Television Rating Accreditation
Issue
For more than 40 years, the Media Rating Council (MRC), an industry
association charged with establishing best practices in developing ratings systems, has
provided a venue for companies and their clients to work together to determine the
most effective ways to measure television, radio and other audiences. This
process has worked independent of government intervention, but some seek to alter the
self-regulation process in favor of increased governmental regulation of the
field.
AAF Position
The AAF believes in the power of self-regulation. We oppose legislation
designed to add unneeded government oversight to television rating accreditation
because it would slow innovation to a crawl and undermine the self-regulation
process. New systems and technologies, such as digital video recorders, video on demand
and local people meters, would remain without a suitable benchmarking method
until government regulators and companies agree to acceptable standards—a
process that could take years.
Opposition
Some entities question the accuracy of television ratings and want to see
providers of ratings held more accountable for the products they offer, even if it
means slowing innovation in ratings measurement.
Legislation
S. 1372: Fairness, Accuracy, Inclusivity and Responsiveness in Ratings Act of
2005 (FAIR Ratings Act). Introduced by Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., July 1, 2005.
This measure would require accreditation of all television ratings measurement
systems by the MRC before a company can provide or sell ratings information. This
bill has three co-sponsors, but no hearings have been held or scheduled.
H.R. 3298: Television Viewer Consumer Protection Act of 2005. Introduced by Rep. Fossella, R-N.Y. This bill prevents the sale or dissemination of ratings data by any service not accredited by the MRC. This bill has 24 co-sponsors, but no hearings have been held or scheduled.
Last updated: March 2006