Nielsen

Nielsen is a Danish-origin surname meaning “son of Niels,” and it is also used as the name of a global information, data, and measurement company. The brand is best known for its work in audience measurement and consumer insights, including the long-established Nielsen ratings system for television.

The company that bears the Nielsen name was founded in 1923 by Arthur C. Nielsen Sr. in Chicago, Illinois, as a market research firm. It developed and popularized television audience measurement, establishing a standard method used by advertisers and broadcasters to gauge viewing patterns. Over time, the business expanded into digital measurement, radio audience assessment, and broader market research.

Today, Nielsen operates through multiple business lines. Nielsen Media Research focuses on TV and digital audience measurement, while NielsenIQ provides retail and consumer packaged goods data and analytics. The firm offers a range of services that cover cross-platform audience measurement, advertising effectiveness, and consumer insights for clients in media, advertising, retail, and manufacturing. Its operations span more than a hundred countries, with clients including broadcasters, streaming platforms, advertisers, agencies, manufacturers, and retailers.

Nielsen data are gathered through a mix of panels, meters, and digital tracking technologies, and are used for program development, media planning, audience targeting, and market research. As with any large data and measurement enterprise, Nielsen faces ongoing discussions about sampling methodologies, privacy, and the interpretation of metrics in rapidly changing media landscapes. The company has undergone structural and ownership changes common to large information businesses, while continuing to position itself as a supplier of cross-platform measurement and consumer insight.