Nielsen is the gold standard when it comes to TV viewership ratings across the world – and finally, it announced yesterday: it is taking the big step of adding online TV views to its ratings.

“Nielsen said it has begun counting viewership on new streaming TV services offered by Hulu and YouTube toward the official ratings for shows, its latest step to modernise measurement standards as digital consumption increases.

“Those metrics will now include viewing across desktops and mobile devices from “skinny bundles” offered by Hulu and YouTube — slimmed-down packages of cable channels that stream live for a monthly fee, acting as a replacement for traditional cable service.

“This is the first time we see major digital distribution platforms like Hulu and YouTube coming into the TV ratings,” said Megan Clarken, president of product leadership at Nielsen.

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