Nielsen's ratings will start counting Hulu and YouTube's new TV services, as it moves to embrace the digital realm

pulse

July 25, 2017 8:27 PM

Nielsen announced its plan to incorporate Hulu and YouTube's TV views into its traditional TV ratings.

YouTube TV app in action

In a push to more accurately reflect the new ways people watch TV, Nielsen announced Tuesday that it will start incorporating YouTube TV and Hulu's live TV programming into its traditional TV ratings.

Hulu and YouTube both launched their own live TV streaming services within the past four months, creating even more platforms for viewers to choose from. These services function much like your traditional cable TV package, but are delivered over data to your smart TV, phone, and so on (like Netflix).

etworks lobbied for its wide release to be delayed, citing concerns about accuracy.

Nielsen will collect data for Hulu and YouTube's live programming in the same way it has for live linear channels, including DVR and streaming views that happen three to seven days post-premiere of an episode. But older episodes of television shows still available on Hulu and YouTube won't be factored into these ratings, nor will the programming offered on the original Hulu streaming package.

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