BARB Bulletin: Satellite Measurement

BARB has issued the following bulletin regarding measuring audiences for satellite channels after 1st September 1993:

“From September this year substantial further encryption of satellite channels is expected and many of these channels will be available as elements of subscription packages”.

The BARB panel contains currently some 650 homes with satellite reception either through dish aerial or via a cable system. This number of panel homes will steadily increase as the number of homes in the UK with cable and satellite reception increases. The BARB panel is controlled to reflect the main elements of satellite and cable reception but although estimates for reception of individual channels can be made from the Establishment Survey it is not controlled by sub-universes for each individual channel. When further encryption is introduced in the Autumn it will take some months before any estimate for the number of homes subscribing to the new packages can be made from the Establishment Survey. Universe estimates for individual channels will however be made from the Establishment Survey as soon as sufficient data becomes available.

Lack of individual channel universes will not affect our ability to estimate audiences for each subscription channel as we would expect our very substantial sample of cable/satellite homes to reflect subscription choices made by the homes with these reception capabilities.All channel ratings will continue to be calculated as at present from the total panel members viewing within cable and satellite reception homes.

Representation and control of the cable and satellite element of the BARB panel are under regular review by RSMB and the industry Technical Advisory Group.

As the market develops, further adjustment will be made to the panel controls in order to maintain the best possible estimates for viewing.”

Further enquiries: Michael de Sallis BARB Tel: 081 741 9110