BARB Increases Panel For New TV Audience Research Contract

BARB, the industry body in charge of television audience research, has this morning announced that it is to increase the size of its sample panel when the new research contract begins in January 2002. The current panel size is 4,500 homes; this will be increased by 13% to 5,100 under the new contract.

There is also to be a more effective regional distribution of the panel, correcting for current underrepresentation in London and the Midlands. As a result of this and the increase network panel size, BARB estimates that the effective sample size will grow by around 18%.

BARB has not yet announced the award of the survey contract, which is currently held with market research company Taylor Nelson Sofres. The Board is set to announce the winner in April this year.

BARB: 020 7529 5529