TV measurement was already complicated, but it’s about to get more so.
The Insights: TV measurement is complicated, and it could get even more confusing. The Advertising Research Foundation, a leading trade group, wants to expand what TV measurement is by including households that do not have TVs.
The ARF (Advertising Research Foundation) is moving toward a new definition called “TV-accessible households.” These households can include those who have access to TV sets, but choose to stream instead. These streaming households count for 4% of the U.S. population while the other 1% is 'true' non-TV users, making up 5% of traditional non-TV users. According to the AFR, 14% of households headed by someone 18-34 and 39% of households with singles ranging from 18-34 have no TV sets. The ARF hasn’t prescribed a set date when the industry should adopt this expanded definition of “TV-accessible households.” But Donato said: “When you see cross-platform data being used, I think there’s no way to avoid non-TV households. And also what it does is forces you to do a better job measuring mobile and non-TV devices in TV households.”
Measurement companies should start to count those households that do not have TV sets. This would give a better outlook on data and those they are trying to reach. Personally, as a mid-20s female, I have not used a TV set since living with my parents. Everything I watch is streamed, however, that does not mean I am not watching TV. In my eyes, that is why it is important to measure non-TV users.