Netflix has signed up to the TV ratings agency Barb (Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board), meaning its audiences will now be measured externally. From November, viewing figures for the streaming giant will be reported by the organisation, which compiles audience measurement and TV ratings in the UK.
The move makes Barb the first industry-owned audience currency in the world that Netflix has joined. Streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have historically released only snapshots of their viewing data, often highlighting the successes of their bigger shows.
Barb will report Netflix’s ratings in the same way it reports viewing for more than 300 other subscribing broadcast channels, from mainstream services such as the BBC and ITV to smaller channels such as Dave. It comes as Netflix reportedly readies to launch an ad-supported tier for its streaming platform.
