Acquiring data on every PC

In a multi-platform world, understanding and measuring broadcast audiences across different media is an ever greater challenge.

That's because more and more people are now viewing their favourite programmes on platforms such as the PCs.

That's where VirtualMeter comes in. As the name suggests, there is no additional hardware required, just a software download of audience measurement technology derived from our 5000 series PeopleMeter™ that is installed on the PCs of Audience Measurement Panel members.

Unlike conventional Internet audience measures, which look only at hits attained and streams accessed, VirtualMeter uses Enhanced Audio Matching (EAM) technology to accurately monitor both live and time-shift viewing and listening.

It also identifies the source of the video, whether a broadcaster site or a content aggregator such as, YouTube, or one of numerous other sources by cross-analysing against URL data.

In this way, the VirtualMeter service captures minute by minute viewing data in the usual TAM services format, which allows it to be consolidated into ratings data, increasing both the scope and accuracy of TAM panel measurement.