via MediaWeek:
Time Warner signed a new, seven-year contract with Nielsen in a first-of-its-kind deal that covers measurement and research services for a broad range of video media, including TV, online and mobile, as well as advertising segmentation and consumer engagement research.
As part of the agreement, announced Wednesday (Aug. 19) Nielsen will provide services to all of Time Warner's business units, including Turner Broadcasting, the CW Television Network, HBO, Warner Brothers Domestic TV Distribution, Time Inc., RET Media and station WPCH.
The news of the deal follows reports that a dozen media companies, advertisers and ad agencies, including Time Warner, have formed an alliance to develop new ways to measure TV audiences across all platforms. While insiders have claimed that the alliance is not meant to compete with Nielsen, reports have interpreted the move as a major challenge to Nielsen's dominance.
I wonder if Alanis would define this as irony?