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Tuesday
May 19, 2009
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Fox Exec Frustrated By Nielsen Inconsistencies, Wants Answers

Fox Networks Group Chair & CEO Tony Vinciquerra said that he is “frustrated by Nielsen’s recent admission that its TV ratings may be off by as much as 8%,” and that he “believes the company isn’t acting promptly to correct the problem,” according to Michael Schneider of DAILY VARIETY. Vinciquerra: “It’s so irritating how they handle these things. All evidence points to people watching more TV. Yet the numbers are going down. I’m having a hard time reconciling all of these facts. I want to know what are they going to do about it. How are they going to fix it? … It’s affecting every advertiser planning their marketing schedule.” Schneider notes the issue was “serious enough that Fox execs called a meeting with Nielsen on Friday and aired their grievances.” Vinciquerra: “They didn’t give an explanation. We need far more specifics and evidence of what’s going on. Why not try to fix this going into this upfront period? We pay millions of dollars for this stuff.” Vinciquerra noted that Fox execs have been “scratching their heads all season over the ‘American Idol’ ratings declines and believes this could be a factor.” Vinciquerra: “It’s been a hugely successful season, yet the ratings are down 11%. There are significant, double-digit gains in (the show’s) votes, and there’s been a huge response” (DAILY VARIETY, 5/19).

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