Ratings

Nielsen filled all but 1 or 2 spots on its 34-seat board overseeing the $2.5mln R&D fund to be managed by clients. The Council for Research Excellence will hold its 1st meeting in NYC June 8, Nielsen said in a letter to clients. A top priority will be to develop a process for identifying research issues that will be considered for funding. Council members include: Lifetime research head Tim Brooks, Viacom Cable research evp Betsy Frank, CAB’s Ira Sussman and Turner research guru Jack Wakshlag. — Nielsen launched its DVR diary this month. Installation of DVR HHs in the National and Local People Meter samples remains on schedule for Jan. — As promised, DC broadcasters blasted plans to launch LPMs there. In a press conference, they complained the service hasn’t met minimum standards of the Media Ratings Council. They also said fault rates are disproportionately higher for African American and Hispanic HHs. Nielsen said May data shows the LPM had lower fault rates than the meter and diary system.