• by Joe Mandese , July 2, 2026

Nielsen this week informed clients it has put its Media Rating Council accreditation for its Nielsen Audio diary service on hiatus for six months while it updates key aspects of its methodology.

The MRC allows accredited ratings services to initiate up to two six-month hiatuses while it reengineers its methodology and/or processes.

Nielsen Audio's hiatus began June 23 and ends December 23.

"Your day-to-day ability to transact on Nielsen currency remains completely unchanged," Nielsen says in the client notice, adding: "and this hiatus has no impact on our [portable people meter] services for Audio or TV. This pause simply gives us the necessary capacity to accelerate a transformation of the diary service, ensuring it remains an effective and sustainable solution for years to come."

The notice highlights the following methodological updates being undertaken during the six-month window:

• Innovative Recruitment and Improved Representation: Through mSurvey and eScreener, we are using digital tools to improve response rates and demographic targeting. We are also integrating survey panels from third-party partners to reach listeners beyond traditional mail recruitment, ensuring a more representative sample of the modern audience.

• Modern Data Collection: We are introducing a new, low-burden digital survey designed to be completed in minutes rather than days, to combat "survey fatigue."

• Responsive Digital Design: The digital format of our new low-burden survey allows us to respond to participant’s inputs in real time, improving data clarity, and growing respondent commitment to providing quality data.