• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 18, 2025

Nielsen Rolls Broadcast and Streaming Into One

  • Nielsen is building out its new product Nielsen One which incorporates broadcast and streaming into a single viewership metric.
  • Americans rapidly dropped traditional pay TV and adopted streaming services during the pandemic.
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

The media landscape is changing, and the premier media tabulator intends on keeping pace.

Nielsen has created Nielsen One, which provides a holistic measure of viewership across broadcast and streaming platforms. 

The analytics company has cash to work with after selling off retail shopping analytics company NielsenIQ, formerly Global Connect, for $2.4 billion to private equity firm Advent International. 

Nielsen One was necessitated by the tremendous growth in streaming uptake over the last year.

  • U.S. streaming subscriptions nearly doubled from the start of 2019 to the end of 2020, passing 250 million.
  • The average U.S. household subscribed to 3.1 streaming services in 2020, up from 2.7 in 2019 and 2.2 in 2018.
  • Traditional pay-TV providers, namely AT&T and Comcast, lost 6.2 million subscribers in 2020 —a shift partly attributed to the lack of live sports.

Legacy broadcasters ABC/ESPN, CBS, Fox, and NBC ponied up over $100 billion to hang onto NFL coverage, but streaming services such as ESPN+ (14 million subscribers) and DAZN (400 million monthly users across all channels) have eaten into the live sports market.

Amazon will pay $1 billion a year through 2033 for exclusive “Thursday Night Football” rights.

Nielsen One provides an opportunity for a fresh start for the nearly century-old company. Earlier this month, the Media Rights Council said that Nielsen undercounted TV watching among 18-to-49-year-olds by 2-6% in February.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Tush Push

Why Fox’s Dean Blandino Is ‘Done’ With the Tush Push

The NFL rules analyst outlines why the play should be banned.

Netflix Boxing Ratings Spark New Fight Over Streaming Metrics

The streamer used a non-accredited process to measure the boxing match.

MLB, NBC Leaders Say Broadcast TV Still Matters in Streaming Era

The network and league tout the forthcoming rights deal.
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a reception defended by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the fourth quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Sets Early NFL TV Ratings Mark

Several new milestones are established with the big early-season matchup.

Featured Today

Adriunna Brown

Business Is Booming for WNBA’s Top Beauty Pros

A network of stylists is shaping how players look, feel, and perform.
Premier Lacrosse League
September 14, 2025

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.

UFC’s Vegas Sphere Fight Should Set Records

The MMA fight has big aspirations and a budget to match.
August 13, 2024

Duael’s One-On-One Racing Brackets Are Yet Another Stab at Saving Track

Duael will debut in March 2025 with the inaugural Duael 100.
September 8, 2024

Guardian Caps Make NFL Debut

Multiple NFL players wore Guardian Caps over their helmets Sunday.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
August 11, 2024

Guardian Caps Have Arrived in the NFL—Ahead of Schedule

Colts star Jonathan Taylor strapped one on for Sunday’s preseason game.
August 5, 2024

How Omega Timing Determined Noah Lyles Won Olympic Gold

Omega touches every corner of the Olympics.
The Adidas ball has changed over the years.
July 25, 2023

The Most Advanced Tech at the Women’s World Cup Might Surprise You

This year’s OCEAUNZ introduces connected ball technology to the women’s game.
Sponsored

Rewriting the Sports Media Playbook

WSC’s highlight automation improved Clemson’s content strategy and overall growth.