I have audited the TV ratings system in Australia for the last 15 years, both when Nielsen Media Research and then AGB had the contract. The in-home ratings system, even using people meters, has its weaknesses, but is still the most credible measure of in-home viewing.

This past Spring I presented a lecture entitled "Television Addressability Undressed" in the closing session of the IAB Conference along with MediaVest's Jen Soch, who explored the basic tenets of video on demand. The purpose of our presentations was to help share knowledge of interactive TV with an inquisitive audience steeped and skilled in the online realm - to somehow help foster a bridge between the TV guys and gals and their broadband brethren. After all we are constantly talking about the theoretical similarities between the two digital worlds and their mutually appealing attributes to present the most compelling and …

Over the last year I've noticed the frequent use of the word "televisual" by fellow TV Boarder Mitch Oscar. Something about the way the word was being used gave me a sense that a real movement was afoot here -- an effort to use semantics to save all things television.

I've received numerous emails from people claiming they were once Nielsen families; three people have emailed me claiming to be currently enrolled Nielsen panelists. All admitted to some form of petty dishonesty, misrepresentation or manipulation. But one particular email appeared to be different: Here was a panelist that, allegedly. wanted to stick it to the Man -- that is, Nielsen. Now that was someone I wanted to meet. So I did. Sort of.

What does Carat's decision to terminate its Digital Exchange mean? As many readers will know, one of the great achievements of the Exchange has been to gather together groups of people, who would often see each other as competitors, to share presentation and debate ideas -- sometimes even sharing data (warts and all). Such a forum is a rare thing and should be nurtured.

Last year there was a slew of solutions presented by the major broadcast and cable networks to unravel the commercial conundrum: TV viewers don't like to watch commercials, or at least not non-engaging ones, will do anything to avoid them and yet they must be sustained to provide the fuel by which the free TV industry is powered -- $70 billion worth.