Barb

Barb operates as a UK joint industry measurement body that designs, commissions and governs the national audience measurement system for television and online video. It manages a large, controlled household panel and associated data fusion methodologies, combining people‑based viewing data with broadcaster and platform census feeds to produce standardised ratings and reach metrics across screens and services. These outputs are delivered in structured data files, via planning tools and integrations, and through APIs. As a not‑for‑profit limited by guarantee, Barb is funded primarily by contributions from its owning underwriters (major broadcasters and an industry association), supplemented by commercial licensing of its data and tools to broadcasters, media agencies, advertisers and other professional users. The organisation outsources much of the fieldwork, metering and processing to specialist research and analytics suppliers under tendered contracts, acting as the central standards‑setting and product‑defining entity for UK TV and video audience data.

Barb (Broadcasters' Audience Research Board) is the United Kingdom’s joint industry committee responsible for providing the standard television and video audience measurement service. It operates a large, nationally representative viewing panel, fuses this with broadcaster and platform census data, and distributes minute‑by‑minute ratings and reach metrics across linear TV, BVOD, SVOD and other devices. Its data underpin trading, planning and accountability across the UK TV and video advertising market.

Barb is a not‑for‑profit company limited by guarantee, owned and underwritten by major UK broadcasters and the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising. It creates value by supplying audited, industry‑standard audience data, planning tools and APIs to broadcasters, media agencies, advertisers, regulators and analysts. Funding comes from underwriter contributions and from licences and subscriptions for access to its data, tools and integration services.