Nielsen measures social media impact of TV on Twitter and Facebook

Nielsen, a global information and measurement company that helps companies understand consumers and consumer behaviour, has reached agreement with Facebook to improve how it measures the social media impact of TV shows, a useful means of assessing the size of an audience on Wednesday

Nielsen said a recent study it carried out found that nearly 60% of smartphone and tablet owners use their devices while watching television, at least several times a week. (Twitter)

Nielsen, a global information and measurement company that helps companies understand consumers and consumer behaviour, has reached agreement with Facebook to improve how it measures the social media impact of TV shows, a useful means of assessing the size of an audience on Wednesday.

Nielsen previously created an indicator with Twitter -- Nielsen Twitter TV Ratings -- in 2013 after long being criticised for failing to adapt to the changing ways in which people watch television. It allowed Nielsen to measure the number of Internet users sending tweets while watching a program, and also the number of people who see those tweets. Since, most shows and event encourage their viewers to tweet about them.

Now, this tool is being expanded to include Facebook comments, and the new set of metrics will be called Nielsen's Social Content Ratings, according to a Nielsen statement issued Wednesday.

The Facebook component will include posts shared with friends and family, with followers, and publicly.

Nielsen said a recent study it carried out found that nearly 60% of smartphone and tablet owners use their devices while watching television, at least several times a week.

"The development of Social Content Ratings reflects Nielsen's commitment to continually adapt our services to meet the needs of the industry and is part of Nielsen's ongoing effort to evolve our measurement to reflect the total audience across screens and platforms," said Sean Casey, president of Nielsen Social.

Aside from in the US, the service will be available in Australia, Mexico and Italy.