Methods and apparatus to calibrate audience measurement ratings based on return path data

US10277944B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Nielsen Company (US), LLC · US

Inventors

• Anthony P. Venetucci · Hampshire, US
• David J. Kurzynski · South Elgin, US
• Molly Poppie · Arlington Heights, US
• Jonathan Sullivan · Hurricane, US
• Bruce Hoynoski · Lake Barrington, US
• Christine Pierce · Palm Harbor, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 31, 2017
• Grant date: Apr 30, 2019
• Expiry date: Aug 31, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04H60/66
• WIPO field: Audio-visual technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus to calibrate media ratings based on return path data are disclosed. An apparatus includes a ratings calculator to calculate an initial local rating for media provided in a first geographic area based on local return path data (RPD) tuning information obtained from local RPD devices in subscriber households in the first geographic area. The subscriber households subscribe to a content provider that provides the media through the local RPD devices. The apparatus further includes a calibration factor calculator to calculate a nonsubscriber calibration factor based on a first panelist rating for the media corresponding to a first subset of panelist households that do not subscribe to the content provider. The ratings calculator modifies the initial local rating based on the nonsubscriber calibration factor to calculate a final local rating for the media in the first geographic area.