Nielsen out-of-home ratings system to launch in September

The New York Times: Beginning in September, Nielsen will release national ratings for television viewing outside the home in places like bars, hotels, gyms and offices. The ratings will be calculated using cell phone tracking devices that recognize programs by sounds. The cell phone will be provided free to 4,700 participants, who will be paid a small fee each month. The participants pay their own cell phone bills. Integrated Media Measurement has recruited 3,000 people who are in six cities — New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Denver and Houston — and Nielsen will recruit 1,700 others, aiming for them to be demographically representative.

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