ABC, CBS Sign New 4-Year Contracts With Nielsen Media Research.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OCTOBER 21, 1998--

CBS Is First Broadcast Network to Buy New Custom Data-Access System

Nielsen Media Research (NYSE: NMR) announced today the signing of ABC and CBS to new, four-year network contracts which will provide the television networks with a broad level of media information services. The new contracts are similar to the one signed in July by NBC.

During the time these contracts are in place, Nielsen Media Research will be testing and implementing a new electronic metering system to measure television in tomorrow's digital environment. The new system, called the Active/Passive Meter, is being tested in the Northeast U.S. Nielsen Media will also be developing and rolling out several versions of powerful and flexible software tools designed to allow its customers to analyze their data in far more depth and in less time than ever before.

In addition to its network contract, CBS is the first broadcast television network to sign up for the new, state-of-the-art, custom analysis system from Nielsen Media Research. The Desktop Access Research Tool (D.A.R.T.) will empower CBS to access respondent-level data from a "data warehouse" that contains virtually the entire breadth of Nielsen Media's data, and then to customize that information according to the network's unique research needs - right at their desktop PC.

"This contract represents a constructive partnership between CBS and Nielsen Media Research," said David Poltrack, executive vice president, planning and research for CBS. "We welcome this opportunity to work closely with Nielsen Media Research to continuously improve the quality of the measurement, and prepare for the challenges associated with the new digital television environment. We need better, faster access to the data, and we are optimistic that D.A.R.T., which Nielsen Media has just made available, will enable CBS to perform the kind of custom research we need to grow the business."

According to Alan Wurtzel, senior vice president, media development, brand management and research at ABC: "I recently visited Nielsen Media's Operations Center near Tampa, and I am impressed at the scope of the work going on there to ensure that commercial television remains the best measured, most reliable medium of commercial expression. I look forward to working in partnership with Nielsen Media Research to make sure we continue to have the best measurement possible."

"These agreements represent a new partnership between Nielsen Media Research and our broadcast network customers," said Buzz Moschetto, general manager in charge of national services for Nielsen Media Research. "The contracts also demonstrate our commitment to a process of continuous improvement in the national measurement service by providing our customers with the timely, reliable information that they need to be successful in a rapidly changing and an increasingly competitive environment. "

Nielsen Media Research (NYSE: NMR) is the leading provider of television audience measurement and related services in the United States and Canada. Its National People Meter Service provides audience estimates for all national program sources, including broadcast networks, cable networks, and national syndicators. Local rating services estimate audiences for each of 210 television markets in the U.S., including electronic metered service in 40 markets. Additional information: http://www.nielsenmedia.com.