NRS Invites Bids For New Research Contract

National Readership Surveys Ltd (NRS), the industry-funded organisation which controls the UK National Readership Survey, is inviting bids for its next four year readership contract, worth over £2m per year.

Ipsos-RSL has held the contract since 1992. The next contract would begin on 1 January 2002 and would involve the continued production of readership data for all UK national newspapers and approximately 250 consumer magazines.

NRS managing director Roger Pratt said, “Ipsos-RSL has done a good job for us over many years. A competitive bid for the new contract will ensure that the survey continues to run as effectively as possible.”

A key element of this effectiveness will be the requirement for in-home personal interviews to be carried out using a computer screen to illustrate the questions. A random sample of 36,000 adults each year are to be surveyed, for a minimum of four years. This methodology is due to be tested before it is commissioned in 2002.

The NRS is due to issue the technical specification of the contract to interested research companies next month. The winner should be announced by the end of the year.

National Readership Survey Ltd: 020 7632 2915