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Nielsen loses accreditation for TV measurement service
New Delhi: Nielsen has lost the industry approval for its national TV rating service after the board of the US-based Media Rating Council (MRC) suspended its accreditation. The decision was taken during a regular audit of audience measurement agencies done by MRC to ensure they comply with the industry standards.
Nielsen had in fact, requested for a hiatus from the current accreditation process so that it could “focus on innovating its core products, and deliver data that industry can rely on”, amid the latest complaints from TV networks. The request was however turned down by the media industry’s measurement watchdog, which holds the measurement organisations to standards on behalf of the media sector.
The suspension of the decades-old track record of measuring the TV business comes after a long standoff between Nielsen and the networks over the former’s services. Some TV executives had highlighted certain discrepancies in the data shared by the company during the pandemic, resulting in an undercounting of the audiences. In July, the Video Advertising Bureau (VAB) which represented TV networks had also requested MRC to suspended its accreditation, citing these discrepancies. Nielsen, on the other hand, had requested for a hiatus from the accreditation process to concentrate on its audit-related efforts on continuing to address panel concerns.
While Nielsen’s measurement will still be released, it will operate without a sort of “seal of approval” by the industry that uses it, for the first time since the 1960s. This could encourage advertisers and TV networks to seek alternate means of counting their audiences.
“While we are disappointed with the outcome, the suspension will not impact the usability of our data. Nielsen remains the currency of choice for media companies, advertisers, and agencies. We are committed to the audit process and during this pause in the accreditation we will work with the MRC on resolving this suspension,” Nielsen said in a statement, adding that it will also take the opportunity to focus on innovating its core products and creating a better media future for the entire industry.
Meanwhile, the fast-paced changes in the TV industry have also led major organisations to look for new yardsticks as their audiences venture into new digital territories amid the OTT boom. “We have become increasingly concerned with inaccuracies and irregularities in the data reported by Nielsen, and urged them to more quickly pivot their processes and practices to fix known issues,” Disney’s ad-sales unit said in a statement, Variety reported.
As more consumers migrate from linear TV to OTTs, the demand has been growing for TV measurement agencies to innovate and upgrade to fulfill the new demands of the TV industry and capture audiences as they move from screen to screen.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
