i.e. "there is an x% probability that the true population value lies within y units either side of the sample estimate"). Sample error is wholly distinct and not to be confused with sample bias, for which no parametric statistical assumptions can be made.

Sample Size

The number of households or individuals selected for a research sample.

Sample stratification

(see also Stratification)

Sampling frame

Source of addresses/household telephone numbers from which a pre-selected probability sample of identified individuals or households is drawn for interview. Usually the sampling frame is external (e.g. official population register of households/ individuals, telephone lists, lists of postal addresses and electoral lists). Where such pre-existing sources do not exist, data suppliers may create their own sampling frames by means of conducting a micro-census or by carrying out a prior enumeration study of households in areas selected for the establishment survey fieldwork. Alternatively, they may work without a sampling frame, but in that case it would not be completely random.

Sampling interval

Fixed interval with randomly chosen starting point for selecting items on a list with equal (or known other) probability of inclusion in the survey sample. The term also applies to the selection of addresses at a PSU, although the term step function is also commonly used.

Sampling point

(see also PSU (Primary Sampling Unit))

Satellite reception

Direct reception of satellite TV signals by means of an individual (DTH) or collective (SMATV) satellite dish receiver. Operational definitions employed by TAM systems may differ slightly (e.g. inclusion of SMATV under cable reception) depending on structural distinctions that are found most relevant in the local marketplace.

Satellite Station

A broadcast station that rebroadcasts the transmission of another station (generally operating in a nearby market) to an area that cannot otherwise be serviced by that station.

Satellite TV

General term for all TV channels and other services that are transmitted via satellite and can be accessed via DTH or SMATV reception.

Scart

A plug and socket with 21 pins. Used to link audiovisual equipment including Set-top boxes.

Scatter

Purchasing commercial time in broadcast media in many different programmes. Also refers to the purchasing of network TV time, which is not purchased during an "upfront" media buy.

Scrambling

Process of interfering with a signal so that a decoder is needed in order to receive it for on-screen display. Scrambling is commonly used by free-to-air TV cable and satellite channels in order to restrict cross-border overspill and protect against infringements of their programme copyright agreements.

SDTV (Standard definition television)

Digital TV format that does not achieve the picture quality of HDTV, but are equal or superior to conventional analogue picture quality.

Search engine (or Search service)

Internet application which enables users to search for and find material on the World Wide Web. Mainly used in the context of web searches, search engines typically operate with a list of keywords or phrases that direct users to relevant sites, although new natural language search engines are now being developed.

Search list

List of web sites on results pages of an internet search. The sites may be ranked according to variable criteria of importance and relevance or, in the case of paid-listings, on how much advertisers have paid. (see also Search listing)

Search listing

Reference to a web site on the results page of an internet search, typically containing some contextual information about the web site (e.g. sentence or phrase(s) containing the embedded search word(s). (see also Search list)

SECAM

International technical broadcast standard for analogue TV transmissions that is employed in France and some other countries.

Server (video)

Computer system with large video and audio storage capacity (typically in order of 500 Gb for broadcast services) that is connected to a network of client users and intended for transmission and distant access (e.g. on-demand video programming).

Service information (SI)/Service information code

Proprietary information about the applications software in a Set-top Box, which can be used to facilitate the measurement of non real-time broadcast viewing (e.g. PVR use) and on-demand viewing, but relies on the co-operation of the service provider

Setmeter measurement

General methodology for collecting household TV viewing data using meters that only collect information on set/equipment/ channel use: i.e. do not collect any information on individual viewing.

Sets in Use

Previously referred to as the number of TV sets in use (turned on) at a given time. Currently referred to as HUT. (see also HUT (Households Using TV))

Set-top Box

(see also STB (Set-top Box))

Set-top Box Data

Digital Set-top Boxes support communication between providers and their subscribers, and vice versa. This communication link back to the provider also gives that provider the ability to collect information on all activity taking place within the set-top box, including programs tuned or services selected. This information identifies only the Set-top Box tuning, and does not provide information on the person or persons viewing.

Set-top Box interface

Interface between the meter and the Set-top Box.

Share

Share of audience is the percentage of HUT (or PUT, PUR, PVT) tuned to a particular programme or station. "Share of Market" is the percentage of total category volume (dollars, units, etc.) accounted for by a brand. "Share of voice" is the percentage of advertising impressions generated by all brands in a category accounted for by a particular brand, but often also refers to share of media spending.

SHOUTcast

Multiplatform freeware audio streaming technology, developed by Nullsoft. SHOUTcast uses MP3 or AAC encoding of audio content and HTTP (though multicast can be used) as the transport protocol to broadcast web radio, also known as Internet radio. The most common use of SHOUTcast is for Internet broadcasting. Using SHOUTcast it is possible to cheaply set up an Internet broadcasting station, allowing hobbyists to set up their own broadcasting distribution network for a fraction of the cost of a traditional AM broadcasting or FM radio station.

SI Code (Service Information Code)

A code broadcast by a channel that uniquely identifies that channel.

Signal injection (technology)

Technology of facilitating later signal identification by means of boosting the incoming transmission with a high frequency burst which can be detected by a sensor attached to the TV set.

Signal sampling

Meter collection of visual or audio data samples that are used later in picture and audio matching methods of signal identification.

SIM (Subscriber Identity Module)

Smart card placed in the mobile handset that identifies the mobile telephone subscriber and contains additional subscription information. USIM (Universal Subscriber Identity Module) is a variant used by UMTS

Simulcasting

Simultaneous broadcasting of a TV channel or programme on two or more different transmission systems (e.g. TV channels broadcast simultaneously in analogue and digital formats). Also, the simultaneous broadcast of the same programme on two or more different channels.

Single source data

Two or more sets of data from the same sample. The term is often used in media research to refer to surveys that combine the collection of product/service purchase/consumption patterns with media consumption habits from a single household or individual source.

SKO (Netherlands)

Stifting Kijk Ondersoek: JIC responsible for TAM data provision in the Netherlands.

Skype

Proprietary peer-to-peer Voice over IP (VoIP) network. (see also VOIP (Voice over IP))

Slave meter

Meter installed on a TV set or other equipment that is "subservient" to another "master" meter in the household, which controls some of its functions (e.g. time synchrony) and collects data from it for temporary storage and delivery to the central processing base of the data supplier during polling.

Slingbox

TV streaming device enabling users to view programming that they receive at home in distant locations, whether on a PC or other device (e.g. 3G mobile handset, PDA, etc.) with a broadband Internet connection. Developed by Sling Media Inc. in California, the Slingbox can be used for connectivity between devices in the home as well as anywhere in the world via the broadband Internet. The Slingbox has the ability to programme PVRs and Set-top Boxes via a separate infrared cable.

Slot

The position of a programme or commercial break within a TV programme schedule.

Smartcard

A plastic card (the size of a credit card), which is inserted into the set-top box and whose functions are to verify the user's entitlement to access a given TV channel or other service and monitor use. Smartcards are normally used for determining pay-TV access, but may also be required by some free-to-air channels.

Smartphone

Any handheld electronic device that combines the functions of a mobile telephone and PDA or other information appliance

SMATV (Satellite Master Antenna Television System)

MATV system equipped with one or more satellite receivers for picking up additional TV channels via satellite. (see also MATV (Master Antenna Television) )

SMS (Short Message Service)

Text messaging service available on most mobile phones

SMS (Subscriber management system )

Management system employed by subscription platform operators for handling subscriber payments and queries.

Software house

Third party company developing its own software applications and undertaking TAM data analysis on behalf of licensed users.

Software supplier

Company supplying application software for purposes of programming/advertising analysis.

Solo-Viewing

Defines the condition where the members of a reference target are the focus of an analysis only when they are watching television alone.

Spectrum

Shortened term for the electromagnetic or radio frequency spectrum, portions of which have been set allocated by international agreement for specific classes of application, including radio, broadcast television, mobile TV, etc. Use of the radio frequency spectrum is regulated by national governments as well as subject to international co-ordination agreements aimed at minimising interference between neighbouring territories

Spill-In/Spill-Out

Spill-in is viewing of television broadcast from a different market (e.g., people in San Diego viewing Los Angeles stations). Spill-out is viewing outside the originating TV market (e.g., Los Angeles stations delivering audiences in San Diego).

Split screen

TV screen partitioned so as to allow simultaneous display of two or more video tracks.

Spot

Refers to the purchase of TV commercial time on a market-by-market basis as opposed to network (national) purchases. Also commonly used in lieu of "commercial announcement".

Sprite

Two-dimensional image or animation entered into a larger scene

Spyware

Computer software designed to get information from a PC without the user's informed consent. It may used for criminal (e.g. theft of credit card details) or other purposes, including commercial objectives, such as monitoring internet use in order to assist targeting, or deliver unsolicited advertising. Term is interchangeable with adware and malware.

Squeeze Frame

Method by “squeezing” the programme frame in order to make space for an advertisement or promo

Staggercast

Broadcast of channel output on a secondary channel a fixed time after the original broadcast. The most commonly used time lag is one hour, and such secondary channels are often labelled "+1".

Standard error

Standard deviation of the sample error distribution of sample estimates. 1.96 standard errors denotes the upper and lower bound margins of sample error that correspond with 95% confidence limits. (see also Sample error, Confidence limits)

Station average price

Estimated cost of unit audience delivery on a TV station based on advertising Costs per rating point (CPRs) or advertising Costs per thousand (CPTs or CPMs) with reference to a time period in the year (usually calendar months) and to a specified target audience.

Station promo

(see also Promo)

Station Relay

(see also TV Pool)

Statistical efficiency value

Index of sample variance, usually expressed as a percentage, which compares the variance of the actual sample with the variance of a simple random sample of the same size. Thus, a statistical efficiency value of 85% means that the measurement accuracy of the weighted reporting sample is the same as the measurement accuracy of a wholly representative unweighted sample that is 0.85 raised to 2 (= 0.72) of its size.

STB (Set-top box)

Device that receives, processes, converts and displays incoming TV signals, for display on TV sets. The set-top box may be designed to receive signals in analogue or digital form and from cable, satellite and terrestrial sources.

Step interval

Common term for the fixed sampling interval between addresses selected for interview at chosen PSUs. (see also Sampling interval)

Stratification

Means of improving the quality of a probability sample by selecting sample elements according to population variables with known distribution profiles in order to determine a proportional or disproportional allocation of the survey sample. Examples of commonly used stratification variables are "region", "type of settlement" and "household size".

Streaming

The delivery of video or audio content stored in bits which enables it to be played in real time and without viewers having to wait for all the data to arrive.

Stripping

Scheduling a programme (such as a series) at the same time, every day of the week. This is the opposite of checkerboarding, which is the standard method of scheduling programs on primetime. (see also Checkerboarding)

Sub-contractor

Research company(ies) sub-contracted by the main data supplier to handle part of the data provision. This practice occurs most often with the Establishment Survey.

Subliminal

Very short commercial messages below the threshold of conscious perception that could be inserted in advertising, rules permitting.

Subscriber

TV household or other entity (e.g. hotel) that pays a regular subscription charge in order to receive a specific TV channel or programme service offering a variety of TV channels and other services.

Surfing

User search and sampling behaviour over the Internet lacking a specific goal (akin to channel-hopping with a TV remote control)

Survey Coverage Area

Area that has been covered in a survey

Survey frequency

Frequency with which a survey is carried out.

Survey population

Total eligible population belonging to a survey universe.

Survey universe

The total population that is being measured or reported, as defined by a selection of demographic, geographic, housing, equipment and other criteria (e.g. nationality/language/ethnic origin). Within the total universe, TAM services may further designate one or more narrower universes (e.g. cable/satellite, region, etc.) that are controlled for and weighted separately.

SVOD (Subscription Video-on-Demand)

Any VOD service paid for on a subscription basis

SVP (Secure Video Processor)

Hardware-based solution to content protection and authorisation involving an SVP-compliant chip. The SVP may be embedded in a piece of equipment or carried separately (e.g. like a memory stick) and installed when needed. SVP is an open technology specification developed by an alliance of members

Sync Measurement Scanning

Channel identification method used when there is no scart (or similar) connection in place and an internal tuner is connected to the same signal source as the household TV. An external pick-up compares sync pulses from the TV set with sync pulses coming from the internal tuner.

Systematic sorting procedure

A systematic objective procedure for organising a sampling frame list of names or addresses for subsequent selection with equal or known probabilities.

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TAC (Australia)

Technical Advisory Committee. Forum comprised of representatives from the media industry where technical issues regarding the ratings service are discussed with a focus on continuous improvement.

TAM

Widely used acronym for television audience measurement.

TAM system/service

Data supplier system/service for measuring television viewing and delivering TAM data.

Target Audience

A portion of the TV audience identified (targeted) by an advertiser to be the most likely to purchase its product.

TARP (Target Audience Rating Point)

Unit GRP with reference to a specified target audience.

TBG (New Zealand)

New Zealand Television Broadcasters Council. An industry organisation representing the non-competitive interests of the free-to-air broadcasters in New Zealand.

TC (Trusted Computing)

Technology developed and promoted by the Trusted Computing Group (TCG). The term is taken from the field of trusted systems and has a specialized meaning. In this technical sense, "trusted" does not necessarily mean the same as "trustworthy" from a user's perspective. Rather, "trusted computing" means that the computer can be trusted by its designers and other software writers not to run unauthorized programs

t-commerce

Transactional commerce via interactive advertising, including Internet pages accessed via the TV screen as opposed to the PC or mobile telephone.

TEA (Terminal education age)

Classification variable based on age at which individual completed his/her educational studies.

Telebus

See omnibus survey, except that this survey is using telephone. (see also Omnibus survey)

Telephone interview

General methodology for conducting survey interviews over the telephone.

Teletext

Broadcast service using several otherwise unused scanning lines (vertical blanking intervals) between frames of TV pictures to transmit information from a central data base to receiving television sets.

Teletext code

Signal code carried by TV channels offering teletext services that provides an additional means of channel identification.

Teletext use

Measured viewing of teletext pages. TAM systems vary greatly in the level of detail with which they measure teletext use and in how they treated it later: in particular, over whether they report it separately or ignore it, assigning all teletext use to the channel carrying it.

Terrestrial analogue only TV home

TV home that is only equipped to receive locally available channels broadcast in analogue via aerial reception. The category is mutually exclusive and exhaustive with Multichannel TV home.

Terrestrial only TV home

Generally used as abbreviated form of Terrestrial analogue only TV home. But with the introduction of digital terrestrial TV services, reference to analogue has become necessary in order to avoid misunderstanding. Future use of term will probably cover both analogue and digital terrestrial channels as distinct from additional cable and satellite channels.

Terrestrial TV

TV channels broadcasted terrestrially in analogue or digital and can be received off-air. (Definition can be more narrow, such as in the UK, where this usually refers only to the five main terrestrial channels only. (see also Non-terrestrial TV)

Test Market

A market (or markets) chosen for the purpose of conducting a media test.

Text link

Clickable piece of text appearing on a web page that leads to another web page

TGI (Target Group Index)

Market interview research that combines questions about media use and with product/service consumption habits. The research is aimed at indexing the levels of product/service consumption for a specific media title (e.g. TV channel, radio station, newspaper, magazine etc.) or category

Thematic channel

TV channel specialising in a particular kind of programming (e.g. showing children's programming, films, sports, weather, news, different kinds of documentary, etc.).

Third party access

Data access by parties other than the primary user group of advertisers, media buyers and media owners.

TIAK (Turkey)

JIC responsible for TAM data provision in Turkey.

Tiering

Offering of subscription packages of TV channels and other services in a tiered sequence, such that subscribers must first sign up to a basic package before being allowed to subscribe to additional packages for an incremental charge.

Timeshift recording

Recording of live TV transmissions on video cassette.

Timeshifted viewing

Later viewing of timeshift video recordings of live television transmissions (i.e. Playback of recorded live transmissions).

Token Pay-per-View

Pay-per-view in which user entitlement is paid for by a card. The card may be rechargeable

Tolerance margin

Latitude of acceptance of the deviations of the actual sample allocation from the target sample allocation before attempting corrective action.

Total video playback

Sum of pre-recorded video cassette viewing and timeshifted viewing of recorded video cassettes.

Total viewing

(see also Amount of viewing)

Trailing gap

Term used in editing to denote an interval of uncovered viewing at the end of a viewing session.

Transmission logs

Exact records (usually electronic) of television channel transmissions, as supplied by the TV channel or by an independent monitoring agency.

Transmission Unit

Meter installed in every household that has the function of storing and retrieving the data from the base unit. Polling of the household data is achieved through a phone connection, which downloads the data to the central processing base of the TAM supplier. (see also Master Meter)

Transnational TV

TV channels targeted at audiences across two or more countries with limited modification in terms of locally sourced programming and advertising.

Transponder

Satellite receiver/transmitter unit receives uplink signals, which it amplifies and retransmits as a downlink signal back to earth.

TRCC (Tripartite research company contract)

Form of survey organisation whereby the contracting party delivering TAM data to the market is itself a research company, but with tripartite ownership of media owners, advertisers and advertising agencies/media buyers. The research company/ organisation at the centre of a TRCC contract may sub-contract part or all of the fieldwork to other market research companies.

Triple play

The combination of broadband internet access, voice telephony and television services

TRPs (Target Rating Points)

Essentially synonymous with GRPs.

Tuner meter

Meter that identifies channel frequencies by subsuming the functions of the TV set tuner or other receiving equipment (e.g. VCR, satellite dish) that may be used to select channels on the TV screen.

TV Anytime, TV Anywhere

General umbrella term embracing all those technologies and associated devices (e.g. PVR, DVD recorder/players, 3G mobile handsets, Slingbox, media players) and on-demand services that empower users to view any TV programme at any time an in any location they choose

TV channel

Identity of single TV service transmitting programmes usually on a specific frequency (-ies), but sometimes sharing frequency with other TV channels/services, which transmit on the same frequency at different specified times of the day. The term "TV channel" is almost always used interchangeably with "TV station", though it is more likely to be used when the emphasis is on a specific licensed frequency, whereas TV station is most likely to be used when emphasis is placed on the programme service or organisation operating the TV channel.

TV market

Designated geographic reception area or population at which a TV service is targeted for commercial purposes. It is distinct from and may be smaller or greater than the technically defined coverage area. (see also Channel coverage)

TV Pool

A programme that is broadcasted/aired at exactly the same time simultaneously among TV stations.

TV station

TV channel or organisation operating one or more TV channels. Depending on context, TV station may also cover sales houses that sell television airtime on behalf of one or more TV channels/stations. Although the term TV station is most often used interchangeably with TV channel, the terms can carry different points of emphasis. (see also TV channel)

TVC

(see also Advertising spot)

TVCAB (New Zealand)

Television Commercial Approvals Board. New Zealand is a fully deregulated broadcasting environment. The TVCAB was established by the commercial networks to support self-regulation. The TVCAB views all commercials prior to broadcast to ensure compliance with advertising codes.

TVCR

TV set with a built in video recorder.

TVIRC (Hong Kong)

Television Research Committee: JIC responsible for TAM data provision in Hong Kong.

TV-M (Finland)

TV Mittaritutkimustoimikunta: JIC responsible for TAM data provision in Finland.

TVM series

Series of Peoplemeters developed by AGB Nielsen Media Research.

TV-over-DSL

Television services delivered over a wired telephony network using DSL technology

TVR (Television Viewer Rating)

Term used in place of GRP in the UK and in Ireland.

TVRC (Philippines)

Television Research Committee: JIC responsible for TAM data provision in the Philippines.

TVRO (Television Receive Only)

Satellite system equipped only to receive signals from, but not to transmit signals to a satellite.

Twisted pair

Early wired electrical transmission system, now superseded by coaxial and fibre-optic technology, formerly employed by cable television systems with low channel carriage capacity for purposes of extending reception of off-air terrestrial signals for a limited number of TV channels.

Type of reception

Method of receiving television pictures (e.g. cable, satellite, terrestrial, etc.). It may also include pay-TV reception, otherwise classified under channel reception.

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UDP (User Datagram Protocol)

One of the core protocols of the Internet protocol suite. Using UDP, programs on networked computers can send short messages sometimes known as datagrams to one another.

UHF (Ultra High Frequency)

Bandwidth reserved by international agreement for television broadcast channels 14-83 on a TV set. UHF has replaced the former VHF bandwidth, although national governments may still choose to allocate VHF bandwidth for TV broadcasts.

Ultra High-Definition TV System

Also known as Super Hi-Vision or SHV. It has four times the number of scanning lines used for HDTV, with four times as many pixels across, giving an image of 7680x4320, or 32 megapixels

UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System)

A 3G mobile phone technology that uses W-CDMA as the underlying standard. W-DCMA is the standard used in Europe.

Uncorrelated viewing

Unidentified viewing measured by picture or audio matching techniques, whereby the data production system is unable to match the meter statements with centrally generated records of the channels being monitored.

Uncovered viewing/ set use

Meter statements indicating that the TV set is switched on, but without any persons registered as present.

Unexpected viewing

Viewing to an unexpected source, as defined by the TAM system.

Unicast

Sending of information packets to a single destination. Often used to mean streaming content to a single user at a given time.

Unidentified channel viewing

Viewing to an unknown frequency as ascertained by DFM or tuner meters. The frequency is usually presumed to belong to a channel, although it may indicate a separate output source (e.g. video games console).

Unidentified viewer

Persons (not a guest) registered as present in the viewing records, but not found in the records for the panel home.

UNITAM

An audience measurement system developed and produced by Media Instruments (an AGB Nielsen Media Research company) which is based on the CTS technology and comprises an integrated TAM panel system, including peoplemeters, a full featured polling system and multi-purpose centralised processing software.

Universe

(see also Survey universe)

Unscrambled

TV signal that is transmitted in the clear and which viewers can receive without the need of a decoder.

Upfront (buy)

Term mainly used in USA, to denote booking of TV commercial airtime well in advance of its due transmission dates (i.e. booking airtime in autumn of one year for the whole of the following year). The practice of advance booking of a substantial proportion of commercial airtime and reserving the rest for tactical buys is common practice in the USA and similar principles apply in many other countries, although precise trading practices vary appreciably across different national commercial airtime markets.

Uplink

Signal pathway from the earth to the satellite.

Upstream

Term used widely in interactive TV (iTV terms) to refer to the signal pathway from the home to the service provider (e.g. cable operator). This will usually have lower bandwidth demands than the downstream signal pathway from the service provider to the home.

Upstream

Transfer speed of data from client to server across a connecting network (e.g. telephone wire). Opposite of Downstream

USB

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a widely used serial bus standard for interfacing devices, which was originally designed for PCs, but is now a commonplace feature of TV sets and peripherals

UTPC (Universal television programme code)

Unique TV transmission code indicating identity of source. (see also AMOL (Automated measurement of Line-ups), PDC (Programme delivery control code), VPS (Video programming system codes))

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Validation

Phase of processing in which viewing data is examined for irregularities that indicate actual or possible technical problems or suspected faulty compliance by panellists. In extreme cases, the application of validation criteria leads to the rejection of certain panel homes from the daily reporting samples.

VCR (Video Cassette Recorder)

Device for recording and playing video cassettes.

VHF (Very High Frequency)

Former bandwidth reserved by international agreement for television broadcast channels, but now replaced by UHF. (see also UHF (Ultra High Frequency))

Video clip

Short clips in video formats, mostly less than 15 minutes and often much shorter; now heavily used over the internet (e.g. for news, sports, programme trailer and vblogs) and in fast growing use as mobile TV downloads

Video playback

(see also Total video playback)

Video timeshift

(see also Timeshifted viewing)

Video-capable handsets

Mobile handsets that can receive and display video images

Viewers per 1,000 Households

The number of people within a specific population group tuned to a TV programme per 1,000 receiving households.

Viewing behaviour analysis software

Software for analysing viewing of programmes and general audience patterns, including audience shifts/flows between different TV channels, constancy of viewing habits, etc.

Viewing card

(see also Smartcard)

VOD (Video on Demand)

A service offered by companies providing a means of viewing content that is outside the boundaries of its daily televised offerings. VOD content consists of recently aired television programs and library content, which are usually movies or programs that have not recently been aired. There are three models of VOD content - free VOD, Pay-Per-View, where the user pays an individual fee per programme or event, and subscription VOD, where the user pays a flat fee for access.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)

Voice telephony services delivered over network infrastructures using the Internet Protocol

Volume discount

Price discount offered to advertisers who purchase a specified volume of advertising from the TV station. Volume discount deals may be negotiated in various ways. Common examples are volume discounts based on (a) total TV advertising spend on TV station by advertiser, (b) proportion of TV advertising budget allocated to the TV station, (c) year on year increase in total allocated advertising budget, or (d) total volume purchased by the media buyer acting on behalf of the advertiser.

VPN (virtual private network)

A private communications network often used within a company, or by several companies or organizations, to communicate confidentially over a publicly accessible network.

VPS (Video programming system) code

Programme code identifying source of transmission.

VSS (Video signal scanner)

Variant of picture matching technology consisting of an internal TV tuner connected to the same source as the TV set, which scans sequentially through a pre-programmed list of channels and compares them with the video signal displayed on the TV screen until a match is found.

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Walled garden

Restricted group of interactive Internet pages that are offered by an intermediary service provider (e.g. satellite platform operator offering its subscribers a home shopping mall from a database of selected Internet pages, which are broadcasted in digital for access on the TV screen).

WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)

Open international standard for mobile internet access for wireless devices such as PDAs and mobile telephones. Examples of WAP technology include the ability to receive news/sports clips and audio downloads as well as to send e-mails.

WAPI (Web Aided Personal Interviewing)

(see also CAWI (Computer Aided Web Interview))

W-CDMA (Wireless Code Division Multiple Access)

A mobile telecommunications protocol that utilises the direct sequence Code Division Multiple Access signal method in order to achieve faster transmission rates and support more users

Wearout

A level of frequency, or a point in time, when an advertising message loses its ability to effectively communicate.

Web Browser

Software application that allows users to access and interact with content at websites on the World Wide Web

Web site

Collection of internet web pages belonging to a particular source

Web TV

Internet services, including e-mail and online chats, that are displayed on the TV screen via a special Web TV set-top box.

Webcam

Web camera designed to upload digital images on to a web server, either via a PC connection or dedicated hardware

Webcasting

Delivery of mostly non-interactive (i.e. linear) streamed video or audio content over the Internet using streaming media technology and analogous to broadcasts, delivering the stream to multiple recipients simultaneously.

Webmaster

Person(s) responsible for creating, maintaining and marketing a web site.

Weekly channel patronage

Measure of channels’ weekly reach, as recommended by the GGTAM guidelines, that employs a raised 5 consecutive minute threshold (basis of most reach estimates is a one minute interval), as the minimum duration of genuine viewing to a channel. Term is mainly intended for public broadcasting use.

Weight Factor

Multiplication factor for converting the size of a sample to the population estimate for the survey universe.

Weighted Average

Generally refers to the arithmetic average obtained by adding the products of numbers "weighted" by a predetermined value.

WFA (World Federation of Advertisers)

International trade association of advertisers.

Whole gap

Term used in data editing to denote an interval of uncovered viewing that lasts the entire viewing session.

WiBRO

Proprietary wireless technology being developed in Korea that uses licensed spectrum in the 2.3 GHz band

Widescreen

General term for screen displays with a wider aspect ratio than the 4:3 aspect ratio employed by conventional TV broadcast channels. HDTV employs a 16:9 aspect ratio. Most feature films also employ widescreen aspect ratios, some times greater than 16:9.

Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)

Popular term for technologies based on the IEEE standards from the 802.11 working group on wireless local area networks (WLAN), though strictly defined as a certification mark of equipment conformity and inoperability, based on that family of standards. (see also WiMAX)

Wikimedia Commons

Media repository that is created and maintained not by paid-for artists, but by volunteers. Its name "Wikimedia Commons" is derived from that of the umbrella project "Wikimedia" managing all Wikimedia projects and from the plural noun "commons" as its contents are shared by different language versions and different kinds of Wikimedia projects. Thus it provides a central repository for freely licensed photographs, diagrams, animations, music, spoken text, video clips, and media of all sorts that are useful for any Wikimedia project.

WiMAX

Worldwide Interoperability Access - Popular term for technologies based on the IEEE standards from the 802.16 working group (though like Wi-Fi strictly created as a certification mark of equipment conformity and interoperability based on those standards). Potential use includes enabling the delivery of wireless broadband access over the last mile as an alternative to wired delivery. WiMAX has much greater range than Wi-Fi and uses licensed spectrum. The two are widely viewed as complimentary technologies.

Windows Media Center

Windows application intended as a home entertainment hub. Designed to be viewed from distances up to 10 feet, its use can be extended to organising and relaying content for display on other screens in the home

Wireless

Although the old fashioned term for a radio transceiver, in modern usage wireless is a method of communication that uses low-powered radio waves to transmit data between devices. The term refers to communication without cables or cords, chiefly using radio frequency and infrared waves. Common uses include the various communications defined by the IrDA, the wireless networking of computers and cellular mobile phones.

Wireless cable

Local distribution systems using broadcast technology (e.g. MMDS) for delivering extra channels locally to subscribers.

Wireless Router

Wireless device for relaying incoming signals to selected destinations (e.g. routing incoming broadband signals to the TV set or PC)

Within programme break

Commercial break within a programme (DB - Centre Break).

WLAN (Wireless LAN)

Wireless Local Area Network is any network linking two or more computers by means of radiocommunications technology and without the use of wire. The associated technologies and supporting standards enable communications within a specified area, offering significant advantages in terms of mobility, ease, flexibility and scalability of deployment.

WMA (Windows Media Audio)

Compressed audio file format developed by Microsoft, initially a competitor to the more popular MP3 format and more recently the Advanced Audio Coding now being used by the Apple iTunes media player.

WWW (World Wide Web)

Global telecommunications network giving access to the Internet.

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Xvid

Formerly "XviD". Free and open source MPEG-4 video codec. Xvid was created by a group of volunteer programmers after the OpenDivX source was closed in July 2001. Xvid is a primary competitor of DivX (Xvid being DivX spelled backwards). While DivX is closed source and may only run on Windows, Mac OS and Linux, Xvid is open source and can potentially run on any platform.

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YouTube

Massively popular video sharing web site created in February 2005 and bought by Google Inc. in October 2006. In addition to film and TV video clips and music clips, the site is heavily used for vblogging

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Zapping

Flicking through different TV channels, often to avoid a commercial break.

Zipping

Fast Forwarding through recorded commercials when watching a home-recorded videotape.