Nielsen to Rate Dish Network

Nielsen Media Research has agreed to start to measure DISH Network's viewership. Nielsen, as part of VNU Media Measurement & Information, is the top provider of TV viewing measurements.

Nielsen already provides the service for DirecTV Group Inc., the largest satellite TV company, and will replace Turner Advertising Group that has worked with DISH Network previously.

Part of why DISH Network is "upgrading" its viewership measurements, is because advertisers are starting to get used to the detailed user information available on Internet, and demand similar clarity from TV audience measurements.

DISH Network (owned by EchoStar) is the second-largest satellite TV company with 11.4 million customers.