• January 13, 2003

Heart-Argyle stations in Boston and New Hampshire have ended their holdouts over Nielsen Media Research’s People Meter service. WCVB and WMUR, both ABC affiliates, will receive overnight demographic ratings data from the Boston market immediately. The Nielsen People Meter, with its continuous demographic measurement capability, has replaced Nielsen’s previous data collection service in Boston that relied on separate samples of set-tuning meters and paper diaries. “We are excited about again providing WCVB and WMUR clients with the most relevant information on viewer preferences in our respective communities,” said WCVB president and general manager Paul La Camera. Added Jack Oken, general manager in charge of local services for Nielsen Media Research: “We are delighted with the support shown by WCVB, WMUR and Hearst-Argyle for local People Meters. We are convinced that People Meters represent a significant advance in local television audience measurement.”