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Set Top Box Lexicon
Introduction
The analysis of set-top box data in the U.S. is in its formative stages. Data are not currently available from all multichannel operators, but there are indications that the necessary steps are being taken to standardize data coming from a wide variety of configurations of networks, hardware and software. The data that are starting to become available include not only linear TV data, but data from DVR playback, VOD (Video-on Demand) sessions, ITV (Interactive TV) applications, the EPG (Electronic Program Guide), as well as data from remote controls. Data can be pulled from software on the set-top box itself and also through network monitoring tools, such as SDV (Switched Digital Video) which is being rapidly deployed in cable MSOs (Multiple Service Operators) to monitor bandwidth and enable more efficient use of bandwidth.
It will take a good deal of effort and investment for multichannel operators to provide data to end processors that will meet high quality standards to pass an audit as either an analytical tool or as a currency for buying and selling advertising. There are currently a number of measurement constraints that need to be resolved starting with the standardization of terms and metrics, and agreement on the best algorithm for defining when a set top box is on, but the TV is off. Additionally, some data processors are focused on determining who is in front of a TV when it is being tuned and how many people are viewing, whereas others are working with the current media measurement services or other sources to provide these data. There are also coverage issues that some data processors are modeling because Return Path Data aren’t available for over-the-air homes, for non-connected sets and satellite homes that aren’t connected to phone lines. Again, some processors are relying on current media measurement services for these estimates. Finally, there are a range of basic technical issues being addressed, such as synchronizing time across systems, developing edit rules for data outages, accurately identifying content and ads across different boxes and systems, as well as managing the enormous volume of data generated. The end user community needs to be satisfied that all these issues have been resolved.
There are educational needs within the end user community to learn to use these new tools, and to incorporate them into existing media measurement data processing systems and procedures. This is the key reason for the CIMM Lexicon. CIMM represents a coalition of end users of media measurement, including large TV-based media companies, media buying agencies and large advertisers. The end users need to establish and learn a new common language of media measurement, so the CIMM Lexicon is helping to provide that service to the industry.
STB data have the potential to keep the TV industry growing and thriving by providing greater accuracy and granularity. The potential uses of STB data are many:
- STB data, with its larger footprint, can enable unmeasured networks (often highly targeted networks) to finally be measured with statistical stability, enabling them to attract more advertising and grow.
- STB data can also provide the granularity needed to produce TV ratings for smaller audiences who are underrepresented in current measurement.
- Tuning data can be provided at second-by-second intervals, providing the potential to measure the audience for commercials with lengths shorter than a minute vs. the current approach of measuring average commercial minutes over the duration of a program.
- Additionally, sellers of local advertising across all networks in small markets often find themselves without enough stable data to get credit for advertisements aired on their networks. Set-top box data can give them the robust currency needed to attract more advertisers and grow their businesses.
- Finally, STB data enable forms of segmented advertising and creative versioning for programs, networks, dayparts and geographic areas. This can make TV advertising more relevant in the same way that direct marketing has benefited from careful management of customer databases for many years. Set-top box data can provide new opportunities for the TV industry to attract spending from advertisers that has been spent on direct mail.
Note that the challenges facing the multichannel operators in bringing STB data products to market aren’t only technical. There are regulatory and privacy concerns that are being addressed by the industry to make sure that data are aggregated and de-identified. There are also business models that need to be built, since the data business is new for multichannel operators, whose primary concern is the relationship with their subscribers, followed distantly by their advertising partnerships. Data represent an opportunity to serve both consumers and advertisers better, if managed correctly. Also, both sellers and buyers of STB data need to determine the right value for the data, depending on the different products that can be developed.
All these new opportunities take time to develop, and the initiatives taken now will shape the nature of STB data products. CIMM’s goal is to support development of the STB data business, and the Lexicon is the first step in this direction. Note that the CIMM Lexicon will be periodically updated to reflect changes in this growing new area of media measurement.
CIMM would like to thank all of the more than 30 different companies to whom we sent the Review Draft of the Lexicon, representing all different points along the data chain from multichannel operators to hardware and software companies to industry associations. Below is a list of some of the companies and industry groups who received the Review Draft. Note that some companies who received the Review Draft opted not to be listed here. Note also that the Lexicon includes some Video-on-Demand (VOD) terms and definitions composed by CTAM’s Advanced Cable Solutions Consortium and some interactive TV definitions from the IAB’s Interactive Television Committee. Additionally a CableLabs committee is currently reviewing a number of definitions in the Lexicon, and we will include their updated definitions in Version 2.0.
We would like to thank all the companies and industry groups for their input, and we would especially like to thank the companies who responded to our initial Request for Information (RFI) which helped us recognize the need for such a Lexicon. These companies are: Big Band Networks, Fourth Wall Media, Kantar Media Audiences (formerly TNS Media Research), Nielsen, Rentrak, TiVo and TRA. And finally, we would like to commend Charlene Weisler, who is the one who compiled and created these terms, for her diligence, tenacity, methodological rigor and attention to detail.
Companies Receiving Review Draft of CIMM STB Lexicon
- American Association of Advertising Agencies
- Arbitron
- AT&T U-Verse
- BigBand Networks
- Bright House Networks
- CableLabs
- Canoe Ventures
- Cisco
- Concurrent
- CTAM’s Advanced Cable Solutions Consortium
- DirecTV
- Dish Network/Echostar Communications
- Fourth Wall Media
- Google TV
- IAB
- INVIDI
- Kantar Media Audiences
- Motorola
- Navic
- Nielsen Advanced Digital Services
- Rentrak
- Rovi
- Star Media Enterprises
- TiVo
- TRA Global
- Visible World
- Verizon FiOS
Preface
Set-Top Box data collection, aggregation and measurement are currently in its formative stages with several companies offering media measurement applications for the data via sophisticated user interfaces. Every day, many new terms and new metrics are being created as a result of their efforts.
The need for a comprehensive lexicon of Set-Top Box data terms has become apparent. Until now, there was no single source that offered a full reference list of these metrics and their definitions. This CIMM project is an important step in expanding the understanding and ultimate adoption of Set-Top Box data as an accepted industry measurement.
The following document is an effort to create a common language so that the standardization and adoption of Set-Top Box data as a media measurement can proceed smoothly and efficiently across the industry. This is not a final document but a work in progress that will be continually updated.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank all of the participating companies, committees, consortiums and organizations who graciously gave their time and expertise to the compilation of what appears to be the definitive lexicon of Set-Top Box terms and definitions currently available today. Many of these groups donated their own lexicons to be including in this master document and we have been careful to source these terms in the text body.
I would also like to thank CIMM Managing Director Jane Clarke who, through her commitment to creating the definitive Set-Top Box data lexicon, was able to reach out and enlist widespread participation and cooperation from the full compendium of data companies. It is a testament to her and to the CIMM Committee that we had such a widespread level of cooperation and sharing of information.
Compiled and Edited by Charlene Weisler
WeislerMedia@yahoo.com
Lexicon Format
Terms generally fall into the following categories: Actions, Business Units, Data Types, Ad & Program Formats, Hardware, Indicators, Measurements & Metrics and Software.
All terms are formatted in the following structure:
Term
See Also
CIMM DEFINITION is the Primary Definition (Source if any).
N : Secondary Definitions by Processor (Source)
N : Same term but different definitions used by processors (if any)
N : Different term but same definition used by processors (If any)
NOTE – Any points of interest or notes from various sources
Lexicon Sources and References
In addition to the sources indicated against each term, there are other source documents and lexicons that have proven useful in expanding the range of terms and their definitions. Here are the other Reference Sites and Guides for the Lexicon that are not necessarily noted within the body of the Lexicon:
Access Network
CIMM DEFINITION : An electronic signal transmission segue point from the home to the access point in a signal.
2: A network that connects directly to an end user or customer. Made up of high-speed lines between major switching points. (Source: PC Mag.com)
Accumulated Reach
See also: Reach
CIMM DEFINITION : The total number of homes, Set-Top Boxes or individuals, which can be expressed in thousands or as a percentage, who have viewed at least once within a specific program or period of time aggregated across time or across individual pieces of content. Accumulated Reach can sometimes be higher than the Cume audience because it is based on a long term audience estimate, not with base minute minimums.
NOTE - Common usage to date has had both Cume and Accumulated Reach as interchangeable. In both cases there can be a minimum tuning duration or not. (Source: TRA)
Ad Avails
CIMM DEFINITION : Advertising spots available to an advertiser, national broadcaster, cable operator or other seller of advertising time to insert advertising on a television network, whether cable or broadcast.
Ad Code
See also: Ad-ID, Metadata, Program Code, Watermark
CIMM DEFINITION : Unique identifiers that are added to ads that make them easier to track and measure. Also known as an Ad-ID code.
2: Twelve digit identifiers that an advertising agency places on their advertising inventory (as watermarks and metadata). This will replace ISCI. The identifiers are available from www.ad-id-org. (Source: AAAA).
NOTE - This should be extended to include each unique ad version. Visible World’s system automatically assigns a unique ISCI or Ad-ID to each unique video version created and ordered for distribution. (Source: Visible World)
NOTE - Local ads can have ad codes. The practice is just further developed nationally. (Source: TRA)
Ad Content
CIMM DEFINITION : Content provided by advertisers.
ADM abbr Ad Decision Manager
CIMM DEFINITION : The Ad Management Service defines messages in support of ad insertion activities. The primary user of these messages is an Ad Decision Service (ADS). The message interfaces exposed by an ADM allow for both preconfigured ad decisions as well as real-time fulfillment models. An ADM implementation may incorporate some simple ad selection rules (ex. ad rotations) but more complex ad decisions are the responsibility of an ADS. Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
NOTE - There is another definition for ADM in SCTE130. We need to separate the two. Also, why does this have to be SaaS. Most of the operators that we work with require that the systems be in their domain and managed internally. ADS is inconsistent with SCTE130. (Source: Invidi)
ADS abbr Ad Decision Servers
See also: Advanced Advertising
(Same acronym for Alternate Delivery System)
CIMM DEFINITION : Part of the addressable advertising application framework that loads, feeds out, traffics and tracks delivered and aired addressable ads. Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
2: A third party Graphic User Interface (abbr GUI) and client side app that advertisers and ad agencies use to manage their campaigns and place orders in real-time. (Source: BigBand Networks)
3: Determines how advertising content is combined with non-advertising (i.e. entertainment) content assets. The decisions made by ADS may be straightforward (i.e. specific ad content placed at a specific time in a specific asset) or arbitrarily complex (based on subscriber data, advertising zone, etc.).
Addressability
See also: Advanced Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability of an operator or provider to direct specific content to specific geographies or audiences.
2: “The ability of a digital device to individually respond to a message sent to many similar devices. Examples include pagers, mobile phones, and Set-Top Boxes for pay TV. Computer networks are also addressable, such as via the MAC address on Ethernet network cards, and similar networking protocols like Bluetooth. This allows data to be sent in cases where it is impractical (or impossible, such as with wireless devices) to control exactly where or to which devices the message is physically sent.” (Source: Wikipedia)
3: “Functionality that enables the delivery of targeted content by allowing a cable operator (or multichannel operator) to remotely activate, disconnect or unscramble the signal received by a subscriber.” (Source: Nielsen Media Research)
Addressable Ad Insertions
CIMM DEFINITION : Video commercial units targeted to an audience.
Addressable Advertising
See also: Advanced Advertising, Versioning
CIMM DEFINITION : Advertising that is directed to specific geographies or audiences to increase its relevance.
2: “An advertisement sent to a specific home, Set-Top Box or geography.” (Source: Nielsen Media Research)
3: “Specific video advertisements that target a set of audiences, homes, or Set-Top Boxes. Such targeting can be based on viewer information including thematic, geography, demographic, and /or behavioral data. Such targeting techniques can be applied to various video services including broadcast, SDV, DVR, and /or VOD program channels.” (Source: BigBand Networks)
4: “An advertisement or interactive enhancement that is presented to a specific subset of STBs in the universe/footprint. Alternatively, a collection of advertisements or enhancements that are broadcast to the universe/footprint, from which a single advertisement and/or enhancement is individually selected and presented to each STB.” (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE – “There is a broad spectrum of addressability mechanisms. On one end is the Canoe CAAS architecture that selects a specific advertisement for every STB at each placement opportunity and inserts the chosen ad or enhancement into a custom stream for each STB. At the other end is the AdWidgets system from FourthWall Media, which embeds (binds) EBIF enhancements into spot ads, which are then broadcast to an entire footprint or zone, and once executing on the STB the EBIF enhancement makes a decision about whether or not to present itself on the current STB. (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE - We define addressable advertising as the use of data sets to enable more targeted matches between messages and audiences than takes place in the current environment. Addressable advertising can therefore occur at the national, regional, market, neighborhood, household, or individual level.” (Source: Visible World)
NOTE – Addressable Advertising allows for multi-advertiser spots and is the foundation for interactivity. (Source: Invidi)
Ad-ID
See also: Ad Code
CIMM DEFINITION : Ad-ID upgrades the previous ISCI commercial coding system and replaces other methods used to identify advertising assets. Ad-ID is the industry standard identifier for all forms of media. Developed by the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A's) and the Association of National Advertisers, Inc. (ANA). (Source: IAB)
ADM abbr Ad Manager
See also: Ad Decision Manager
CIMM DEFINITION : A system that allows the user to manage commercial inventory - loading, scheduling, selling, processing, delivering, measuring - via a SaaS application. Originally coined by Google, the term now extends to Set-Top Box data measurement in the addressable advertising realm.
2: A server based application owned by the operator; interacts with the Media Services Platform (abbr MSP) to determine information about the real-time opportunity; interacts with the ADS to choose ads. (Source: BigBand Networks)
3: A software or hardware component within the cable’s CAAS system with SCTE-130 conformed interfaces. Its primary function is to be broker between ad decision system, ad inventory system, and ad delivery system. Typically, the ADMs are provided by linear ad insertion or VOD system vendors. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Ad Occurrence Data
CIMM DEFINITION : Data points that indicate when an ad has aired as-run as opposed to when a program or other content has aired.
2: Includes metadata. (Source: TIVO) NOTE - What is the finest level of granularity desirable to report ad occurrence - one second, 5 seconds or more. (Source: TRA)
Ad Retention Index
See also: Commercial Viewership Index
CIMM DEFINITION : The ratio of commercial viewing average audience to total program viewing average audience. (Source: Rentrak)
NOTE - This is not recommended as a general industry term because this ratio is reflective of not just pure ad retention but also the program audience trend from beginning to end may be increasing or decreasing as at the beginning or end of prime time. TRA for that reason calls this the Commercial Rating index (CRI) – the index to the average program rating – which is what is clearly is. Ad retention should be measured against the base of homes that start the commercial. (Source: TRA)
Ad Skipping
See also: Commercial Avoidance, Trick Play, Measured Ad Skipping
CIMM DEFINITION : The act of fast forwarding (or skipping ahead as on TIVO) and therefore not completely viewing an ad. It is one possible result of a viewer using the trick play mode of DVRs and other recording devices.
NOTE – There are other forms of commercial avoidance such mental tune-out, conversation, other activities e.g. reading, using a phone or a computer device. (Source: TRA)
Ad Tags
See also: Ad Codes, Ad-ID
CIMM DEFINITION : Unique identifier for an online ad that indicates to the advertiser that their ad has run.
Advanced Advertising
See also: Addressable Advertising, Interactive Advertising, Customized Advertising, Dynamic Advertising, In-Navigation Video Ads
CIMM DEFINITION : A range of advertising solutions designed to leverage the interactive nature of digital Set-Top Boxes and enhance the value of TV by offering, for example, request for information, polling and trivia , Telescoping, Ad-Versioning Dynamic Advertising and T-commerce applications via the television through the use of the Remote Control.
NOTE - “Advanced TV Advertising capabilities should include Addressable Advertising, Interactive Advertising, Customized Advertising, Dynamic Advertising, and Measurement. Addressable Advertising would include TV ad targeting based on geographic, viewer or household segment attributes. Interactive Advertising would include things like the use of polls and voting mechanisms but these do not have to be addressable. Customized Advertising entails the ability to efficiently and automatically customize video in real or near-real-time so that the ads can be made more relevant to each of the targeted segment(s) of viewers Dynamic Advertising would entail the ability to update the content of an ad in real-time or near-real-time basis based on automated data feeds (e.g. changes in local TV ads based on local weather conditions or inventory data). Measurement would include the ability to obtain census level campaign metrics based on STB data.” (Source: Visible World)
Advanced Digital Set-Top Boxes
See also: Set-Top Box
CIMM DEFINITION : Same as Advanced Set-Top Boxes Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
Advanced Set-Top Boxes
See also: All-In-One Set-Top Box, Digital Set-Top Box, Enhanced Set-Top Box, Integrated Set-Top Box, Set-Top Box
CIMM DEFINITION : Set-Top Boxes that are considered "fully integrated" with good processors, ample memory and optional large hard drives. These boxes have more advanced features and are more likely to be integrated with such services as DVRs, high-speed internet access, interactive TV, digital video recording and gaming. (Source: itvdictionary.com)
NOTE - Other terms for Advanced Set-Top Boxes are Advanced Digital Set-Top Boxes, Smart TV Set-Top Box, Thick Boxes, All-In-One Set-Top Box, Media Center.
NOTE - These boxes may or may not have connected back paths. This should be noted; only satellite has digital STBs that are often not connected to upstream paths. (Source: TRA)
ATVEF abbr Advanced Television Enhancement Forum
CIMM DEFINITION : A commercial technology organization or "cross-industry alliance" formed by many different companies from the broadcast and cable networks, television transports, consumer electronics, and PC industries. The goal was to develop HTML-based protocols to promote the standardization of enhanced TV. Tools and other supportive technologies that were "ATVEF-compliant" enabled the creation and distribution of enhancements through the analog and digital signal. Representatives developed a technology specification that enabled broadcasters to send data (based on Internet standards) through the "Vertical Blanking Interval." If the viewer's Set-Top Box had the proper software to receive and interpret ATVEF data, whatever was designed and sent would show up on the TV screen. That data might appear as raw data or complex interactive interfaces. This technology has been made somewhat obsolete by the deployment of digital Set-Top Box es. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
ATSC abbr Advanced Television Systems Committee
CIMM DEFINITION : An organization founded in 1983 to research and develop a television standard in the United States; An international organization of 200 members that is establishing voluntary technical standards for advanced television systems. (Source: CableLabs)
2: Developed a new set of standards for digital television to replace analog offering, among other things, much higher resolution.
3: Also used to refer to a platform’s inclusion of an ATSC tuner which allows reception of over-the-air (OTA) digital and HD channels. (Source: TIVO)
Advertainment
CIMM DEFINITION : Entertainment that blurs the line between advertising and content.
AME abbr Advertising Media Exposure Report
CIMM DEFINITION : The TRA report most similar to traditional ratings reports. NOTE - This should be defined as the report that shows which ad variant has been shown to which target audience segment. This report can and should be generated by any provider/enabler of advanced advertising. (Source: Visible World)
Ad Widgets
See also: Widgets
CIMM DEFINITION : The same definition as Widgets.
2: A suite of EBIF enhancement products designed specifically to be used with spot ads. These enhancements may include RFI, Polling, VOD Telescoping, Click-to-call. (Source: FourthWall Media)
3: A product from FourthWall Media that provides an end-to-end system to create, deliver and measure the interactive enhancements with linear spot advertising. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Ad Zone
CIMM DEFINITION : A coverage area of television homes that can be served targeted advertising via a server by a multi-channel operator.
2: The area reserved by a site owner for third party advertisements placed by an ad serving company. (Source: Nielsen)
Aggregation Server
CIMM DEFINITION : A system that enables the joining / combining of various large datasets on an aggregate and de-identified basis.
All-In-One Set-Top Box
See also: Advanced Set-Top Box, Digital Set-Top Box, Enhanced Set-Top Box, Integrated Set-Top Box, Set-Top Box
CIMM DEFINITION : Set-Top Boxes that have more advanced features and are more likely to be integrated with such services as DVRs, high-speed internet access, interactive TV, digital video recording and gaming. Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
ADS abbr Alternate Delivery System
(Same acronym for Ad Decision Servers) CIMM DEFINITION : Used in both local and national arenas, it refers to signals delivered by means other than via cable and over-the-air, such as satellite and Telco.
Analog Signal
See also: Digital Cable, Digital
CIMM DEFINITION : In telecommunications, analog refers to a transmission standard that uses variable frequencies and amplitudes of electrical impulses to emulate the audio waveform of sound. A traditional form of telecommunications transmission in a constant variable wave, rather than in packet-based (or digital) form. (Source: CableLabs)
2: An older version of a TV signal or the Set-Top Box that transmits programs in the lowest television definition in use today - 480i format. Data is transmitted only in one direction - to the household or viewers. There is usually no "back channel" or "return path" transmission where data or usage is transmitted back to the headend or operator.
3: A continuous electronic signal that carries information in the form of a continuously variable waves unlike digital signals which are made up of discrete pulses. (Source: Nielsen)
4: Refers to the way cable broadcasts are transmitted directly from the television wall cable to the television. It is one method by which television signals are transmitted since Low Power TV stations still transmit analog signals.
5: Type of cable signal that normally does not allow back channel. With a STB or DVR, return path data collection may become possible. (Source: TIVO)
NOTE – In addition to the lack of a return path, analog STBs provide no consistent mechanism for the download or execution of software, and thus cannot provide any interactivity, including IPGs and EBIF. (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE - You can’t serve a household targeted ad via an analog signal. (Visible World)
NOTE - This definition is the definition of an analog STB not an analog signal, and it excludes the key relevant characteristic of an analog STB, namely it has fewer channels than a digital STB. (Source: TRA)
Anamorphic
CIMM DEFINITION : Describes the way 16:9 films are compressed to be shown on a 4:3 television screen with black bars on the top and bottom of the picture.
Anonymization
See also: Hashed ID, De-Identify
CIMM DEFINITION : A series of systems, processes and controls that remove personally identifiable data components from a data set thereby eliminating or reducing the likelihood that certain characteristics or attributes, whether by themselves or in combination with other information, can be mapped to specific identifiable individuals.
NOTE – “Hashing and anonymization are not synonyms. Hashing is a form of anonymization which sometimes prevents tracking the same household from one day to the next, hence not providing reach/frequency metrics. Anonymization can be achieved with persistent anonymous ID codes where reach/frequency metrics are still available.” (Source: TRA)
Anonymization Tier
See also: Anonymization
CIMM DEFINITION : In the process of collecting, decoding, aggregating, processing and reporting STB measurements, data may pass through multiple processing points, each of which may enforce a different level of anonymity and network access. For example, within a cable back-end a mapping between STB MAC address and subscriber information must be available for billing purposes, but network access at this level is severely restricted. This represents a low-level tier of anonymization. A processing point in a higher anonymization tier may have wider network access, but MAC address may be replaced by a unique but anonymous identifier, while billing information may be replaced by ZIP+4 or the like, providing greater anonymity. (Source: FourthWall Media)
API abbr Application Programming Interface
CIMM DEFINITION : An interface implemented by a software program in order to enable interaction with other software. Set-Top Box data processors use API to receive, process and output the data. (Source: Wikipedia) 2: Standard compliant web service interfaces. (Source: TRA)
Application Interactions
CIMM DEFINITION : The interaction and collaboration of two or more application components sometimes spurred by a user's input or action like the input of a PIN number. In the context of Set-Top Boxes, application interactions enable simultaneous data gathering and delivery of content (or other signals).
Application Launches and Terminations
CIMM DEFINITION : Applications are software that enables a user to interact with and utilize such things as content or datasets. It is different from an operating system software which is underlying and makes a system run. Set-Top Box applications include the Interactive Program Guide (abbr INTERACTIVE PROGRAM GUIDE) with which a viewer can interact and use.
2: With the advent of EBIF two new classes of applications are available. Bound applications are embedded within a video signal and are launched (triggered) and terminated automatically. Unbound applications are those applications explicitly launched by a viewer via either a button on the Remote Control, a selection from an on-screen menu, a selection of an on-screen icon, or tuning to a virtual channel. Interactive advertising enhancements are implemented as bound EBIF applications —e.g., FourthWall’s AdWidgets. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Application Messaging
CIMM DEFINITION : Enables the ability to send a data or voice message (often via instant messaging or IM) wirelessly to a range of devices whether wireless or not.
API abbr Application Programming Interface
CIMM DEFINITION : Protocols, coding, tools and other applications placed on an interface that enables software programs to interact with each other.
2: An application programming interface (API) is a set of declarations of the functions (or procedures) that an operating system, library or service provides to support requests made by computer programs.
Apps
See also: Info Banner, Widgets
CIMM DEFINITION : An software program that is typically interactive and typically links to an on-screen icon but can also run on the STB with no user interface.
2: Software applications, typically implemented in EBIF, that execute on a STB. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Artifacting
CIMM DEFINITION : A compression technique that can be applied to any content whether an image, audio or video, that in the process, creates degradation because some of the data is discarded. Can sometimes lead to over compression.
Aspect Ratio
CIMM DEFINITION : The width-to- height ratio of the picture frame. TV broadcasts at a 4:3 (1.33:1) aspect ratio; digital TV is broadcast with a 16:9 (1.78:1) ratio; and most feature films are shot in at least a 1.85:1 ratio. (Source: itvt.com/glossary) NOTE – HDTV also uses 16:9 aspect ratio. (Source: CableLabs)
As Run Logs
CIMM DEFINITION : The actual accurate record of programming and commercial schedules for each viewing network or entity. Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
2: Program and spot data representing the content that was actually aired rather than what was scheduled to air. (Source: TIVO)
As Seen Logs
See also: As Run Logs
CIMM DEFINITION : Another term for As Run Logs. Not individually identifiable. Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
2: “An accurate record of programming and commercials actually presented on at least one STB, as reported by EBIF applications embedded within (bound to) said programming and commercial content. Applies to both video content and any interactive enhancements.” (Source: FourthWall Media)
Asset
CIMM DEFINITION : Content or ads in any form.
2: In VOD, assets are physical content. Typically referring to the movie file for On-Demand. Could also refer to the poster art or Barker videos. In dynamic VOD, there is a need to differentiate between ad asset (i.e. creative) and content asset (i.e. programming).
ADI abbr Asset Distribution Interface
CIMM DEFINITION : A CableLabs standard defining the metadata schema, and propagation standard of On-Demand content. The most common standard in use is ADI 1.1. ADI 2.0 is published.
AMS abbr Asset Management System
(Same acronym for Audience Measurement Service)
CIMM DEFINITION : Manages database library of VOD Assets and associated metadata.
ADSL abbr Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line
See also: Digital Subscriber Line, High Speed DSL, Symmetric DSL, Very High-Speed DSL
CIMM DEFINITION : A type of DSL that provides T1 rates or higher in the downstream (towards the customer) direction and 64 KBPS or higher in the upstream direction. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
ASI abbr Asynchronous Serial Interface
CIMM DEFINITION : The signal that contains compressed content whether HD, SD or audio. It is the final product of digital compression. (Source: Wikipedia)
Audience Composition
CIMM DEFINITION : The audience breakdown of aggregated, segmented characteristics, often reported as a percentage, based on such elements as age, gender, income, education, household characteristics etc.,
2: The relation between average audience of a specific target and the average audience of the reference target (e.g. total households) with regard to the same daypart and channel. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
NOTE - Since current Set-Top Box data is delivered by different data providers and in different footprints, standard audience composition levels and even the overall audience may vary greatly across processors and providers. Issue of weighting.
AMS abbr Audience Measurement Service Data
See also: Data Logging Software (Same acronym for Audience Management System)
CIMM DEFINITION : AMS is an acronym for "Audience Measurement Service". All processors of Set-Top Box data offer an AMS interface for their data delivery. A type of data logging software.
AR Report abbr Audience Retention Report
CIMM DEFINITION : A TRA report. Builds on the data generated by TRA's AME report by analyzing the advertising creative embedded within the programming. and various aspects of its audience retention performance.
AR abbr Augmented Reality
See also: Augmented Virtuality, Advanced Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability to combine video content with interactive features on the same screen so that it is interactive, real-time and is registered in 3D. Mixing reality with virtuality on the same screen.
2: Augmented Reality is closer to the real environment while Augmented Virtuality is closer to the virtual environment. (Source: Wikipedia)
NOTE – This is currently available in smartphones as an app. For example, standing in a subway station and seeing the station but then there is a virtual overlay of nearby restaurants, galleries etc.
Augmented Virtuality
See also: Augmented Reality, Advanced Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : Like Augmented Reality, Augmented Virtuality combines real video content with interactive features to make it more virtual. AV is further along the reality / virtuality continuum in that it is more to the point of virtual than to the point of real.
Authentication
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability to verify that a certain subscriber has purchased specific content so they can access and view purchased networks, programming or user services.
2: The process of verifying the claimed identity of an entity to another entity.
Authenticity
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability to ensure that the given information is without modification or forgery and was in fact produced by the entity that claims to have given the information.
Automated Video Ad Customization
CIMM DEFINITION : The use of automated video customization to create different versions of the same commercial to different viewers with the purpose of tailoring the message for a particular geographic, and/or viewer or household segment to enhance viewer relevance and advertising effectiveness. (Source: Visible World)
Note: SAG-AFTRA has already used a similar definition for potential changes to their talent compensation model (for new contract in 2012). (Source: Visible World)
Average Audience Rating
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : The amount of viewing (expressed as a percent) on average, to a program, network, channel, ad, version or time period out of the universe or full population. Can be parsed to the lowest viewing increment whether second, 5 second, minute etc.
2: One of several different kinds of ratings used by Nielsen media research company. It reflects the average size of the audience on a minute-by-minute basis (average size at minute 1, minute 2, minute 3, and so on) throughout the length of a program. (Source: Answers.com)
NOTE - Weighting on averages: averages can be time-weighted or taken as a simple mean. (Source: TIVO)
Average Audience (in thousands)
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : The amount of viewing (expressed in thousands) on average, to a program, network, channel, ad, version or time period out of the universe or full population. Can be parsed to the lowest viewing increment whether second, 5 second, minute etc.
2: The average minute or second audience watching a channel, program or spot. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
NOTE - What is the accepted universe for certain viewer segments when Set-Top Box data is delivered by individual operators with specific regional footprints?
Average Clicks
See also: Interactive Household Addressable TV Advertising, Average Exposures, Average Responses
CIMM DEFINITION : In the context of Interactive Household Addressable TV Advertising, the average number of times that an audience segment or advertiser defined consumer segment interacts with any given campaign, TV ad or version of a commercial. (Source: Visible World)
Average Exposure
See also: Household Addressable TV Advertising, Average Clicks, Average Exposures
CIMM DEFINITION : During any given campaign time frame, the average number of times that an audience segment or advertiser-defined consumer segment is exposed to any given campaign, TV ad or version of a commercial. (Source: Visible World)
Average Frequency
See also: Reach & Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : The average number of times a viewer or household was exposed to a piece of content - whether program, network, ad or version - during a specific time frame.
2: Number of impressions received by the average household reached. The average number of times a household tuned to any part of any airing of any ad in the campaign. The average percentage of unique households watching ANY program in which ANY of the measured advertisements occurred. (Source: TRA)
NOTE - How much of a piece of content does the viewer need to consume before counting as an 'impression'? One second? ten seconds? etc., This issue should be flagged on every definition for Frequency, Reach, and Impressions. (Source: TIVO)
Average Frequency Clicks
CIMM DEFINITION : The average number of times a STB, viewer or household clicked on (interacted with) a specific interactive enhancement during a specific timeframe. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Average Frequency Exposures
CIMM DEFINITION : The average number of times a STB, viewer or household was presented with a specific interactive enhancement during a specific timeframe. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Average Frequency Responses
CIMM DEFINITION : The average number of times a STB, viewer or household responded positively to an offer made in a specific interactive enhancement during a specific timeframe. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Average Item Reach (%)
See also: Reach & Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : Total unduplicated reach of a single item (e.g. a channel program spot or version) for a specific time period based on the underlying data. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Average Item Reach (in thousands)
See also: Reach & Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : Total unduplicated reach of a single item (e.g. channel, program, spot or version) for a specified time period. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Average Loyalty (Daily)
CIMM DEFINITION : Average minutes viewed in a day divided by the total minutes available in the selected day(s). (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Average Monthly Reach (%)
See also: Reach & Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : The average monthly number of unduplicated homes or impressions reached expressed as a percentage of the measured universe. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
2: The average of the monthly number of unduplicated impressions expressed as a percentage of the measured universe based a tuning minimum of 6 minutes. (Source: Nielsen)
Average Monthly Reach (in thousands)
See also: Reach & Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : The average of the monthly number of unduplicated homes or impressions reached in thousands.
2: The average of the monthly number of unduplicated impressions based a tuning minimum of 6 minutes. (Source: Nielsen)
Average Program Audience
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : The average delivery (expressed in thousands) of Set-Top Boxes or households out of the sample, footprint, census or universe that is attributed to a video, program, time period or daypart.
2: The average number of units or households attributed to a program. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Average Response
See also: Average Exposures, Average Clicks, Interactive Household Addressable TV Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : In the context of interactive household addressable TV advertising, the average number of responses generated by an audience segment or advertiser defined consumer segment during any given campaign, or by being exposed to any given TV ad or version of a commercial. (Source: Visible World)
Average Second Commercial Rating
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : The number of homes, STBs or people tuned to a commercial during the average second, expressed as a percentage of all homes, STBs or people within the sample or coverage area. (Source: Nielsen)
Average Second Rating
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : The number of homes, STBs or people tuned to a network or program during the average second expressed as a percentage of all homes, STBs or people within the sample or coverage area. (Source: Nielsen)
AST abbr Average Second Tuning
CIMM DEFINITION : The average second rating as it pertains to STB or household tuning. (Source: Nielsen)
NOTE – Tuning vs. Viewing? Tuning is a more accurate definition as there may or may not be someone viewing the TV. (Source: Visible World)
ASV abbr Average Second Viewing
CIMM DEFINITION : The average second rating as it pertains to persons viewing. (Source: Nielsen)
Average Seconds/Minutes Viewed per spot – Universe
CIMM DEFINITION : The average daily seconds/minutes viewed among the universe that meet the user defined reach criteria. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Average Seconds/Minutes Viewed per spot - Viewers
CIMM DEFINITION : The average daily seconds/minutes viewed among viewers that meet the user defined reach criteria. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Average Session Length in minutes
CIMM DEFINITION : The total minutes viewed divided by the number of viewing sessions that met the user defined reach criteria. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Average Weekly Reach (%)
See also: Reach & Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : The average of the weekly number of unduplicated impressions expressed as a percentage of the measured universe. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Average Weekly Reach (in thousands)
See also: Reach & Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : The average of the weekly number of unduplicated impressions. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Back
See also: Trick Play
CIMM DEFINITION : Returns viewer to the previous screen. As distinguished from "Last" - primarily a Remote Control function - which returns the viewer to the last channel viewed. Usage of the term "Last" and its function varies across operators and platforms.
Back Channel
CIMM DEFINITION : A return path connection that can be used by a Set-Top Box to communicate with the cable headend; Can be used to communicate to cable headend or the service provider. It applies to asymmetric data connections and is the slower of the two data paths in the connection.
2 : “A communication channel that can be used by a Set-Top Box to communicate with the cable headend or other devices. Also known as Back Haul. A term used to describe the technology which provides the infrastructure for electronic traffic traveling from the subscriber to the platform company.” (Source: Nielsen)
3 : “Term commonly used to describe the action of sending data back to a host server over a phone wire or cable pipe.” (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
NOTE - Many other types of homes (with the exception of digital Set-Top Box homes) do not have backchannels. Satellite homes receive back signals from landline phone lines which vary from home to home.
NOTE– Available bandwidth on the return path is severely limited within the existing digital cable environment, and exceeding bandwidth limits be catastrophic —i.e., STB reboots, network downtime. Motorola systems are limited to a raw bitrate of 256 Kbps per node (i.e., 500 to 1500 STBs), much of which is consumed by the system itself, VOD session management, IPG interaction, interactive application processing, etc., Also, communication on this return path is limited to UDP, which does not guarantee delivery of information from STB to the back-end, and generates additional bandwidth usage by applications to confirm delivery and resend lost data. Cisco systems provide slightly more return path bandwidth and support TCP (i.e., guaranteed delivery of data), but typically reserve more return path bandwidth for system and resident application (e.g., SARA) use. Collecting STB measurement data with low Latency is a complex task, especially for census data. Load on the back channel is an issue in downloading STB data. (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE - From Mediapost TV Board article by Weisler, Feb09- A way to get data back to the operator. Cable systems have a back channel but satellite operators can only send data back via the phone lines. Since not all satellite Set-Top Boxes connect to phone lines, this must be taken into account when receiving Set-Top Box data from satellite homes. Kantar Media Audiences says there is no significant difference in the satellite homes with and without the back channel. Rentrak says boxes are connected in different ways – some need to back channel to get scheduling data, others connect via broadband. It all varies by operator. More examination may be in order.
Back Haul
See also: Back Channel
CIMM DEFINITION : Another term for Back Channel.
Bandwidth
CIMM DEFINITION : In computer networks, bandwidth is often used as a synonym for data transfer rate - the amount of data that can be carried from one point to another in a given time period (usually a second). Usually expressed in bits (of data) per second (bps). A link with a high bandwidth is one that may be able to carry enough information to sustain the succession of images in a video presentation. In electronic communication, bandwidth is the width of the range (or band) of frequencies that an electronic signal uses on a given transmission medium. Here bandwidth is expressed in terms of the difference between the highest-frequency signal component and the lowest-frequency signal component. Since the frequency of a signal is measured in hertz (the number of cycles of change per second), a given bandwidth is the difference in hertz between the highest frequency the signal uses and the lowest frequency it uses. (Source: SearchEnterpriseWAN.com)
NOTE - Bandwidth impacts Latency and therefore Dwell Time measurement. Restricting or price tiering of bandwidth size impacts measurement too.
NOTE - It should be remembered that a real communications path usually consists of a succession of links, each with its own bandwidth. If one of these is much slower than the rest, it is said to be a bandwidth bottleneck.
NOTE - Key constraint determining the amount and type of addressable, interactive applications, which can be run at any one time. (Source: Visible World)
NOTE – In the digital cable environment there are multiple data paths, each with distinct characteristics. Most obvious is the downstream video path, carrying large volumes of MPEG-2 video data from cable headends to STBs. Non-video data (e.g., EBIF applications) may be embedded within the MPEG-2 data stream at any point in the delivery of video from programmer to headend, and retrieved on the STB. This path provides the most downstream bandwidth, but requires the STB to tune to a specific channel to access it. A second downstream data path is the Out-of-band network, which provides less downstream IP network bandwidth than the video path, but does not require channel tuning, and is thus always available. The out-of-band network also provides a small amount of upstream IP bandwidth (see Back Channel, Return Path). (Source: FourthWall Media)
Bandwidth Optimization
See also: QAM, Switched Digital Video
CIMM DEFINITION : Managing the trade-off between the cost and the efficiency of delivering video. NOTE - Bandwidth is one of the primary cost concerns cable and telecommunications operators deal with when considering new consumer or advertising applications. Bandwidth optimization solutions have been developed to accommodate the growth in consumer applications including HD video and higher broadband speeds and advertiser applications such as household addressable TV advertising. (Source: Visible World)
Banners
CIMM DEFINITION : A type of advertising format for the internet (which is now being called display advertising) and addressable television offering the viewer an opportunity to clickthrough the banner to receive more information from the advertiser.
2 : Advertisements that link to an advertiser’s site. (Source: Nielsen)
3 : A type of EBIF interactive television application available from FourthWall Media’s AdWidgets System. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Barker
CIMM DEFINITION : A promotional loop video played within a window in the On-Demand User Interface.
Benchmark Ratings
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : A rating that serves as a measurement point to which other ratings are compared.
NOTE - While needed in the short term to help best aggregate different data streams, who is to set the standard?
Billboards
CIMM DEFINITION : In Set-Top Box parlance it is an interactive overlay that enables viewers to clickthrough and receive more information about a product or advertiser.
Blind Match
See also: Anonymization
CIMM DEFINITION : A form of viewer / consumer de-identification which prevents identifying data with specific homes or viewers.
2 : “Blind Matching also refers to the use of a 3rd party matching data while preserving anonymity by using a hash ID or an encrypted key.” (Source: TIVO).
Bookmark
CIMM DEFINITION : Saves programming, ads or other content to a list for later recall and viewing.
Bound Application
See also: Unbound Application
CIMM DEFINITION : Applications that require extensive memory use and are therefore regulated by the computer processor. Bottlenecks can be ascertained and speed time can be theoretically improved.
2: An EBIF application that’s transmitted to the Set-Top Box for execution along with the video programming. It is typically embedded as private data in the MPEG-2 video stream with signaling conforming to CableLabs’ EBIF standards. (Source: FourthWall Media)
3 : Applications (OCAP and MHP usually) which are associated with a particular TV channel (service). When the viewer changes channel, the application bound to the previous channel is terminated. (Source: Unisoft)
Boxee
See also: Social Media Center
CIMM DEFINITION : A type of Social Media Center. Boxee, still in the beta phase as of early 2010, is a cross platform freeware social media center that has HD capabilities, large screen (10-foot user interface) and interactivity / social networking features.
Boxes Using EBIF
CIMM DEFINITION : Set- Top Boxes that are EBIF enabled and can present Enhanced TV applications and interactive advertising. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : Percentage of Advanced or Legacy Set-Top Boxes executing an EBIF user agent software supporting interactivity. (Source: FourthWall Media)
BUT abbr Boxes Using Television
See also: Homes Using Television
CIMM DEFINITION : Percent of Set-Top Boxes turned on to a program, time period, daypart or area out of all the Set-Top Boxes in that universe. (Source: TIVO)
BUTT abbr Boxes Using Time Shifted TV
See also: Time Shifted HUT
CIMM DEFINITION : Percentage of Set-Top Boxes using television including any trick play viewing, specifically playback, whether based on time of taping or time or view. (Source: TIVO)
Box On / Set Off
See also: STB on / TV off
CIMM DEFINITION : Another term for Set-Top Box On / TV Off (SOSO).
BNU abbr Branded Navigational Unit
CIMM DEFINITION : This is a spot that appears during linear TV to promote ON-DEMAND/VOD content. (Source: IAB)
Brands
CIMM DEFINITION : A marketing term to indicate the product or service "essence", market position, competitive profile and/or personality in the mind of the consumer.
2 : Also used to refer to advertisers. (Source: TIVO)
Broadband
CIMM DEFINITION : A transmission medium that allows transmission of voice, data, and video simultaneously at rates of 1.544Mbps or higher. Broadband transmission media generally can carry multiple channels—each at a different frequency or specific time slot. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : Broadband is essentially a signaling method and a form of distribution. With the internet, broadband enables a faster connection and a "high data rate internet access" vs. dial-up connection.
3 : Broadband video is used to refer to systems such as cable television - Digital cable, Telcos and internet. Satellites are not broadband.
Broadcast
See also: Broadcast Network
CIMM DEFINITION : Network, as opposed to Cable, Broadcast is a legacy content distribution business that distributes via a collection of affiliated local stations as well as those television stations that are owned and operated by the Broadcast entity.
2 : A broadcast is a service that is delivered to all customers. Each customer may select a particular broadcast channel out of many. (Source: CableLabs)
Broadcast Flag
CIMM DEFINITION : Indicators on a stream of data that allows, prevents or places restrictions on the recording of the content. Such restrictions can include limits on number of copies made, inability to save or diminished quality of video should it be recorded. (Source: Wikipedia)
2 : A set of status bits sent in the data stream of a digital television program indicating whether or not the data stream can be recorded or if there are any restrictions on recorded content. (Source: Nielsen)
Broadcasting Day
CIMM DEFINITION : The official start time and end time of a complete 24 programming period. For Nielsen, Rentrak and TRA it is 6am to 6am and for Direct TV it is 3am to 3am so both cross standard day changes of 12 midnight and actually include time portions of two different days.
2 : Day the program or spot aired. (Source: TIVO)
3 : Nielsen Broadcasting Day is 6a – 6a
4 : Direct TV Broadcasting Day is 3a – 3a
5 : TIVO reports on all program activity between 5AM and 1AM (next day). Broadcast day starts at 5:00AM and ends at 4:59AM.
6 : Data received from TIVO is never cut off. Data received from cable are cut off once per day at 2am and uploaded onto TRA servers.
7 : FourthWall Media’s broadcast day is configurable, independent of the data collection period. (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE - Without standardization of terms, performance by day will vary across processor companies. Same issue for week start days - Sunday or Monday?
Broadcast Network
See also: Broadcast
CIMM DEFINITION : A broadcast network is an entity such as a corporation, that provides live or recorded video content, such as series, movies, newscasts, sports, and public affairs programs for transmission to a owned station group or affiliated local stations.
Broadcast TV Set-Top Box
See also: Set-Top Box, Thin Boxes
CIMM DEFINITION : Also known as a Thin Box. A Set-Top Box that only delivers data signals to the home and does not have the capability to receive data back from the home, (no backchannel or return path) although this box might have some interface ports, some memory and some processing power.
2 : Thin clients or boxes also refer to units that may have a return path but no tuner and utilize tuners from another STB. In multi-room solutions, broadcast STBs may use tuners or streams from other STBs. (Source: TIVO)
3 : A box with no backchannel (return path). Might come with interface ports, some memory and some processing power. (Source: itvdictionary.com)
BTSC abbr Broadcast Television Systems Committee
CIMM DEFINITION : The group that sets a range of television standards for transmission. Metrics created by this group are considered the US standard.
Buffer
CIMM DEFINITION : To guarantee continuous and fluid playback without any spurts, the data stream or video may be received a few seconds before it is viewable by the end-user. This smoothes out the fluctuations of the data stream for a better viewing experience.
2 : The buffer is used to store the stream as it comes in. It is placed in an area of memory and then the playout is performed from that memory as opposed to going directly to the output port. Buffers are used by Internet video providers to gather enough data ahead of time so that there is little jitter or delay in the signal. Buffers are also used for writing the video to a DVR for delayed playback within a single session. (Source: Invidi)
3 : Buffer is also used to refer to a cache of live television where viewers can rewind. For DVRs, this buffer or cache can be 30 minutes or adjustable. Viewers can view this content without having recorded it. (Source: TIVO)
NOTE - Buffer is an issue for measurement if it occurs as a "live event", that is as a non-DVR non-"recorded" playback where there may or may not be ad skipping.
Bugs
See also: Overlays
CIMM DEFINITION : Usually static, bugs are sight line, extraneous informational elements on a television screen that could also be interactive links to the internet.
2 : Also used to refer to technical issues, usually associated with software development. (Source: TIVO)
Bundling
CIMM DEFINITION : Joining a collection of services such as telephone and cable TV and internet together for the purpose of selling them as a single package and transmitting them over a single communications system.
NOTE - This may not be within a single communication system. Verizon bundles DirecTV in areas where there is not FiOS. (Source: Invidi)
Buy
See also: Order
CIMM DEFINITION : Reserved for future potential e-commerce use in On-Demand (e.g., purchase DVD or soundtrack to movie just viewed).
C3 Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : A term used to represent the average of a live rating for a (national) commercial minute and up to three days of DVR playback viewing.
2 : The average commercial minute rating for live programming plus three days of DVR playback. (Source: Nielsen)
3 : The average commercial second rating including live tuning to a program plus 75 hours of DVR playback. (Source: TRA)
CableCARD ™
CIMM DEFINITION : A removable security module which separates the cable operator's proprietary conditional access system from the host device. This separable security configuration provides secure access to encrypted digital cable programming and enables portability of retail host devices between cable networks throughout the nation. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : Removable security card for digital cable terminals, as defined by the OpenCable project. (Source: Unisoft)
Cable Converter
See also: Set-Top Box, Digital Television Adaptor
CIMM DEFINITION : An early term for a type of Set-Top Box. It is an electronic device attached to the television set that converts the feed into an analog signal that is then viewable on non-digital sets. Currently a Cable Converter box also unscrambles digital signals. Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
2 : Equipment in the homes of cable subscribers used to convert cable signals to normal TV channels. "Addressable" cable converters also allow cable operators to activate, disconnect or unscramble the signal received by a subscriber. (Source: Nielsen)
CableLabs - Cable Television Laboratories
CIMM DEFINITION : A non-profit research and development organization for cable operators in North and South America. CableLabs organizes member meetings and develops standards for all manner of cable equipment and software. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
Cable Network
See also: Cable Television, Broadcast Network, Broadcast
CIMM DEFINITION : The system network for the distribution of the television signal and now digital data and telephony services by cable (co-axial, twisted pair or fiber optic). (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
Cable Plant
CIMM DEFINITION : Term which refers to the central equipment and broadcasting headquarters of a cable operator. All initial broadcasts from the content providers are sent to the cable plant, aggregated, re-encoded, and broadcast to its Set-Top Box network. (Source: itvt.com/glossary) Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
Cable Ready Set
CIMM DEFINITION : A television set which includes an analog tuner which can plug directly into a video cable without an intervening Set-Top Box. Since there is no return path to the central office, channel changes made on a cable ready set are not visible to existing server log collection systems. (Source: Nielsen) Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
Cable Television
See also; Cable Network, Broadcast Network, Broadcast
CIMM DEFINITION : A television content provider that does not have affiliated local stations or owns and operates local television stations but who distributes video, internet and/or telephone signals to subscribers via a cable, through a phone line or via satellite.
2 : A non-broadcast facility which distributes signals of one or more television stations and non-broadcast services to subscribers via cable. (Source: Nielsen)
Cable Zone
See also: Zone
CIMM DEFINITION : Same definition as Zone but with only cable homes.
Cable Zone Addressable TV Advertising
See also: Community Addressable Messaging
CIMM DEFINITION : A form of Advanced and Addressable TV Advertising where a single ad placement can simultaneously feed different ads or versions of the same commercial to different segments based on attributes of the cable zone geography. (Source: Visible World)
Cache
CIMM DEFINITION : A form of data storage that improves a device's performance by storing the data in a form that is easily captured and deleted.
2 : A local copy of measurement data maintained for some period of time on cable Set-Top Boxes and other computers/servers in the data collection and processing chain to prevent data loss in the event of network and server outages. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Call To Action
CIMM DEFINITION : A tactic used by the advertiser or marketer to drive the user to take an action. This may be toward the purchase of their product or towards the intended goal of the ad campaign (i.e. clicking on a link to go to the advertiser’s micro-site) (Source: IAB)
Campaign Manager
CIMM DEFINITION : A software system responsible for supporting ad sales from inventory control through order processing and billing. The Campaign Manager produces, monitors and optimizes delivery schedules and verifies fulfillment through affidavits, billing, and analytic reports. The Campaign Manager provides a user interface for creating and interactively managing campaigns to provide feedback to the user via various reports and either implement a billing function or interface to a billing system. Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
Campaign Measurement
CIMM DEFINITION : For an advertiser, it is the ability to steward, monitor and quantify the results of an advertising buy.
Campaign Optimization
See also: Optimization, Media Optimization
CIMM DEFINITION : Campaign optimization involves the use of data and business rule driven systems that require the input of a media plan and related estimated audience data, definition and data associated with advertiser and campaign specific target consumer segments, along with minimum levels of desired message reach/frequency, or other campaign related constraints. The systems then considers all of this input to automate optimal message allocation across all media vehicles and/or addressable geographies (Source: Visible World)
Canonicalization
CIMM DEFINITION : Integration of clickstream data from differing sources - ingest and harmonize data into one internally consistent form. (Source: TRA)
2 : On the internet, canonicalization of a URL assures that however many URLs are available to get to the destination document, that document resides in only one final address.
Capping
See also: STB On / TV Off
CIMM DEFINITION : The agreed upon amount of time that the Set-Top Box is on before it is decided that no one is watching the television because the television set is turned off.
2 : Part of a process by which abnormally long viewing records are edited to fall in line with known viewing behavior. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
NOTE - What protocols should be used to decide on when there is SOSO?
NOTE - Current processors offer varying solutions. Nielsen matches streams to the people meter boxes. Kantar Media Audiences, TIVO and Rentrak use a series of algorithms. Another company will use an entirely different data source that is currently in development.
NOTE - The TV On/Off buttons in current digital cable Remote Controls generate signals that are filtered out by IR drivers in the STB, and are not accessible to application level software. Also, FourthWall Media generates custom behavioral models per Set-Top Box to estimate the probability of viewers actively paying attention to content. This probability estimate is provided in addition to the complete stream of measurement data to aid editing by subsequent data processors. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Capping Algorithm
See also: Capping
CIMM DEFINITION : A statistical function or formula (often proprietary) that calculates when a viewer has stopped viewing even though the Set-Top Box is still on.
Capping Level
See also: Capping, Capping Algorithm
CIMM DEFINITION : The agreed upon amount of time that the Set-Top Box is on without any click on a remote before it is decided that no one is watching the television because the television set is turned off.
2 : TV assumed off if channel remains unchanged for a long period of time. Length of time is set off by capping level. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
3 : The agreed upon time that measurement to a network or program is discontinued because the Set-Top Box is on but the television set is turned off. (Source: TIVO)
NOTE - Would vary by network and program. No standards are in place.
NOTE - Such levels may be set for different situations and household types for greater precision. Unnecessary when viewer turns off TV using TIVO remote in TIVO and TRA systems. TRA uses a Capping Algorithm to decide on a case by case basis how to determine the most appropriate capping rules. (Source: TRA)
NOTE - For the purpose of establishing a consistent baseline metric, it may be useful to use a predetermined time of inactivity with the STB as a parameter that is used to get a consistent metric across providers (e.g. No user initiated STB activity in the last XX minutes). (Source: Visible World)
NOTE - If remote clicks are used to show presence, then any click should be ok including volume changes, mute, info, etc., (Source: Invidi)
Catalogue
CIMM DEFINITION : A complete listing of all titles/programming available to viewers via a specific source, in this case available On-Demand.
Catcher
See also: Pitcher
CIMM DEFINITION : A hardware product that is used to receive On-Demand assets by an MSO and/or aggregator. The On-Demand assets are received from the pitcher.
Census Count of Collected STBs or Households
See also: Footprints
CIMM DEFINITION : Among boxes returning data, it is the complete number of Set-Top Boxes or homes in a Cable, Satellite, Telco or other set top data provider's footprint. As opposed to a sample or panel which is a subsection of a population and not the entire population. In some cases, a census is whatever amount of homes or Set-Top Boxes the data provider sends to the data processor.
2 : According to Rentrak, a Census is every Set-Top Box in the house and/or every house that has service in the footprint.
3 : A complete count of a population or universe. (Source: Nielsen)
4 : The total number of Set-Top Boxes or households collected in a given time frame, expressed by using the mean day's count.. The key phrase is "boxes returning data." Not all systems / Set-Top Boxes return data on a regular basis. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
5 : A complete count of every EBIF-capable Set-Top Box in the digital cable footprint or universe. (Source: FourthWall Media).
NOTE - Not always provided by the data processors, for various reasons. Definitions for Census vs. Footprint vs. Universe vs. Coverage Area vs. Population sometimes overlap.
Central Office
CIMM DEFINITION : A telephone company facility where subscribers lines are joined to switching equipment. Competing service providers often "co-locate" their equipment within the incumbent telephone company's facilities. (Source: Nielsen)
Channel
CIMM DEFINITION : A transmission path between two points. The term channel may refer to a one-way path or, when paths in the two directions of transmission are always associated, to a two-way path. It is usually the smallest subdivision of a transmission system by means of which a single type of communication service is provided, i.e. a voice channel, teletypewriter channel, or data channel. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : A frequency band assigned by the FCC for AM, FM or TV transmission. Each broadcast television station is permitted to operate on only one channel. Channels are assigned geographically to minimize interference between stations. (Source: Nielsen)
NOTE – Broadcast or Cable channel.
NOTE - A TV station may broadcast in both HD and SD. (Source: Invidi)
Channel Capacity
CIMM DEFINITION : The maximum number of channel spaces available on a specific television system, operator, satellite or Telco.
Channel Change Gap
See also: Latency
CIMM DEFINITION : During a channel change, the period of time between the display of one channel and the next. Depending upon the Set-Top Box either a black screen, grey screen, still image, flickering, or some combination may be displayed during this time, which may last from a small fraction of a second to many seconds. During this time, the viewer typically has no control of the Set-Top Box, and all inputs from the Remote Control are ignored, or queued for later execution. Appropriate editing rules must account for these gaps when providing second-by-second metrics. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Channel Changes
CIMM DEFINITION : The movement change from one network or channel to another via the use of a device such as a remote. Depending on the service or the Set-Top Box, there can be a lag time between channel changes (often called "Latency") which can last several seconds.
NOTE - Latency in channel changes creates a challenge for standardization of measurement.
Channel ID
CIMM DEFINITION : Unique service ID that identifies the channel. (Source: Nielsen) Definition currently under review by CableLabs. 2: Channel IDs can vary by market or even cable zone or head end. (Source: Visible World)
Channel Line-Up
CIMM DEFINITION : The list of channel or network or service offerings from an operator, by channel number. Can vary by neighborhood, region, operator, subscriber level etc. Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
2 : Listing of networks and channel numbers for a specific cable headend or satellite system. (Source: Nielsen)
NOTE - Varies by operator and by region and highly changeable, creating challenges for measurement across providers.
Channel Mapping or Channel Map
CIMM DEFINITION : Channel assignments by the operator that map to the networks and services offered. Sometimes shared between two or more networks and are often changeable and volatile.
2: A list of channel information that’s used by both the cable headend and the cable Set-Top Boxes for viewers to select channels to watch. Channel information in the channel map includes channel number, channel name (both the short and long descriptions), tuning information for the Set-Top Box , source information, and other headend related information. Multiple Channel Maps may be used for the same market; thus requiring care in making the proper identification of a specific channel from viewing data. (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE – In some cable plants, reporting of channel map changes to external data providers (e.g., Tribune) may lag days or weeks behind the actual implementation of the changes. (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE - Changes often and therefore impacts measurement editing rules. Nielsen diary editing rules for example have three elements - channel number, network call letters and program name. If first two match but program name is wrong, credit goes to the channel number and call letter station. But argument could be made that viewer knows the program they watched but may not recall channel and call letter.
Chaptering
CIMM DEFINITION : Allows user to see more specific views of On-Demand content
NOTE - studio content partners are exploring offering this functionality in the future, but for the short-term, VOD playback will more resemble VHS than DVD functionality.
Chipset
CIMM DEFINITION : A group of integrated circuits, or chips, that are designed to work together. They are usually marketed as a single product. In home computers, chipsets are used for some gaming consoles. (Source: Wikipedia)
Churn
CIMM DEFINITION : Subscriber ebb and flow - the overall loss and gain of subscribers to a service that results in a constant ebb and flow (erosion and gain) of the subscriber base.
NOTE – MSOs often recycle Set-Top Boxes from previous customers to new ones. Thus, at least one anonymization tier must have access to both unique Set-Top Box identifier (e.g., MAC Address) and subscriber information (e.g., address) to insure that measurements from a Set-Top Box are always associated with the correct subscriber/viewer. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Clickstream (Data)
See also: Keystream Data
CIMM DEFINITION : A record of usage activity, for example, a visitor clicking on the internet or a viewer watching through a Set-Top Box using a remote, that is used for advertising measurement in an anonymized form.
2 : “STB data representing button pushes via a remote.” (Source: Nielsen)
3 : “A combination of all viewer-generated activity measurement on a Set-Top Box, including keystream data (i.e., button pushes via a remote), interactive data (i.e., response measurement from interactive applications and ad enhancements), linear viewing data (i.e., channel changes), and explicit interest data (i.e., information provided by the viewer to an interactive application, such as stock symbols, favorite sports team, or yellow pages search terms).” (Source: FourthWall Media)
Click Throughs
CIMM DEFINITION : The act of clicking on an interactive link whether on a computer or through a digital television box to go to another site or location for additional content and which may result in clickstream data.
2 : “The process of clicking on an interactive trigger to access additional content, often expressed as a rate.” (Source: Nielsen)
3 : “On the web, a single mouse click on a banner ad serves to express interest in the ad, and to navigate to a subsequent page. But for interactive TV advertising, a click or button press on the Remote Control may serve either or both functions depending on context. Typically, several clicks serve to navigate through the sequence of ad overlays, with a final click signifying acceptance of an offer or opt-in. Thus, interactive TV (EBIF) advertising reporting (e.g., AdWidgets) distinguishes between clicks —signifying activity and navigation— and responses —signifying acceptance, or opt-in. In this context, a “response” more closely matches the meaning of a “click through” in the web context.” (Source: FourthWall Media)
CTR abbr Click Through Rate
See also: Click Throughs
CIMM DEFINITION : The number of users who clicked on the ad divided by the number of times the ad was served.
2 : The measurement of click throughs such as measuring the success of an online ad campaign.
NOTE - Click throughs are not a good measure for product interest and many if not most internet advertisers have moved away from them. (Source: Invidi)
Click-to-Buy
See also: Click-to-Call
CIMM DEFINITION : The act of purchasing during a click-to-call.
Click-to-Call
See also: Click-to-Buy
CIMM DEFINITION : An interactive feature in which the Remote Control device is used to interact with an on-screen ad to request additional information or make a purchase. (Source: Mercury Media)
2 : In the Interactive TV Advertising context (e.g., AdWidgets, Yellow Pages on TV), “click-to-call” defines a feature that allows a viewer to click an on-screen button with the Remote Control to initiate a telephone call (immediate or delayed) between themselves and the advertiser. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Client Based Targeting
See also: Network Based Targeting
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability, through the use of switched digital video (SDV) or EBIF or another program to feed different ad messages to individual households to improve targeting. (Source: BigBand Networks)
2 : The ability, through the use of AdWidget targeting to simultaneously feed different ad enhancements (e.g., EBIF overlays) to individual Set-Top Boxes and households. (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE - This is not limited to SDV. Addressable advertising provides this capability and can be performed without SDV. (Source: Invidi)
Clock Alignment
See also: Clock Drift, Clock Synchronization
CIMM DEFINITION : The readjusting of the Set-Top Box clock to make it accurate and remove any drift.
2 : The process used to adjust the start and end times of a tuning event to the "00" second. (Source: Nielsen)
Clock Drift
See also: Drift, Clock Slippage, Frequency Drift
CIMM DEFINITION : When the built-in clock within the Set-Top Box or other device slowly deviates from the actual time.
Clock Slippage
See also: Clock Drift, Drift, Frequency Drift
CIMM DEFINITION : A term used to describe the situation in which clocks of separate electronic devices run at slightly different speeds. Clock slippage is the difference an individual clock departs from true time. (Source: Nielsen)
Clock Synchronization
See also: Clock Alignment, Clock Drift
CIMM DEFINITION : The readjusting of the clock time when drift or slippage occurs.
2 : A mechanism to measure on the Set-Top Box the exact time delay between the broadcast of content by the headend and the display of that content on the Set-Top Box , and the adjustment of all reported event times accordingly. Thus, all Set-Top Boxes will report relative to content time reported in the as run logs, irrespective of any clock inaccuracies. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Clock Time (vs. Content Time)
See also: Content Time
CIMM DEFINITION : Where clock drift may occur, measuring the content by the clock rather than the exact time that the content aired.
2 : The clock or time stamping used on a STB. (Source: TIVO)
3 : The best available absolute time available from the internal clock in a Set-Top Box. Because of clock inaccuracies and varying stream delays between Set-Top Boxes, FourthWall Media performs clock synchronization to report all event timings relative to the content timing as reported in the as run logs. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Closed Captioning
CIMM DEFINITION : Technology embedded in broadcast / displays to provide scripted support of the program.
Clutter
CIMM DEFINITION : All non-program content that wraps programs such as commercials, PSA announcements, billboards, promos, any type of banner, overlays that take place within the context of the program etc. Anything not germane to the actual program that airs alongside or within that program.
2 : All extraneous non-program elements within a given program or time period. (Source: Nielsen)
Collection Engine
CIMM DEFINITION : A device and programming software that facilitates the aggregation of collected data, such as channels tuned by Set-Top Boxes in a geographic area.
NOTE – “In Charter this is an EBIF application known as the Event Stream Collector. Transmission of census data over the out-of-band return path is non-trivial, and the software in the Set-Top Box must cooperate with a collection server.” (Source: FourthWall Media)
Collection Server
CIMM DEFINITION : Repository of Set-Top Box data.
NOTE - Transmission of census level linear channel data, keystream, interactive data, and explicit viewer interest data with minimal Latency over the minimal bandwidth available in the digital cable out-of-band return path requires coordination (i.e., scheduling, compression/decompression, multi-tier fault tolerance, etc.) between collection engines on Set-Top Boxes and a one or more collection servers in the cable headend. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Commercial Avoidance
See also: Ad Skipping
CIMM DEFINITION : Use of trick play or channel switching to avoid viewing commercials. Trick play in this case can be fast forwarding, skipping ahead or muting. Also includes viewers leaving the room to avoid commercials. changing channels or engaging in other activities.
Commercial CPM
CIMM DEFINITION : The cost for an advertiser to run their ad per one thousand viewers or homes of a target consumer segment.
2 : Shows the cost per 1000 impressions for the commercials / advertisements. Based on the amount paid for the advertising campaign, this shows the amount paid per thousand impressions of the advertisement for total households or in that target group.
NOTE – Demographic CPMs through Set-Top Box data would have to be segmented or profiled.
Commercial Engagement
See also: Engagement, Commercial Retention
CIMM DEFINITION : The amount of attention and involvement a viewer gives to an advertisement. The greater the attention and involvement, the more likely that viewer will retain memories and will feel more predisposed to that product that is advertised.
2 : The ability of an interactively enhanced commercial to engage the viewer sufficiently for the viewer to interact with the commercial via the Remote Control. Measured in AdWidgets via the Remote Clicks metric. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Commercial Interactive Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : Percentage of STBs or households tuned to a specific commercial and presented with a specific interactive (EBIF) enhancement embedded within that commercial. Some commercials containing targeted EBIF enhancements (i.e., AdWidgets) may be broadcast to the entire EBIF-enabled footprint, but when executed only display an interactive enhancement to a select subset of viewer STBs. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Commercial Live Rating
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : A commercial rating viewed live in a linear fashion, that is, without any trick play.
2 : Percentage of STBs or STB Households tuned to a specific commercial without timeshifting. (Source: Nielsen)
NOTE - Can only measure Opportunity to See, as opposed to actual confirmed viewing. (Source: TIVO)
Commercial Pod
See also: Pod
CIMM DEFINITION : A collection of non-programming content whether commercials, billboards, PSAs, etc., that are inserted as a block of seconds or minutes, before during or after a program.
Commercial Ratings
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : Percent of homes or viewers who tuned into a commercial out of the specified universe of homes or viewers whether their sets were in use at the time or not. Commercial ratings can be average minute or, with second-by-second Set-Top Box data, on an average second rating level.
2 : Commercial rating defines the average second audience for the specified commercial/advertisement. Rating is calculated as the total tuned seconds divided by the total possible tuned seconds for the content and time period specified. (Source: TRA)
NOTE - How granular does the Set-Top Box data need to be - One second? Five second? More? And then what about Latency which can make accurate measurement at the one second level difficult.
CRI abbr Commercial Rating Index
CIMM DEFINITION : Index of the Household Average Second Rating of the Ad to the Average Second Rating of the Program. (Source: TRA)
Commercial Retention
See also: Retention
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability of a commercial to hold on to its tuned audience through the length of the commercial.
2 : The ability to recall the commercial after it is viewed for some amount of time after the fact.
NOTE – Kantar Media Audiences devised a seconds-based metric, Tuneaway, to capture the percent of seconds lost due to channel changing from the audience present the second prior to the commercial start time.
CTI abbr Commercial Tuning Index
See also: Commercial Viewership Index
CIMM DEFINITION : Referenced by Nielsen as ratio of commercial rating to program rating available at spot level.
CVI abbr Commercial Viewership Index
CIMM DEFINITION : Represents spot retention relative to underlying program. Average spot rating % divided by average program rating% (including commercial seconds) expressed as an index. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
2: Ratio of commercial rating to program rating (indicating audience retention) available at spot level. Indicating how often they fast forward through or tuned away from advertising. (Source: TIVO)
CAAS abbr Common Advanced Advertising System / Canoe Advanced Advertising System
CIMM DEFINITION : Originally conceived as a system designed to provide a centralized platform for the planning, execution, billing, and measurement reporting of advanced advertising services. A core tenant of a CAAS is to implement standard interfaces to communicate advertising campaign delivery instructions as well as common metrics gathering and reporting interfaces across different operating entities. Canoe Ventures has implemented a CAAS, named the ‘Canoe Advanced Advertising System / Canoe Advanced Advertising Platform,’ which is a national platform stewarding advanced advertising services across MSOs. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : A new advertising system utilizing the standards in SCTE-130, CableLabs’ EBIF, and Canoe’s Advanced Advertising to deliver advanced and interactive advertising products on cable operators linear television and On-Demand platforms. (Source: FourthWall Media)
CAM abbr Community Addressable Messaging
CIMM DEFINITION : Customized advertising and other content messages delivered to various geographies.
NOTE - “Based on our understanding of what Canoe Ventures intended, the CAM definition is Targeted TV advertising that is delivered to the individual cable zone level (as cable zones in population are on average roughly the size of a large neighborhood or suburb, hence, a community).” (Source: Visible World).
CLEC abbr Competitive Local Exchange Carrier
See also: Local Exchange Carrier
CIMM DEFINITION : Any telecommunications or cable company offering competing services against an already established, incumbent telecommunications service in a market area.
2 : Any telecommunications or cable company offering competing voice services within an incumbent telephone company's service area. (Source: Nielsen)
Component Video
See also: Separate Video (S Video), Composite Video
CIMM DEFINITION : An analog signal that is split into two or more components resulting in higher quality. (Most common is three separate analog components.) Component video is unlike Separate Video which carries two separate signals or a Composite Video which carries a lower quality single video signal. There is no audio in component video so it must be must be paired with audio cables.
Composite Video
See also: Separate Video (S Video), Component Video
CIMM DEFINITION : An analog picture only signal.
Conditional Access
CIMM DEFINITION : When a subscriber gets a code (usually upon subscription) which can be used in other platforms like Sling, for example.
2 : Conditional Access Technology embedded on the Set-Top Box and satellite receiver that enables the cable or satellite broadcaster to filter out content the subscriber has not paid for or provide them with movies or special programs they have purchased on a pay-per-use system. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
Connected Home
CIMM DEFINITION : A home with a digital connection for at least one set or computer. In a larger sense it is a household that avails itself of a range of digital services and signals.
2 : Also used to refer to a home with broadband Internet connection. (Source: TIVO)
Connected TV
CIMM DEFINITION : Broadband-enabled TV, via either a set-top- box or built-in technology. (Source: IAB)
CPG abbr Consumer Packaged Goods
CIMM DEFINITION : A marketing term to refer to specific classifications or categories of consumer products that are used every day.
Content
CIMM DEFINITION : A generic term for a range of video, audio, graphic or other programming formats that is distributed for viewer or consumer consumption via a range of platforms whether television, computer, radio, etc.
CDN abbr Content Delivery Networks
CIMM DEFINITION : An inter-relationed group of computers that function without a central server. This enables users to access data more efficiently and avoid bottlenecks. The data in a CDN can be anything from internet content, digital video, software, files, applications etc.
Content Descriptors
See also: Content Signifiers
CIMM DEFINITION : Same term used for Content Signifiers.
Content Display Ad
CIMM DEFINITION : Non-video ad unit that runs in conjunction with On-Demand content; may include ability to click to video ad.
Content Signifiers
See also: Content Descriptors
CIMM DEFINITION : Information included with ratings to advise parents regarding suitability of programming for children. Five Content Signifiers are used with TV ratings; ten Content Descriptors are used with MPAA ratings. Content Signifiers and Content Descriptors are distinguished from ratings in that the specific reason for the advisory is indicated, e.g. language, violence.
Content time
See also: Clock Time
CIMM DEFINITION : Where clock drift may occur, measuring the content by actual time that the content aired.
Contiguous Tuning
CIMM DEFINITION : Tuning events that continue uninterrupted over a period of time.
2 : A term used to describe tuning events which continue uninterrupted across a period of time. (Source: Nielsen)
Contribution of Channel / Daypart to Total Channel Viewing
CIMM DEFINITION : The percentage of total seconds of TV tuning to a specific channel within a sample accounted for by a specific daypart. (Source: TRA)
2 : The percentage of viewing to a specific channel in a given daypart relative to the viewing reached for a whole day by the same channel. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Contribution of Channel / Daypart to Total TV viewing
CIMM DEFINITION : The percentage of total seconds of TV tuning to all channels accounted for by a specific channel/daypart. (Source: TRA)
2 : The percentage of viewing to a specific channel in a given daypart relative to the viewing reached for a whole day by all channels. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Convenient Sample
CIMM DEFINITION : The sample that a provider decides to give a processor that may not replicate the footprint, be a census or a universe. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Conversion
CIMM DEFINITION : A desired action attributed to the advertisement. (Source: IAB)
Converter Box
See also: Digital Converter Box
CIMM DEFINITION : Device that is attached between the television set and the cable system that can increase the number of channels available on the TV, enabling it to accommodate the multiplicity of channels offered by cable TV. (Source: CableLabs)
UTC abbr Coordinated Universal Time
See also: Universal Time Code (with same abbreviation)
CIMM DEFINITION: An international time measurement system based on the atomic second but corrected periodically to keep in approximate sync with the earth's rotation. Previously referred to as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), UTC represents standard time at the prime meridian and does not include any daylight savings adjustment. (Source: Nielsen)
2 : Related term: GMT. Some STBs log events based on GMT. As a result, local time needs to be derived from zip code or time zone. (Source: TIVO)
Cost
CIMM DEFINITION : In the context of advertising, the amount paid for a spot or full advertising campaign.
2 : For the chosen report group criteria this value shows the amount paid for the advertisements in dollars. The total cost of the advertising campaign and the breakdown airing by airing. (Source: TRA)
CPM abbr Cost Per Thousand
CIMM DEFINITION : The cost of reaching 1000 households or viewers of a particular program, video or other media content.
2: Cost per thousand impressions against total homes or target group of the advertisement based on the amount paid for the advertisement airing or group of airings (e.g. network of daypart etc) or advertising campaign. (Source: TRA)
Coupons
See also: Samples
CIMM DEFINITION : Clickable overlays or enhancements that directly incite viewers during or after a video ad to request products, get more information, or receive a discount, for example.
Coverage
CIMM DEFINITION : A general term that refers to the number or percentage of possible viewing venues such as homes or Set-Top Boxes or viewers that an entity can possibly reach whether it is a processor, measurement, network, program or other type of content.
2 : The number or percentage of TV households that could receive a program. Coverage reflects the ability to view, not actual viewing. (Source: Nielsen)
Coverage Area
See also: Footprints
CIMM DEFINITION : The total number of homes or Set-Top Boxes that receive a signal and subscribe to services in a providers’ universe.
2 : Same as Footprint, according to Rentrak.
NOTE - Definitions for Census vs. Footprint vs. Universe vs. Coverage Area vs. Population sometimes overlap as do Reach and Deployment Reach.
Coverage Area Rating
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : The percentage of homes or Set-Top Boxes viewing content out of the subscriber base footprint of the homes, Set-Top Boxes or provider. Can vary depending on availability of channels due to tiering packages.
Coverage Universes
See also: Coverage
CIMM DEFINITION : The specific household, Set-Top Box or demographic population that can possibly be reached by a piece of content, time period, network, provider or measurement service. Expressed as a percentage or in thousands.
2 : A count of the number of subscribers who have access to a given channel. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
NOTE - Definitions for Census vs. Footprint vs. Universe vs. Coverage Area vs. Population sometimes overlap.
Creative Comparative Index
CIMM DEFINITION : Analysis of how well one creative is engaging audiences versus another based on tune-in within a target segment. (Source: Visible World)
Creative Versioning
See also: Versioning
CIMM DEFINITION : A form of addressable advertising that serves several different ad creative versions from a single advertiser for a specific spot time on a national basis rather than serving multiple advertisers' ad for that exact spot time.
Cross Platform
CIMM DEFINITION : In measurement it is the ability to garner user, consumer or viewer information from several different advertising or media platforms for a campaign.
2 : In computing is it a software, application or hardware that can work on various systems such as Macintosh and Windows.
3 : In marketing it is using several forms of media to advertise a brand or product.
4 : In gaming it is a game that can be used on several different gaming consoles.
5 : “Specific to media measurement, the term seems to address the ability to measure how unique viewers consume content across multiple viewing mediums, following the user, not the content.” (Source: Rentrak)
6 : “In a digital cable context, it may be software that can execute on disparate cable systems, particularly Motorola and Cisco. EBIF applications are cross-platform, in this sense.” (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE – Set-Top Box Data provides the potential for Cross Platform measurement within bundled homes.
Cue Tone (Spot)
CIMM DEFINITION : A signal from an operator that often indicates a program change that is used to prompt an action such as to load a certain commercial. Cue tones used locally to overlay a local commercial over a national spot via local ad insertions.
NOTE - Cue tones often work on MSOs proprietary systems for ad insertions. Standardization needed for measurement?
NOTE – It is being standardized by SCTE for digital content transmission. Some commercially available systems can “mark” and process content with these standardized cue tones. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Cume %
See also: Reach
CIMM DEFINITION : The unduplicated number (in thousands) of Set-Top Boxes or households or individuals exposed at least once to a channel, program or commercial in the specified time frame expressed as a percentage. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences and TRA)
2 : See Total Item Reach % below. Reach can be calculated for a spot, program, episode, network, genre, or brand. (Source: TIVO)
Cume (in thousands)
See also: Reach
CIMM DEFINITION : The total accumulated number of Set-Top Boxes, households or individuals exposed at least once to a channel program or spot in the specified time frame expressed as a percentage of the designated universe. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
2 : The number of unique projected In-Tab households who saw a given program, ad, half hour, etc., A household is counted as "having seen" if it was tuned to any second of the commercial (commercial cume / reach), or if it was tuned to at least six minutes of the program (program cume / reach). etc., (Source: TRA)
Cumulative Loyalty
CIMM DEFINITION : Average minutes viewed divided by the total duration of the daypart, program or spot. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Cumulative Reach (in thousands)
See also: Cume (in thousands).
CIMM DEFINITION : The total accumulated number of Set-Top Boxes or households exposed at least once to a channel, program or spot in the specified time frame. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Customer Additions
See also: Churn
CIMM DEFINITION : Among the ebb and flow of subscriber customers (also known as Churn), customer additions are the adding of customers to a service provider’s universe.
Customized Advertising
See also: Advanced Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability to efficiently and automatically customize video in real or near-real-time so that the ads can be made more relevant to each of the targeted segment(s) of viewers. (Source: Visible World)
NOTE - Just as on the Internet, efficient customization has become a critical component of dynamic web-pages, online video and TV ads can leverage efficient video customization to enhance message relevance. (Source: Visible World)
Custom Versioning
CIMM DEFINITION : A form of ad addressability where different messages for different segments of households or viewers are customized for segmentation purposes to increase viewer relevance and campaign ROI. For example, customizing featured offers based on the targeted segment.
Data About Data
See also: Ad-ID, Metadata, Program Code, Watermark
CIMM DEFINITION : In television, usually refers to program genre, source of origination, original versus repeat etc., (Source: Rentrak)
Data Cleaning
See also: Harmonize the Data, Normalize the Data, Scrubbing the Data
CIMM DEFINITION : It is the process of detecting, correcting and possibly deleting corrupt, incomplete, incorrect or inaccurate records from a dataset.
Data Collection
CIMM DEFINITION : The process and action of collecting data from the Set-Top Box. Varies by system. Some pull data on a second-by-second basis; others during an interval of time (such as quarter hour intervals) and others pull at activity points like channel change.
NOTE - “While switched digital video and people meters provide access to some data (e.g., channel change) continuously, or at frequent intervals, some data exists only in the Set-Top Box (e.g., keystream, interactive, explicit interest), and bandwidth limitations of the back channel (a.k.a. out-of-band return path) severely restrict when and how frequently this data may be pulled from STBs. Common practice is to schedule overnight transmission of such data, when viewership is low and available backchannel bandwidth increases. This is especially important for census data.” (Source: FourthWall Media)
Data Fusion
See also: Data Integration
CIMM DEFINITION : Combining data from two or more different sources where the data merges and becomes blended into a new data source.
2 : Enables the connection of respondent-level information from disparate data sets with a high level of precision. (Source: Nielsen)
NOTE - However, this is not the same as an actual match of data from different sources for the same exact household. In fusion, data from one household is attached to a different household. (Source: TRA)
Data Integration
CIMM DEFINITION : Combining data from two or more different sources while having the data maintain its individual database integrity.
2 : The addition of external data to a customer or prospect file to enhance the attributes known about individuals or households. (Source: Nielsen)
NOTE - This term sometimes is used with regard to fusion and sometimes with regard to exact household match. (Source: TRA)
Data Logging Software
CIMM DEFINITION : Varies by processor. The software that aids in securely receiving and delivering the data to a processor. Examples of data logging software include Audience Measurement System - AMS and Interactive Video Guard - IVG.
NOTE - May be impacted by stress on the unit. (Source: TIVO)
Data Management System
CIMM DEFINITION : Software application that allows the user to enter all metadata regarding each asset into a program. In VOD, these systems are typically used for multiple functions, record keeping, schedule and planner creation, approvals of metadata. It also can be referred to as a CMS - Content Management System or an AMS- Asset Management System depending on usage.
Data Matching
See also: Data Integration, Blind Matching
CIMM DEFINITION : Comparison of two or more datasets where each dataset maintains its individuality and uniqueness.
2 : “Data matching is most effective for measuring ROI, correlating specific household tuning exposure with household consumer purchasing behavior from within the same observed household. Household matching (i.e. shopper panels and STB tuning) is de facto the new single source and yields the highest level of accountability for much more reasonable costs. Using STB and other consumer databases afford sample sizes that allow for brand analysis which is impossible using traditional single-source panels.” (Source: Nielsen)
Data Normalization
See also: Data Integration
CIMM DEFINITION : Where there are two or more disparate data points within a data set, combining them in such as way that maintains data integrity and accuracy while improving usability.
2 : The process of synthesizing the unique attributes of data. Commonly used in database construction to minimize duplication and promote data integrity. (Source: Nielsen)
Data Outage
See also: Outage
CIMM DEFINITION : A natural or man made occurrence that can cause a gap or lapse in the signal or in data / video transmission. Often unexpected, can vary in time and length.
2 : A period of time in which no data was collected by a provider due to environmental conditions including fire, power outages or system failures. (Source: Nielsen)
NOTE - Set-Top Box data collection often consists of a chain of transmission steps, from collection engine on the STB to collection server to aggregation servers and ultimately to the processors of the data, with possible hops through load balancers and proxy servers along the way. At each step in the transmission chain, either the server/computer or the network may fail. To provide avoid any gaps or data outage, multi-tier fault tolerance mechanism must be deployed including sufficient data caching at every error-detecting link in the transmission chain. (Source: FourthWall Media)
DOCSIS abbr Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification
CIMM DEFINITION : Specification for transmission of data over a cable network that has been approved by the ITU as an international standard. DOCSIS was developed by CableLabs and a consortium of North American multi-system cable operators. (Source: CableLabs)
Data Packets
CIMM DEFINITION : A formatted basic unit of data or communication over a digital network (Source: About.com)
Data Port
CIMM DEFINITION : A physical interface on a Set-Top Box or a computer or another device through which information, data, content and other signals travel.
NOTE - Different data ports on different boxes.
Data Quality
CIMM DEFINITION : A general term regarding the overall efficacy and accuracy of a data set.
Data Stream
See also: Clickstream
CIMM DEFINITION : A sequence of digitally-encoded coherent signals (packets of data or data packets) used to transmit or receive information. (Source: Wikipedia)
2 : Stream of events logged on a STB. (Source: TIVO)
Data Type
CIMM DEFINITION : The various data that are delivered via the Set-Top Box or other sources like the television remote. Examples include: Linear, DVR, VOD, ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE, ITV, Remote Control.
2 : One type of viewer-generated activity measured on a Set-Top Box, including: keystream data (i.e., button pushes via a remote), interactive data (i.e., response measurement from interactive applications and ad enhancements), linear viewing data (i.e., channel changes), and explicit interest data (i.e., information provided by the viewer to an interactive application, such as stock symbols, favorite sports team, or yellow pages search terms). (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE - MSO, Satco, Telco, remote are all data sources that create data types.
NOTE – Other types of data are third party data sources that are used on segmentation. (Source: Invidi)
NOTE - No remote data is available, except on TIVO, but may be available through more advanced boxes and not through legacy boxes. (Source: FouthWall Media)
Data Warehousing
CIMM DEFINITION : Data storage in large scale facilities, such as a bonded third party data backup facility.
NOTE – “Both the EBIF collection engine and collection server of FourthWall Media’s Event Stream Collector, deployed in MSOs like Charter, cache up to 7 days worth of second-by-second measurement data (linear channels, keystream, explicit interests, and interactive) in the event of a network or server outage preventing transmission of the data to the data warehouse. This applies to all STBs, including legacy STBs.” (Source: FourthWall Media)
Daypart
CIMM DEFINITION : A method to divide the viewing day into logical sections based on viewer behavior and often by length of time and days to distinguish certain types or genres of content / programming and audiences from other times of day.
Daypart Index
CIMM DEFINITION : The share of viewing to a channel in a given daypart divided by the share of the same channel in the reference daypart. (Source: TNS)
Decoder
CIMM DEFINITION : A system, application or hardware that de-encrypts encrypted signals so it is viewable. Signals are encrypted to save space and / or to feed to certain subscribers. Modems often serve as decoders. Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
2 : Programming is usually encoded to save space and is compressed. The end user needs a decoder to uncompress the incoming data so it can be viewed on the television. (Source: itvdictionary.com)
3 : Term sometimes used for Set-Top Box. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
De-identify
See also: Anonymization
CIMM DEFINITION : A series of systems, processes and controls that remove personally identifiable data components from a data set thereby eliminating or reducing the likelihood that certain characteristics or attributes, whether by themselves or in combination with other information, can be mapped to specific identifiable individuals.
Delete From Saved List
CIMM DEFINITION : Deletes a video from viewer's saved list.
Delivery (in thousands)
CIMM DEFINITION : An audience metric indication of how many (often in thousands) viewers or homes viewed a program or network or other piece of content.
NOTE - Number of households exposed to a spot, program, or network. (Source: TIVO)
Delivery – Set-Top Box
CIMM DEFINITION : An audience metric indication how many (often in thousands) STBs tuned to a program or network or other piece of content on a specified basis e.g. average second. (Source: TRA)
NOTE – Same TIVO
NOTE for Delivery (in thousands).
Demodulation
See also: Decoder, Heavy Lifting
CIMM DEFINITION : The process of turning an analog signal into a digital signal. This is what occurs on the receiving end of a transported signal. Demodulation separates the constant carrier signal from the variable data signals. This is part of what a Modem does. Video and audio streams must be de-multiplexed before they are decoded (Source: itvdictionary.com) Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
2 : Part of the decoding process.
Demographic Modeling
See also: Demographic Weighting
CIMM DEFINITION : Process used to ascribe age, gender and market break characteristics based on tuning patterns from another source. (Source: Nielsen Media Research)
Demographic Weighting
See also: Demographic Modeling
CIMM DEFINITION : The process by which a demographic data set is modified so as to better replicate the characteristics of the actual demographic universe or population.
Demultiplexing
See also: Decoder
CIMM DEFINITION : Part of the decoding process where multiplexed signals are separated. Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
Deployment Reach
See also: Reach, Coverage Area
CIMM DEFINITION : The unduplicated number of homes with a provider’s Set-Top Boxes as these devices are rolled out throughout a market area, footprint or population.
DMA abbr Designated Market Area
CIMM DEFINITION : Trademarked term for Nielsen Media Research Designated Television Market Area. Used by Nielsen Media Research to identify TV stations that best reach an area and attract the most viewers. There are 210 Nielsen DMAs in the United States and 56 metered markets as of January 2010. (Source: IAB)
Digital
See also: Analog
CIMM DEFINITION : (1) In communications and computer technology, digital refers to a method of encoding information using a binary system made up of zeroes and ones. In communications technology this takes the form of two very different electrical voltages, several volts positive and negative, to represent the two values. This substantial difference in voltages for each state makes it unlikely that minor fluctuations in voltage due to electro-magnetic interference will change the way a signal is interpreted when received. (2) Information that is encoded into bits and bytes, or packets (0s and 1s, computer binary language). Generally perceived to be an advanced communication form offering clearer signals and increased transmission capacity. (Source: CableLabs)
DBS abbr Digital Broadcast Satellite (Same acronym for Direct Broadcast Satellite)
CIMM DEFINITION : TV programming or other content transmitted via high-powered satellite to a dish mounted outdoors whether on a residence or a business e.g. DIRECTV and Dish Network.
DTTV abbr Digital Cable
CIMM DEFINITION : A generic term for cable television signal that is transmitted via digital encoding over a cable network. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : Cable television that is digitally compressed so as to offer a greater selection of content, and on-screen programming guide, VOD, HD, sharper picture quality and other advanced technological options to the viewer. Delivery of signal is through coaxial cable wired into the building. (Source: PC Mag.com)
3 : Network comprised of fiber and/or coaxial cable and used to enable cable TV service and/or two-way high-speed Internet.
Digital Compression
CIMM DEFINITION : An engineering technique for converting a cable TV signal into a digital format which may then be processed in a manner that requires a smaller portion of spectrum for its transmission. This compressed format allows many channels to be carried in the bandwidth normally required for one signal. This format can also be easily stored and manipulated. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : An encoding process that saves storage space and enables more channels, networks and other content to be delivered to the Set-Top Box. An encoding / decoding process that minimizes data storage and transmission sizes in STB collection engines.
Digital Converter Box
See also: Converter Box, Digital-to-Analog Converter Box
CIMM DEFINITION : A device that receives a digital transmission and converts that signal to analog format so that it can then be received and viewed on an analog television set. Normally does not refer to satellite. (Source: Wikipedia) Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
2 : An electronic device that converts the digital television signal into an analog format, making it viewable on analog TV sets. (Source: Nielsen)
Digitally Enabled Platforms
CIMM DEFINITION : Various content options such as video, VOD and gaming that are digitally enabled for greater viewer enjoyment and possible interaction.
DPI abbr Digital Program Insertion
CIMM DEFINITION : The digital splicing of one Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) program (typically a commercial) into another based on digital 'cues' within the MPEG transport stream. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : Digital Program Insertion (DPI) allows cable headends and broadcast affiliates to insert locally-generated commercials and short programs into remotely distributed regional programs before they are delivered to home viewers. Digital Program Insertion also refers to a specific technology which allows an MPEG transport stream to be spliced into a currently flowing MPEG transport stream seamlessly and with little or no artifacts. The controlling signaling used to initiate an MPEG is referred to as an SCTE35 message. The communication API between MPEG splicers and Content Delivery Servers or Ad Insertion Servers is referred to as SCTE30 messages. (Source: Wikipedia)
Digital Remote
CIMM DEFINITION : Specific to the particular platform it supports. Almost all remotes support orthogonal navigation of Up / Down / Right / Left arrows with a center Select / Ok key. Most digital remote also have a number pad (for easy channel entry) and function keys to control Channel Up / Down, Mute, Volume Up / Down, etc., Also usually have function keys for FF, REW, Pause, etc., Different access keys can also be used, like in the SA platform there are color coded shapes that do different functions, the TV Guide / Motorola navigation doesn't use these.
DRM abbr Digital Rights Management
CIMM DEFINITION : A coding system applied to digital content that manages the usage rights of that content. In order to present the content, the rights specified must be honored by the presenting device. This requirement is usually enforced by attaching the digital rights management (DRM) to encrypted content and protecting the information required to decode the content with keys that can only be obtained by a device authenticated by the DRM. (Source: CableLabs)
Digital Satellite
See also: Digital Cable
CIMM DEFINITION : Offering similar advanced television features as digital cable TV. Unlike digital cable, delivery of signal is through a satellite dish.
Digital Set-Top Box
See also: Advanced Set-Top Box, All-In-One Set-Top Box, Enhanced Set-Top Box, Integrated Set-Top Box, Set-Top Box
CIMM DEFINITION : Taking advantage of digital compression, the Digital Set-Top Box offers a higher quality signal, many more viewing choices and networks, a two-way communication (back channel) with the operator or headend and often a range of other advanced capabilities (depending on the type of digital box) such as voting and polling, T-commerce, DVR and VOD, for example. Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
2 : A Set-Top Box capable of decoding digitally encoded video streams (e.g., MPEG-2), and also capable of downloading and executing software applications, including an INTERACTIVE PROGRAM GUIDE, VOD Client, DVR, Advanced Advertising, Data Collection Engine, and EBIF User Agent. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Digital Signal
See also: Digital Cable
CIMM DEFINITION : A signal that has a limited number of discrete states prior to transmission. This may be contrasted with an analog signal which varies in a continuous manner and may be said to have an infinite number of states. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : Information transmitted in discrete pulses rather than as continuous signals. Data is represented by a specific sequence of off-on electrical pulses. (Source: Nielsen)
DSL abbr Digital Subscriber Line
See also: Asymmetric DSL, High Speed DSL, Symmetric DSL, Very High-Speed DSL
CIMM DEFINITION : Modem telecommunications technology that enables broadband, digital data to be transmitted over ordinary telephone line. DSL comes in many flavors, known collectively as xDSL. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
DTA abbr Digital Television Adaptor
See also: Set-Top Box, Cable Converter
CIMM DEFINITION : A digital-to-analog converter box that converts an analog signal into a digital signal.
DTTV abbr Digital Terrestrial TV
See Also: Digital Cable
CIMM DEFINITION : Often considered the same as Digital Cable. An advancement in terrestrial analog television which has a land-based signal broadcast. Digital Terrestrial uses less spectrum and offers more capacity and a higher quality picture than analog. It uses aerial broadcasts to a conventional antenna instead of a cable connection or a satellite feed.
Digital-to-Analog Converter Box
See also: Digital Converter Box
CIMM DEFINITION : A device which accepts digital encoded television broadcasts and converts them to display on an analog television set. (Source: CableLabs)
DTV abbr Digital TV
See also: Digital Cable
CIMM DEFINITION : DTV is a more advanced television delivery system (than analog) that offers higher quality signals, high definition and enables the viewer to receive significantly more channel choices and user interface software such as a DVR and VOD. Unlike analog, digital signal are compressed, expanding the number of channels four or five fold and enabling internet connectivity.
DMU abbr Digital Universe
See also: Universe
CIMM DEFINITION : The total number of Digital Set-Top Box homes or boxes for a data provider, MSO, Satco, Telco.
DVB abbr Digital Video Broadcasting
CIMM DEFINITION : A standards-based software layer developed by members of the DVB that allow ITV producers to develop applications that will run on all DVB-compliant Set-Top Box es. Also, a digital television standards development body with its primary influence in Europe. Standards developed include digital broadcasting for cable, satellite, and digital terrestrial. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
DVR abbr Digital Video Recorder
See also: Personal Video Recorder
CIMM DEFINITION : It is a device that enables a viewer to record video that can be viewed at a later time and with trick play functionality. Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
2 : A device that allows a user to record programming to a hard drive to be watched at a later time available as a standalone device or through the Set-Top Box offered by a cable satellite or Telco service provider. (Source: Nielsen)
3 : A high capacity hard drive that is embedded in a Set-Top Box , which records video programming from a television set. These DVRs are operated by personal video recording software, which enables the viewer to pause, fast forward, and manage all sorts of other functions and special applications. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
4 : A device that records video in a digital format to a disk drive or other memory medium within a device. The term includes stand-alone Set-Top Box es, portable media players (PMP) and software for personal computers which enables video capture and playback to and from disk. (Source: IAB)
DVR Viewing Through A Standalone
See also: DVR
CIMM DEFINITION : DVR Standalones are self contained digital recorders that compress multiple facilities into a standalone single box. An example is a TIVO box.
2 : Standalone also refers to units that are not acquired through an operator and can be used with different signal sources. (Source: TIVO)
DVR Viewing Through Remote Server
See also: DVR, Digital Video Server
CIMM DEFINITION : DVRs located on a remote server which stores all recorded content remotely by the operator or service provider. These DVRs have all the functionality and flexibility of a DVR box or a DVR in a Set-Top Box without the in-home DVR hardware.
NOTE - Currently offered by MSO Cablevision.
DVR Viewing Through STB
See also: DVR
CIMM DEFINITION : DVR capability available through a Set-Top Box. Subscribers to the DVR service are able to record video that can be viewed at a later time either linearly or with trick play.
Digital Video Server
See also: DVR
CIMM DEFINITION : A robust dedicated computer at a central location that instantly broadcasts specific digital video streams to a television viewer upon receiving command requests through a Video On-Demand application. (Source: Nielsen)
2 : A robust, dedicated computer at a central location that receives command requests from the television viewer through a Video On-Demand application. Once it receives this request, it then instantly broadcasts specific digital video streams to that viewer. SeaChange and Concurrent are examples of companies that provide this kind of equipment and software services. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
NOTE - An ad inserter is a DVS and works with linear TV. (Source: Invidi)
Digital Watermarking
See also: Watermark
CIMM DEFINITION : The process of embedding information into a digital signal in a way that is difficult to remove. The signal may be audio, pictures or video, for example. If the signal is copied, then the information is also carried in the copy, so it prevents copyright infringement. A signal may carry several different watermarks at the same time.
DBS abbr Direct Broadcast Satellite
(Same acronym for Digital Broadcast Satellite)
CIMM DEFINITION : Satellites powerful enough (approximately 120 watts on the Ku-band) to transmit a signal directly to a medium or small receiving dish (antenna) at 18" and 3 feet in diameter. DBS does not require reception and distribution by an intermediate broadcasting facility and transmits directly to the end user. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
2 : Satellite broadcasts intended for home reception also referred to more broadly as direct-to-home signals. (Source: IAB)
Direct Tune
CIMM DEFINITION : Messages that can appear on an overlay, such as billboards, that are interactive and enable viewers to clickthrough and view a video that provides more information.
NOTE – Also known as Telescoping. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Display Overlay Impressions
CIMM DEFINITION : The number of iTV-enabled STBs or households displaying an iTV application such as a RFI (Request For Information) or a polling / trivia survey for a specified campaign or period of time. (Source: Canoe)
Display Overlay Retention
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability of an iTV display overlay to hold on to its tuned audience through the length of its time appearing on-screen and/or to a sequential second or third display overlay. For example, for polling and trivia, the portion of audience who answer the poll or trivia question and who also stay tuned for the poll or trivia responses. (Source: Canoe)
DD 5.1 abbr Dolby Digital 5.1
CIMM DEFINITION : A standard for compressed digital audio from Dolby Laboratories. Dolby Digital encodes 5.1 channels of digital audio (Left, Right, Center, Left Surround, Right Surround, and a Bass Channel). Dolby Digital is used in film, on DVD, in the Grand Alliance High Definition Television (GA-HDTV) standard, and some laser discs.
Double Blind Match
See also: Anonymization, De-Identify
CIMM DEFINITION : Blind matching is a form of viewer / consumer anonymization which prevents data from being identified with specific homes or viewers. Double blind matching insures that both the source and the destination of the datapoints are completely anonymous to each other.
Down Convert
CIMM DEFINITION : Refers to the conversion of a high-resolution broadcast to a lower, standard resolution broadcast that any TV can display.
Downlink
CIMM DEFINITION : The action of transmitting an analog or digital signal to a satellite dish receiver on earth via a transponder on a satellite. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
Downstream
CIMM DEFINITION : To send information from the network to the user. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
Drift
See also: Clock Drift, Clock Slippage, Frequency Drift
CIMM DEFINITION : When a tuner mistakenly tunes into another, therefore inaccurate frequency. There is also "clock drift" where the Set-Top Box (or computer) clock deviates off from actual time.
NOTE - How do we know when this occurs and then how to compensate in measurement?
Dual Tuners
See also: Multi Tuners
CIMM DEFINITION : A Set-Top Box that has two outputs so that two televisions are served by the same Set-Top Box.
2 : Refers to a STB or DVR that has two tuners allowing for recording of two programs simultaneously or viewing one program live while recording another. (Source: TIVO)
Duplicate Tuning Record
CIMM DEFINITION : A data condition in which a meter or reporting system provides an exact copy of a tuning record or event. (Source: Nielsen)
Duration
CIMM DEFINITION : The length of a particular event. In linear tuning statements, the duration is the contiguous time for which a particular channel was selected. (Source: Nielsen)
2 : The total duration of seconds in a spot. Tuning duration record provided by the operator. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
NOTE – Due to channel change Latency, channel change gaps, and the uncertainty of event reporting times in a STB, all of which may vary from STB to STB and channel to channel, accurate measurement of duration on a STB requires time synchronization, collection of STB timing data, and appropriate editing rules. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Duration In Seconds
See also: Duration
CIMM DEFINITION : The smallest increment of time that a Set-Top Box can provide for data. The collection of these seconds of data into portions of time indicate the duration.
2 : The total duration of seconds in a spot. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Dwell Filtration Standard
See also: Dwell Time
CIMM DEFINITION : An industry agreed upon standard (not yet in existence) minimum level of average seconds of tuning duration before a tuning event will be saved in STB memory and sent upstream for tabulation. (Source: TRA)
NOTE - There is a difference between a one second and a five, ten etc., second standard. How is surfing calculated below the sub five second level? How to agree upon the standard?
NOTE - TRA does not recommend any Dwell Time filtration when collecting tuning data.
Dwell Time
See also: Dwell Filtration Standard
CIMM DEFINITION : The amount of time a home or Set-Top Box spends on a channel - presumably viewing or interacting - with a piece of content such as a program, channel or network as indicated through the Set-Top Box.
2 : The period of time that a user spends viewing a channel, estimated from the time between channel changes. The amount of time of a contiguous tuning event. (Source: Nielsen)
3 : Dwell Time refers to the amount of time that the Set-Top Box must be tuned to a specific channel in order to report a viewing session. Set by Pay TV Operator. Once minimum Dwell Time had been reached, the viewing record is captured back to the initial second. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
4 : Dwell Time is set by the software in the STB, and is controlled by the operator, not by Rentrak. Often for reasons of network bandwidth, operators tend to set Dwell Times at 5 or 20 seconds. From a pure data perspective, it would be best to have short Dwell Times, but operators are necessarily concerned about network loading. Fortunately, the viewing that is excluded by a 5- or even 20-second Dwell Time is negligible in terms of total hours and average audience. (Source: Rentrak)
5 : TRA uses at least eleven seconds. TRA recommends zero Dwell Time Filtration. TRA data suppliers use zero in one case and at least eleven seconds in the other case and TRA algorithms make the data consistent by estimating what is going on during the filtered gaps. (Source: TRA)
6 : FourthWall Media collects all events, irrespective of Dwell Time, on all advanced and legacy Set-Top Boxes. Dwell Filtration Standards may be applied after the fact to the collected data, if needed. (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE - What is considered acceptable Dwell Time and what constitutes Latency?
NOTE - Nielsen uses the term “Dwell Times” to describe tuning event intervals. Dwell Times are impacted by “Latency”. Kantar Media Audiences says that Dwell Times are set by the Middleware. Kantar Media Audiences’ Middleware delivers in ten second increments (for Charter) and five seconds (for Direct) but delivers second-by-second data going back to the first second if there is viewing. Gaps of ten seconds are called surfing.
NOTE - No Dwell Time filtration for TIVO, every second is measured and counted.
DAU abbr Dynamic Ad Units
CIMM DEFINITION : A form of interactive advertising where ad units with advanced elements such as Gaming, Geo-Targeting, Voting, Polling or Sweepstakes etc.,, can be delivered immediately and selectively, depending on the target home or viewer. (Source: Mercury Media)
2 : Advertising content that is not static, often changing in appearance or position. (Source: Nielsen)
NOTE – EBIF-based Interactive Advertising typically generates response data that contains a unique identifier associated with each ad placement. Additionally, FourthWall Media’s AdWidgets return a code that identifies the specific Dynamic Ad Unit variation. (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE - Visible World’s technology does enable tracking of each specific ad version that is delivered, even for Dynamic Ad Units (that use our system) And DAUs can be customizable in realtime. (Source: Visible World)
Dynamic Advertising
See also: Advanced Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability to update which ad or version of a commercial is displayed in real-time or near-real-time basis using automated data feeds (e.g. changes in local TV ads based on local weather conditions or inventory data). (Source: Visible World).
Dynamic Editing
CIMM DEFINITION : Opposite of pre-defined, set parameters for data editing rules. Dynamic editing allows the system to compensate for unanticipated, changeable content conditions. It can remove or recalculate certain elements as part of the editing process. An example is the special dynamic capping edit undertaken for football overruns. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Dynamic Frequency Capping
See also: Capping, Frequency Capping
CIMM DEFINITION : A program that has the ability to dynamically, in real-time, monitor and cap the number of ad messages a viewer receives via addressable advertising. (Source: Visible World)
Dynamic Insertion
See also: Time Shifted Commercial Substitution
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability to insert different content, usually different ads, within other content, often in realtime. Used to insert more relevant or targeted advertising for a specific zone, neighborhood, zipcode, etc.
Dynamic VOD
CIMM DEFINITION : The addition of interactive content into Video On-Demand such as addressable advertising capability.
Effective CPM
See also: Targeted Effective CPM
CIMM DEFINITION : The cost per thousand impressions achieved against a traditional audience segment(s) broadly defined in terms of age and / or gender. (Source: Visible World)
Effective Frequency
See also: Reach & Frequency, Targeted Effective Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : The percentage of the audience segment that are exposed to a commercial. (Source: Visible World).
EDI abbr Electronic Data Interchange
CIMM DEFINITION : The electronic transmission of information such as data or video between two companies.
EPG abbr Electronic Programming Guide
See also: Interactive Programming Guide
CIMM DEFINITION : An electronic program guide is an application that displays television program information, including program name, start time, and duration. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : Same as an Interactive Programming Guide. Enables digital television viewers to search, filter and customize program listings and access content. (Source: mcobject.com)
3 : An on-screen guide of television programming and other On-Demand content and services which users may navigate and select by means of their Remote Control or similar device. (Source: Nielsen)
4 : Often refers to the scrolling non-interactive guide like the TV Guide Channel.
5 : An application that allows the viewer to interactively select their television programming. The development of applications enhancing the EPG such as dynamic video selection, recording options and more, is a high growth area. Currently, the EPG allows the viewer to also access summaries of shows, the ability to set recording times, show program length and names of crew members, as well as the ability to select content via categories. More advanced EPG (also called Interactive Programming Guides -IPGs) applications enable the viewer to select shows to record over several weeks every time a show or a selected movie star appears on the schedule Ultimately, EPGs will enable the TV set to learn the viewing habits of its user and suggest viewing schedules. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
Encoder
CIMM DEFINITION : An encoder is hardware or software that places special code onto content for the purposes of identification, standardization, speed, anonymization, measurement or security.
2: A hardware or software service that inserts a code or watermark into an audio or video signal. (Source: Nielsen)
Encryption
CIMM DEFINITION : A protection procedure where an algorithm is inserted into a process or dataset that will allow access to the content only to those who have the security key.
2 : “A form of encoding transmitted data for security purposes. It normally requires the decryption “key” to decipher the transmission upon receipt. The level of security is dependent on the complexity of the key used. A method used to translate plaintext into ciphertext.” (Source: CableLabs)
3 : “A process used to obfuscate information often used with MAC ID and / or system supplied keys.” (Source: Nielsen)
Engagement
CIMM DEFINITION : The amount of attention and involvement a viewer gives to content. The greater the attention and involvement, the more likely that viewer will retain memories and will feel more predisposed to that content, whether a program, commercial, product or a video.
Enhanced Content
CIMM DEFINITION : Universally used button (typically RED) that is both on-screen and on the remote to signal that there is interactive (value added) content associated with the program. Does not have to be branded to a specific provider. ITV content is mandated to use it, mostly seen in Europe on the BSkyB Platform.
NOTE - See http://www.broadbandbananas.com/vvenhanced.html for examples of this kind of "universal" button usage.
ETV abbr Enhanced TV
CIMM DEFINITION : A general term that refers to interactive services and applications provided in conjunction with video programming. ETV is used in particular in reference to Two-Screen Solutions TV + PC services. Generally users of these ETV services have their TV and computer in the same room, and navigate their web browser to a particular program-specific Web site that is synchronized to the live program by the broadcast TV network. Alternatively, some computers have TV tuner cards, or some TVs offer web browsers. Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
2 : A specification by CableLabs which allows deployment of interactive content on "thin-clients" such as the Motorola DCT 2000 (with over 15M platforms deployed) and Scientific Atlanta Explorer 2000 as well as OpenCable (OCAP) host devices. (Source: Unisoft)
EBIF abbr Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF Enabled STBs)
CIMM DEFINITION : A multimedia content format specification that supports the efficient interchange, distribution and decoding of an ETV application across the cable industry’s universe of both legacy and advanced set-top boxes that support the Tru2way® specification. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : Standard Set-Top Box software that enables advanced TV applications (including interactivity and addressability). Industry standard for all STB manufacturers.
3 : A CableLabs defined standard interactive application format for software and data. adopted by all the large MSOs and many smaller operators. EBIF applications and data are interpreted by EBIF User Agent software deployed by MSOs in STBs. EBIF is the emerging standard for the implementation of interactive advanced advertising, programming enhancements, and third-party software (e.g., TV Widgets). (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE - Hand in hand with the EBIF standard is the CableLabs Application Messaging (AM) standard, which defines how EBIF programs and data are packaged and transmitted to and from Set-Top Boxes, and how bound applications (e.g., interactive advertising enhancements embedded in a video spot) are “triggered” for execution. (Source: FourthWall Media)
EBIF User Agent
CIMM DEFINITION : The software platform/middleware deployed on both legacy and advanced Set-Top Boxes to execute applications written with conformance to the EBIF standard. (Source: FourthWall Media) Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
Enhanced TV Set-Top Boxes
See also: Advanced Set-Top Box, Digital Set-Top Box, All-In-One Set-Top Box, Integrated Set-Top Box, Set-Top Box
CIMM DEFINITION : Another name for an Advanced Set-Top Box. These boxes all have backchannel return path as well as online and VOD capabilities. Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
NOTE – Also known as Smart TV Set-Top Box, Thick Boxes.
Enhancement
CIMM DEFINITION : An interactive application that runs in synchronization with linear video. The interactive application is typically delivered as an EBIF application and executed by the EBIF User Agent on the Set-Top Box . Examples of Enhancements include overlay of RFI with a spot ad. A CableLabs standard. (Source: FourthWall Media)
DBMS abbr Enterprise Database Management system
CIMM DEFINITION : A group of computer programs that manage databases that are supervised by database administrators. The structure of the management system can impact usability, response time and flexibility.
EISS abbr ETV Integrated Signaling Stream
CIMM DEFINITION : A protocol used to transport ETV applications. The protocol integrates application signaling and media content timelines to allow for their synchronized delivery in a single MPEG stream. (Source: CableLabs)
ETV User Agent
CIMM DEFINITION : Client software that interprets and presents ETV applications. An ETV User Agent processes ETV EISS application signaling and consumes ETV EBIF content. ETV User agents are typically implemented as native applications on legacy cable set-top boxes and as Java applications on Tru2way® receivers. Wikipedia provides a definition of the general term 'User Agent'. (Source: CableLabs)
Event Based Logging
CIMM DEFINITION : The collection, tracking and storing of user activity events.
2 : Logging actions on TIVO based on events taken by the STB. (Source: TIVO)
3 : The events do not have to be viewer initiated. An ad insertion can be an event. (Source: Invidi)
Event Reporting Latency
See also: Latency
CIMM DEFINITION : The time offset between the actual occurrence of an event on a Set-Top Box (e.g., channel change, Remote Control key press, etc.,) and the reception of that event signal by the collection engine. For example, consider channel change Latency. Not only is this affected by Set-Top Box type, resident application type and version, and other factors, but the exact moment in that Latency period when the event is reported to the Collection Engine varies based on these same factors. One STB may have a three second channel change Latency, and the channel change event is signaled at the start of those three seconds. Another STB may have a two second channel change Latency, but the channel change is signaled at the end of the Latency period. Collection engines must measure and account for such discrepancies on a STB by STB basis (e.g., via Clock Sychronization). (Source: FourthWall Media)
Events
CIMM DEFINITION : Events are asynchronous communication between applications and the OpenCable system on which they are being executed. They provide communication between solution elements. An event may also refer to a unit of programming, such as a movie, an episode of a television show, a newscast or a sports game. (Source: CableLabs)
Explicit Interest Data
CIMM DEFINITION : Data provided voluntarily by viewers while interacting with (EBIF) applications running on the Set-Top Box. For example: product keywords entered into “Ebay on TV,” service keywords entered into “Yellow Pages on TV,” portfolio stock symbols entered into “Stock Tracker Widgets,” favorite NFL teams / players entered into “Fantasy Football Tracker.” (Source: FourthWall Media)
Extra
CIMM DEFINITION : Additional (typically free) material used to promote content (free, subscription or pay). E.g., alternate endings, "Behind the Scenes" footage, "The Making Of…" programming.
ETL abbr Extract Transform and Load
CIMM DEFINITION : The process of extracting data from various outside sources, transforming the data into more useable forms and then loading it onto a platform. Always done electronically - never manually - and often involving data aggregation and standardization.
False Negative
See also: False Positive
CIMM DEFINITION : In data analysis and processing, when an indicator erroneously reports an instance as normal but the actual results are not normal. When there is a problem with data but the analysis reports the data as free of error. Opposite of false positive.
False Positive
See also: False Negative
CIMM DEFINITION : A mistake in processing or interpretation of data where actual results are normal but the interpreted results are not normal. Within virus protection, for example, software that looks for "virus-like behavior" will register false problems - viruses where none exist. Opposite of false negative.
2 : False positives mean cases where TV set is off but STB is on. Specific to STB data. (Source: TRA)
FPA abbr False Positive Algorithm
See also: Capping
CIMM DEFINITION : Another term for Capping, False Positive Algorithm (FPA) is a more inclusive term which may include rules other than a simple capping. (Source: TRA)
Fast Forward
See also: Trick Play
CIMM DEFINITION : One trick play mode of the DVR or PVR or TIVO which speeds up the video, often through commercials as part of Commercial Avoidance.
2 : Allows viewer to go ahead to later portion of programming; image remains on screen throughout.
NOTE - If viewed in the fast forward mode is there any credit given to the network or program for commercial viewing? Some studies indicate that viewers still retain some amount of ad information while viewing in the fast forward mode.
Faulting
See also: Flagged Fault, Gaps, Non-Response Bias, Un-Flagged Fault
CIMM DEFINITION : Lapses and drops in data transmittal and receiving. In Set-Top Boxes, faults can include signal drops or any interrupted flow of signal to or from the box. Flagged faults are apparent in the data output. Un-Flagged faults must be ascertained through experience, algorithms or other methods. Faults from buffering can cause duplicative data records.
Favorites
CIMM DEFINITION : Saving preferred channels and or programs to a list for later recall and linear viewing or recording.
FCC abbr Federal Communications Commission
CIMM DEFINITION : Federal Communications Commission - Federal governmental agency responsible for the regulation of television in the United States.
15 Minute CVI
See also: Commercial Video Index
CIMM DEFINITION : Ratio of commercial rating to 15 minutes program rating (audience retention) available at spot level. Commercial rating / program rating for the fifteen minutes surrounding the spot. This normalizes CVI for any dramatic fluctuations in viewing throughout the program. (Source: TIVO)
Firmware
CIMM DEFINITION : Fixed, small programs that internally control low level devices such as a Remote Control or a digital Set-Top Box.
Flagged Fault
See also: Faulting, Gaps, Un-Flagged Fault
CIMM DEFINITION : Obvious, standard lapses or gaps in data transmission, output or receiving.
Flash Downloading
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability to automatically send software upgrades to a Set-Top Box network. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
Footprints
See also: Coverage Area, Census, Universe
CIMM DEFINITION : A term used to define a logistical area in a region covered by a cable, Telco or satellite operator, though not necessarily every home in that area is served directly by them. (Source: Nielsen)
2 : Often interchangeable with the terms Census or Universe, a footprint is the distribution area of an operator whether MSO, Telco or Satco.
3 : Same as the universe. The number of homes reached by the data provider whether local, national or subset like residential. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
4 : Where the operator has boxes (coverage area). Where the processor has access to the viewing or activity information. (Source: Rentrak)
5 : This term is also used to define the amount of space a particular piece of software or hardware takes up inside a Set-Top Box. (Source: Nielsen)
6 : A term used to describe the TIVO DVR base. (Source: TIVO)
7 : A term used to define a logistical area in a region covered by a cable or satellite operator, though not necessarily served directly by them. This term is also used to define the amount of space a particular piece of software or hardware takes up inside a Set-Top Box . (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
NOTE - Census vs. Footprint vs. Universe vs. Population vs. Coverage Area
NOTE - The issue of “Polling” vs. “Census” data where polling data is a subset of the full footprint. Data processors have no control over the amount of data they can receive from an operator. Therefore some data are census and some are a subset of the full footprint. Since sampling methodologies vary from operator to operator, the data must be used directionally until there is a census (or a consensus) for all data sets.
FOD abbr Free On-Demand
See also: VOD
CIMM DEFINITION : A Video On-Demand service that is free for the subscriber as part of their service subscription.
2 : Complimentary viewing of a selection of On-Demand ad supported and other programming
NOTE - This is solely an industry versus a consumer-facing term.
Frequency
See also: Reach & Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : The average number of times the unduplicated homes reached are exposed to a schedule of content whether an ad, a program, a video or a schedule of spots.
2 : The number of times a complete electromagnetic wave cycle occurs in a fixed unit of time, usually one second. The rate at which a current alternates, measured in Hertz on a telecommunications medium. (Source: CableLabs)
Frequency Capping
See also: Capping
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability to regulate and cap the number of ad messages a Set-Top Box, viewer or home receives for addressable advertising. (Source: Visible World)
Frequency Distribution
CIMM DEFINITION : Percent of households that received the number of impressions defined in that frequency level during the campaign. For example "Freq1..3" would include all households that saw between one and three advertisement airings for the campaign. Freq 1… - The number of households that received the number of impressions defined in that frequency level during the campaign. (Source: TRA)
Frequency Drift
See also: Clock Drift, Drift, Clock Slippage
CIMM DEFINITION : When a tuner mistakenly tunes into another, therefore inaccurate frequency. There is also "clock drift" where the Set-Top Box (or computer) clock deviates off from actual time.
Fully Addressable Ads
See also: Advanced Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : More targeted than a Zone ad, fully addressable ads offer advertisers personalized, almost one-to-one advertising opportunities - the ability to finely target viewer segments based on attributes including consumer preferences and propensities.
Gaps
See also: Faulting, Flagged Faults, Un-Flagged Faults
CIMM DEFINITION : Segment of time in which the state of a Set-Top Box is unknown and no data is being reported. (Source: Nielsen)
Gateways
CIMM DEFINITION : A network node that provides a connection or entry way to another network. An example is an ISP which connects the computer to the internet.
2 : Deployed routers (Source: Visible World)
Geo-Fencing
See also: Location-Based Mobile Ads, Addressable Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : An opt-in mobile feature where a user indicates interests. When they are in the geographic vicinity of something pertaining to those interests they are fed a text message about it. Currently fencing is capable within 1/2 mile radius of an urban store and one mile radius of suburban store. A form of mobile advertising.
Geographic Weighting
CIMM DEFINITION : The statistical readjustment of a sample - whether homes or Set-Top Boxes - to better replicate the actual universe footprint and improve projections from the data.
GUID abbr Globally Unique Identifier
CIMM DEFINITION : Persistent ID by device or household that is a unique 128 bit number. Windows based.
GUI abbr Graphic User Interface
See also: User Interface
CIMM DEFINITION : A more easily understandable type of user interface where icons can be used instead of text making access to various applications intuitive to the user.
Grazing
See also: Surfing
CIMM DEFINITION : The act of constantly flipping through TV channels, watching several shows at once, brought on by the ease of Remote Control units and the wider viewing selection offered by cable TV. (Source: Nielsen)
Gross Impressions
See also: Delivery
CIMM DEFINITION : The total duplicated whole number of homes, Set-Top Boxes or target audience delivered for a certain time period, daypart, program or any piece of content. Often expressed in thousands. Reach of Households in Thousands (in thousands) X The Average Frequency equals Gross Impressions.
2 : The aggregate number of households / Set-Top Boxes exposed to the schedule of spots. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Gross Interaction Rate
CIMM DEFINITION : The number of total interactions with an iTV application expressed as a percent of total households / STB universe exposed to a specific iTV campaign or period of time. (Source: Canoe)
Gross Rating Points
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : The total of all the ratings for all the shows or ads bought in an advertiser's contract reported as a gross number. Originally a television term, now it has adopted it for internet video as well leading to a cross platform measurement tool for advertisers who buy both television and online video. Reach X Average Frequency equals Total GRPs
2 : The sum of ratings achieved by a given spot or campaign utilized as a measure of advertising weight. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
3 : The sum of the rating points for the spots in a campaign. (Source: TRA)
Harmonize The Data
See also: Data Cleansing, Scrubbing the Data, Normalize the Data
CIMM DEFINITION : The process of taking disparate data sets for different constituencies and blending them so as to be able to exchange and share results to all constituencies from one database. To form a uniform language for future dialog.
Hashed ID
See also: Anonymization, De-Identify
CIMM DEFINITION : The result of anonymizing MAC addresses or other identifying information about the household or Set-Top Box. Results in a STB identifier per each data record that cannot be matched back to the original household, viewer or Set-Top Box.
NOTE - In some cases hashing is carried out daily which destroys ability to do Reach / Frequency / Frequency Distribution / ROI reporting because there is no persistent anonymous household identifier in those cases. (Source:TRA)
Headend
CIMM DEFINITION : The control center of a cable television system, where incoming signals are amplified, converted, processed and combined into a common cable along with any original cablecasting, for transmission to subscribers. The system usually includes antennas, preamplifiers, frequency converters, demodulators, modulators, processors and other related equipment. Or the central location on the cable network that is responsible for injecting broadcast video and other signals in the downstream direction. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : The closest distribution point where a cable operator transmits content to their subscribers.
3 : The electronic control center of a cable television system- generally located at the antenna site of CATV system. The headend takes incoming signals and amplifies, converts, processes, and combines them into a common coaxial or optical cable for transmission to cable subscribers. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
Headend Clock Discrepancies
See also: Clock Drift, Clock Slippage, Drift, Frequency Drift
CIMM DEFINITION : When the clock within the Headend slowly deviates from the actual time.
NOTE - Proper application of the Network Time Protocol (NTP) in Collection Servers, combined with Clock Sychronization information from the STBs can minimize STB and Headend Clock Discrepancies. (Source: FourthWall Media) This is the reason why FourthWall Media thinks content time is more appropriate for measurement than clock time.
Heartbeat Records
CIMM DEFINITION : Systematic recurring reporting event used by engineers to tell if a Set-Top Box is functioning. The absence of a heartbeat record indicates that there is a problem with the box. (Source: Nielsen)
NOTE - Would this type of signal quality measurement help measure STBs that do not have backchannel?
NOTE - Not all STBs use Heartbeat Records. (Source: TIVO)
Heavy Lifting
See also: Demodualization
CIMM DEFINITION : The process of turning an analog signal into a digital signal. This is what occurs on the receiving end of a transported signal. Heavy Lifting separates the constant carrier signal from the variable data signals. This is part of what a Modem does. Video and audio streams must be de-multiplexed before they are decoded (Source: itvdictionary.com)
HSP abbr Heavy Swing Purchasers
CIMM DEFINITION : Those consumers who have highly changeable purchasing patterns of behavior within a specific product category in which they buy heavily, indicating low brand loyalty in that category, and who have a propensity to sometimes switch brands, be motivated by advertising and marketing messages or other sales related messages or inducements.
2 : A term coined by TRA which is a combination of two consumer purchasing categorizations - heavy overall category purchase combined with occasional purchasers of the specific brand.
HDSL abbr High Speed Digital Subscriber Line
See also: Assymetric DSL, Digital Subscriber Line, Symmetric DSL, Very High-Speed DSL
CIMM DEFINITION : A type of DSL that Transmits 2 Mbps bi-directional signals over one or two twisted copper pairs. HDSL is used in applications such as corporate Internetworking, video conferencing, and remote data center access. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
NOTE – Often referred to as High Bit Rate Digital Subscriber Line.
HDMI abbr High Definition Multimedia Interface
CIMM DEFINITION : A specification that combines video and audio into a single digital interface for use with DVD players, digital television (DTV) players, Set-Top Box es, and other audiovisual devices. The basis for HDMI is High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) and the core technology of Digital Visual Interface (DVI). HDCP is an Intel specification used to protect digital content transmitted and received by DVI-compliant displays. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : The uncompressed audio and video digital connection standard that enables high definition.
HDTV abbr High Definition Television
CIMM DEFINITION : A television display technology that provides picture quality greater than that of traditional Standard Definition (SD) and digital sound similar to that of compact discs. (Source: Nielsen)
2 : There are at least 18 different formats, but the ones most commonly in use are 1080i and 720p. CEA has established an icon which is used on HD monitors. Consistent language is critical here as well as differentiating between true HD and other formats.
3 : HDMI also allows STBs the ability to begin logging when television sets are on or off. (Source: TIVO)
4 : A higher quality signal resolution using a digital format for the transmission and reception of TV signals. HDTV provides about five times more picture information (picture elements or pixels) than conventional television, creating clarity, wider aspect ratio, and digital quality sound. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
NOTE - HD vs. SD measurement
NOTE - There are three definitions for HD content: "Native HD" - refers to content filmed in HD, and does NOT apply to converted material; "True HD" -- refers to content that is shot and mastered in HD, but may also apply to some converted material; and "HD" which applies to any kind of HD programming, including all converted content.
Highly Targeted Networks
See also: Long Tail Channels
CIMM DEFINITION : A Rentrak term for Long Tail Channels which are smaller, often unmeasured-by-Nielsen networks. (Source: Rentrak)
Horizontal Projection
CIMM DEFINITION : Statistical restructuring of a dataset or sets into complete household estimates.
Host
CIMM DEFINITION : Any computer on a network that offers services or connectivity to other computers on the network. A host has an IP address associated with it. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
2 : Set-Top Box or receiver containing and executing the OpenCable Application Platform implementation. It is also host to the CableCARD device. (Source: IAB)
Hot Spot
CIMM DEFINITION : Area of an ad that is clickable or is able to be interacted with. (Source: IAB)
Household
CIMM DEFINITION : Defined as the subscriber and his / her co-habitants at a single physical address where video service is being delivered. (Source: IAB)
Household Addressable TV Advertising
See also: Addressable Advertising, Advanced Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : “A form of Advanced and Addressable Advertising where a single ad placement can simultaneously feed different ads or versions of the same commercial to different households based on the attributes of the household. To protect consumer privacy, no viewing or personal information should be used in Household Addressable TV Advertising. Using a blind-match process, a trusted third party facilitates a linkage between the operator subscriber, advertiser and third-party databases, while removing any personally identifiable information (PII), to create a campaign targeting database that is rich in data to identify and construct target segments of households, while ensuring consumer privacy protection. As such, data used for Household Addressable TV Advertising follows best practices associated with consumer privacy protection in direct marketing campaigns.” (Source: Visible World)
Household ID
See also: MAC Address
CIMM DEFINITION : A unique code assigned to a household by the platform provider. (Source: Nielsen)
Household Rating
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : The percentage of homes or Set-Top Boxes tuned into a program, daypart, time period for a certain length of time out of all homes or Set-Top Boxes in their respective universes whether in use at the time or not.
2 : The percentage of Households within a sample or population or a census that is watching a program, or during a time period or an ad or any piece of content out of the measured population or census. (Source: Nielsen)
Household Rating Index
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : The ratio between the Household Rating of the selected target group and the Household Rating for the entire population of households. (Source: TRA)
Household Rating for Target
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : The household rating for the selected target group (Source: TRA)
Household Rating for Total
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : The household rating for the entire population of households. (Source: TRA)
HUT abbr Household Using TV
CIMM DEFINITION : In any universe, footprint or census, the number or percentage of homes using television at a certain time on the basis of a specific metric type e.g. average second. (Source: TRA)
2 : A Nielsen term indicating how many television homes in the population, expressed in thousands or as a percentage, have their set turned on (in use) at a specific time or for a specific program.
Hub
See also: Headend
CIMM DEFINITION : Device used to connect segments of a network. A hub offers bandwidth on demand to shared resources vs. being fixed to all accessible ports. A signal distribution point for part of an overall system. Larger cable systems are often served by multiple hub sites, with each hub in turn linked to the main headend with a transportation link such as fiber optics, coaxial supertrunk, or microwave. A hardware device that interconnects computers on a Local Area Network and acts as a central distribution point for the communications lines. (Source: CableLabs)
HFC abbr Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial
CIMM DEFINITION : A local cable TV or telephone distribution network. An HFC consists of fiber optic trunks ending at neighborhood nodes, with coaxial cable feeders and drop lines downstream of the nodes. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
HTTP abbr Hypertext Transfer Protocol
CIMM DEFINITION : The standard for exchanging files (text, graphics, and multimedia) on the World Wide Web. Or HTTP is the transport layer for HTML documents over the Internet Protocol (IP). (Source: CableLabs)
2 : A server application that establishes a secure, encrypted connection to a server or web browser.
3 : HTTP is the protocol that client and server computers use to transmit information over a bi-directional connection without interfering with each other. Typically, every HTTP transaction consists of a “request” for a specific file, web page, or other content sent from the client to the server, followed by a matching “response” from server back to client containing the requested content. HTTP is also the mechanism for EBIF applications to communicate with servers. (Source: FourthWall Media)
iChannel Line-Ups
CIMM DEFINITION : An interactive service where the viewer can construct their own program line-up based on available videos / content or videos / content that they create.
2 : A Canadian website and station.
3 : A one-way publishing and communication application. It is like subscribing to a blog but not able to comment back. You just receive the subscription content.
Impressions
See also: Delivery
CIMM DEFINITION : The delivery level of a piece of content such as video or within a time period or a daypart or a home or a Set-Top Box or a group thereof. Often expressed in thousands.
2 : The number of hits a spot received over some specified period. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
3 : The total number of counts for the advertisement or specified group of advertisements or for the total campaign during a specified period of time. (Source: TRA)
4 : Instances of an online advertisement for the purposes of reporting and billing. (Source: IAB)
In(in thousands) [90s][90s]
See also: Reach
CIMM DEFINITION : A reach metric examining lead-in and lead-out viewing as source and destination. The number of Set-Top Boxes that were tuned to the program during the first ninety seconds of the program. A retention metric. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Inactivity on the STB remote
See also: Dwell Time, STB On TV Off, Capping
CIMM DEFINITION : The Set-Top Box records that the TV set is in use on a channel for a period of time and the subscriber has not touched any key on the Remote to indicate presence.
NOTE - Is there viewing, avoidance or is the set off while the Set-Top Box is still on?
In Band
See also: Out of Band
CIMM DEFINITION : Downstream video delivery only. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Increase in Sales
CIMM DEFINITION : The increased sales, in dollars, for the designated brand between the base and report periods among reached increasers. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
2 : For the chosen report group, the increased sales, in dollars, for the designated brand between the base and report periods. (Source: TRA)
Increasers as Percent
CIMM DEFINITION : The percent of households who increased spending on the designated brand between the base and report periods. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences and TRA)
ILEC abbr Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier
See also: Local Exchange Carrier
CIMM DEFINITION : A local telephone company in the United States that was in existence at the time of the break up of AT&T into the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) also known as the Baby Bells. (Source: Wikipedia)
Index
CIMM DEFINITION : The target group rating divided by the reference audience rating multiplied by 100. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Individualized Television
See also: Multi-Camera Angle, Mosaic
CIMM DEFINITION : This technology allows viewers to control camera angles during live events, select which commercials they want to watch, and generally control a selection of choices content producers provide as part of the broadcast. E-commerce and interaction with those commercials is possible. In the backend, servers collect choice information and offer viewers further selections based on those choices. This is enabled by the careful management of multiple video streams to one TV screen in which small windows capture video programming in one view. The viewer is able to switch to each window using their Remote Control one at a time. When they do so, the audio of that channel becomes active and, therefore, audible. Some applications enable other interactive graphics that overlay or sit within the frame of the screen that the viewer can also access. Companies pioneering this type of application are Sky Digital in the UK and DISH in the US. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
Info Banner
See also: Widgets, Apps
CIMM DEFINITION : A television screen overlay from the ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE in the Set-Top Box . It is normally invoked by viewer pressing a key on the remote or when changing channels, and it typically displays the information about the current programming the viewer is watching. There could be advertising elements such as Banner Ads embedded in the Info Banner. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Info Page
See also: ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE, INTERACTIVE PROGRAM GUIDE
CIMM DEFINITION : A feature available on many digital Set-Top Boxes (often accessed via the Remote Control) that displays additional details for selected content. (Source: Nielsen)
IR Drivers abbr Infra Red Drivers
CIMM DEFINITION : Software and hardware that enables a device to receive and transmit content whether data or digital, wirelessly.
ISMS abbr Information Security Management System
See also: Anonymization, De-identify
CIMM DEFINITION : A system designed to insure security controls to protect information datapoints.
Ingestion
CIMM DEFINITION : A storage system process that enables the creation of one database from several different data sources that can then be accessed through an electronic data delivery system.
2 : The process used to populate a database from various individual sources to be accessed by an electronic data delivery system. (Source: Nielsen)
3 : The process of receiving assets from the "catcher", successfully entering those assets into the systems' AMS, and making them available via a VOD system.
In-Navigation Video Ad
See also: Advanced Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : A video ad unit that is embedded in navigation interface or content.
Insertions
CIMM DEFINITION : An advertisement or other non-programming element that is added to content whether scheduled beforehand or dynamically inserted for addressable advertising.
2 : The number of times a spot aired during the time frame. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Interlaced Scanning
CIMM DEFINITION : The rectangular area of the TV screen is scanned by an electronic beam (raster) as it is deflected horizontally and vertically and creates an interlaced video display we see as the TV picture. Referred to as interlaced scanning because the raster skips every second line on the first pass and then fills in those lines on a second pass. The interlaced scanning system may result in a screen flicker. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
In-Tab
See also: Faulting
CIMM DEFINITION : Set-Top Boxes or homes that return usable viewer information or usage data and are considered as part of the sample for that time frame.
2 : Whatever boxes reported data that day. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
3 : Number of households or DVR units represented in the sample respectively counted at 5-minute intervals throughout the day. (Source: TIVO)
IRD abbr Integrated Receiver / Decoder
See also: All-In-One Set-Top Box, Advanced Set-Top Box, Set-Top Box
CIMM DEFINITION : An electronic device used to pick up a signal and convert the digital information transmitted in it. A consumer IRD is a Set-Top Box. A professional IRD is the interface between a receiving network (whether a satellite or Telco) and a broadcasting facility. (Source: Wikipedia)
Integrated Set-Top Box
See also: Set-Top Box
CIMM DEFINITION : The same as the All-In-One Set-Top Box
Interactive Advertising
See also: Advanced Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : Advertising that allows the viewer to interact with the message. Interaction is often via the internet but increasingly via the television screen.
2 : Also used to refer to advertising on a STB or DVR that is not the standard linear commercial spot and can include long form video, branded areas and interactive applications specific to an advertiser and use a number of entry points (from the home page, other UI dialogs, guide). (Source: TIVO)
3 : Video advertising that contains an embedded EBIF application. The EBIF application typically presents a series of overlay screens over the video, with which the viewer may interact, and then the specifics of the interaction (or lack of interaction) are measured and ultimately reported back to the advertiser. In the cable space it is EBIF once legacy is removed. DISH and Direct are different. (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE – Some interactive advertising is not actually “interactive”, but merely displays information or animation over top of the video ad and / or generates measurement data. For example FourthWall Media’s Measurement AdWidgets are invisible to the user, but track STB exposures and engagement. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Interactive Household Addressable TV Advertising
See also: Average Exposures, Average Clicks, Average Responses
CIMM DEFINITION : Household Addressable TV Advertising that enables viewer interactivity and facilitates various levels of response tracking. (Source: Visible World)
Interactive Measurement
See also: Advanced Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : Data collected from any interactive application, including interactive enhancements to video advertising.
NOTE - CableLabs has defined the Interactive Advertising Measurement (IAM) standard for describing user interactions with simple interactive ad enhancements. Similar measurement data can often be derived from Keystream data. Additionally, FourthWall Media’s AdWidgets collect several additional metrics, including STB Exposures, Clicks, and Responses. (Source: FourthWall Media)
IPG abbr Interactive Program Guides
See also: Electronic Program Guide, Navigator
CIMM DEFINITION : Also known as EPG (Electronic Program Guide) or ESG (Electronic Service Guide), the IPG is enhanced television that offers viewers an advanced on-screen display to locate content such as available networks / channels, VOD offerings, program listings, show descriptions, schedules, ratings, genre, channel and user preferences. Offers a range of viewer services, the ability to switch to desired content, view future program offerings and implement DVR options with current and future viewing choices.
2 : Associated with Digital Cable where a viewer can interact with the guide through the remote to choose their viewing through genre, channel, time, premium, etc.,
3 : A digital guide to scheduled broadcast television or radio programs, typically displayed on-screen with functions allowing a viewer to navigate, select, and discover content by time, title, channel, genre, etc., by use of their Remote Control, a keyboard, or other input devices such as a phone keypad. (Source: IAB)
iTV abbr Interactive Television
See also: Tru2way
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability of viewers to interact with television content immediately as they are viewing it. There are different degrees of interactivity from very basic (channel switching) to increasingly more sophisticated (On-Demand and Telescoping).
2 : Internet TV is a Television service that is provided through the Internet.
3 : In the digital cable space, iTV is the experience provided by EBIF and / or Tru2Way applications executing in the Set-Top Box. (Source: FourthWall Media)
4 : Interactive TV usually means the viewer using the Remote Control to "interact" with the TV to change the available video, audio and any graphics in some way. These changes are typically made by an interactive software application running in the Set-Top Box or TV. (Source: Unisoft)
IVG abbr Interactive Video Guard
See also: Data Logging Software
CIMM DEFINITION : A type of data logging software for content security.
IVOD abbr Interactive Video On-Demand
See also: Video On-Demand
CIMM DEFINITION : Same as Video On-Demand as seen through the television, usually delivered via the Set-Top Box and its network connection and servers containing programming. Has all trick play features.
Interactivity
See also: Interactive Television
CIMM DEFINITION : The capability for two-way electronic communication between a viewer, user, Set-Top Box, home etc., through a piece of on-screen content that is designed to increase engagement and attention.
2 : The capability for two-way user engagement with on-screen content typically using a Remote Control device. (Source: Nielsen)
Interconnect
CIMM DEFINITION : Two or more cable systems distributing a programming or commercial signal simultaneously. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : Several cable systems joined together in a specific area for the purpose of selling advertising. (Source: Nielsen)
IP Address abbr Internet Protocol Address
See also: MAC Address
CIMM DEFINITION : The identifying numbered code address of a Set-Top Box configured with a Modem for internet access.
2 : A protocol telling the network how data packets are addressed and routed. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
NOTE - The IP Address is not the MAC Address. It should be noted that the MAC Address is a unique identifier that is assigned by the manufacturer. This address is permanent. Each manufacturer is given a block of addresses that they can use. An IP address is assigned by the network provider either on a static basis or dynamically. This address is typically given to the point of access at the home –the router. The router than assigns IP addresses to the devices behind it. (Source: Invidi)
iPTV abbr Internet Protocol TV
See also: Internet Television
CIMM DEFINITION : Ability of either the television or the Set-Top Box to interface with the internet like a Modem offering two way communication such as through the internet.
2 : “A term used to describe the distribution of television content via the internet.” (Source: Nielsen)
3 : A system where a digital television service is delivered using Internet Protocol over a network infrastructure, which may include delivery by a broadband connection. A general definition of IPTV is television content that, instead of being delivered through traditional broadcast and cable formats, is received by the viewer through the technologies used for computer networks. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
4 : “An interface that examines guide activities including exposure to banner ads, engagement via click-through, switch to VOD, request for information, tune to channel, record programs etc.,” (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
5 : Also referred to as Over the Top viewing. (Source: TIVO)
6 : A video programming delivery infrastructure, built upon a high-speed IP data network, in which a single video channel is narrowcast to each home from the head end, and channel changes are sent to the head end to change channels. Most common among Telcos providing TV services, but commonly seen as the successor cable’s extant Hybrid Fiber-Coax (HFC) network. (Source: FourthWall Media)
7 : Generally, iPTV is a system that uses Internet Protocols to render audio and video. The finer details can change depending on who's using the term. Web users who refer to iPTV are usually talking about Web video. In that case, iPTV is a synonym for broadband, streaming, and wireless video. (Source: OMMA)
8 : Internet protocol content provided by network operators and others over closed networks. Can provide a single stream to multiple clients simultaneously (multicasting).
NOTE - Incredible potential to shift viewership from cable operator signal to viewing on the internet. (Although the cable operator will control both signals and can narrow the delivery pipe or charge more for some usage.)
Internet Television
See also: Internet Protocol Television
CIMM DEFINITION : Television provided, distributed and viewable over the internet - an open network - viewable On-Demand.
Interval Data Collection
CIMM DEFINITION : The frequency with which data is collected from the home. Data is often collected hourly or at fifteen minute intervals, depending on storage capabilities. Finer resolution or more frequent data collection requires systems that will not crash or bog down. May also be impacted by stress or activity on the meter or unit.
NOTE - Different operators have differing systems and can store varying amounts of data for varying amounts of time.
NOTE - Within the digital cable environment, the limited bandwidth of the out-of-band return path (a.k.a. backchannel) has the greatest impact on the interval of data collection. The technology exists to store up to 7 days of second-by-second measurement data on even the least capable legacy Set-Top Boxes, so neither storage nor resolution need be an issue. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Inventory List
CIMM DEFINITION : A list of the content available to a VOD viewer. This list will appear as choices in program guide.
Inventory Management
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability to define advertising avails by program, by category, by provider, and in some cases by demographic. And then to specify the number of ad breaks, the placement of those ad breaks and the number of spots allowed per break.
Invitation List
CIMM DEFINITION : A smallish still or animated graphic often overlaid directly onto video content. Typically used as a less-intrusive initial call-to-action. Normally when a viewer clicks or interacts with the invitation graphic, they expand into the ad’s full expression, which might be a simple auto-play video or an interactive experience. (Source: IAB)
In (Units)
CIMM DEFINITION : The number of individuals that fulfill the reach condition defined by the user in the program under study while fulfilling it in the previous program too. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
IP Capable
See also: IP Enabled
CIMM DEFINITION : IP enabled and capable mean the same thing, which is that that the receiver is capable of hooking up to broadband.
IP Connected
CIMM DEFINITION : IP connected is when the box can draw the data from that box on a daily basis and when the box is connected it can also draw from VOD assets via the internet instead of the satellite (in the case of Dish or other Satcos) as well as other types of internet content to the television. When a satellite receiver is connected to the internet, data can be exchanged such as VOD assets and viewer measurement
IP Enabled
See also: IP Capable
CIMM DEFINITION : Those services that use the Internet Protocol to connect users to media and products should the viewer / consumer choose to access them.
ISCI Code
See also: Ad Code
CIMM DEFINITION : A legacy ad code of eight digits. Sometimes this code includes category and product information. (Source: Visible World)
Java
CIMM DEFINITION : Java is an object-oriented programming language originally developed by Sun Microsystems. Java applications can typically run on any Java Virtual Machine (JVM) regardless of computer architecture and is specifically designed to let application developers "write once, run anywhere." (Source: IAB)
JavaTV
See also: Application Program Interface
CIMM DEFINITION : Sun invented this Application Programming Interface (API) called JavaTV, which enables the development of more complex functionality and interfaces to launch from the Set-Top Box if this Java layer is embedded in the device. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
JPC abbr Joint Policy Committee
CIMM DEFINITION : An industry committee formed with the ANA and the 4 A's.
Jump-ins
CIMM DEFINITION : Percentage of households that were not watching at the first second of the commercials but were watching at the last frame at the end. (Source: TRA)
Keyboard
CIMM DEFINITION : A keyboard is a wireless device that a viewer uses to interact with various screens on their television. Not many applications supply them just yet, but some depend on them for credit card entry, email, etc., The keyboard can be set up like a typewriter with the QWERTY format and may use control keys for jump functions. Where a wireless keyboard is not available, some applications have been including an on-screen keyboard which can either be in traditional ABCDEF listing or the QWERTY format.
Keystream Data
See also: Clickstream Data
CIMM DEFINITION : The collected measurement of all keys / buttons pressed on a TV Remote Control, along with precise timing for each keypress. This term has been coined to resolve the ambiguity of “clickstream” which has been used in various contexts to represent linear channel change data or key press data, or both. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Latency
CIMM DEFINITION : The lag time that occurs in the physical distribution plant and some STBs when the box changes channels or uploads so that tuning event timing relative to the same content can occur in one home at a slightly different time than in another home. Can be as much as several seconds.
2 : According to TIVO there are several types of Latency: 1. signal distribution Latency where there is a lag in transmission of the signal to the box, 2. channel change Latency which is the time between channel changes and 3. remote Latency when the remote is pressed and the action is logged. Stress loads on the Set-Top Box may impact length of Latency and logging. (Source: TIVO)
3 : The amount of time it takes for content to appear on the TV screen once distributed by the Set-Top Box. The lag time that occurs in some boxes when the box changes channels or uploads, or clock slippage. Can be as much as several seconds. (Source: Nielsen)
NOTE - How is this viewing ascribed, if at all? The standard here appears to be at 5 seconds but this could vary based on the operator and their platforms.
NOTE - Lag time as the box changes channels or uploads. From Weisler Mediapost article there is a comment from John Grono, GAP Research, Sydney Australia)
"I would also like to caution analysis of data at the second-by-second level. There is considerable 'drift' in STB clocks, and of more importance there are Latency delays in broadcasts across platforms. Here in Australia on fiber-optic cable that Latency is around 8 seconds (the mode). Eight seconds out in a 15-second ad is an eternity! I would recommend some sort of content matching rather than time-based matching if this is an ongoing objective."
NOTE – Channel change Latency can be affected by the Set-Top Box type, the middleware and resident application running on the Set-Top Box, the encoding of the channel being tuned to (e.g., HD, standard definition digital, analog, encrypted, non-encrypted), and the connection between Set-Top Box and TV (e.g., HDMI, RF, S-Video). Thus, Set-Top Box timing synchronization and editing rules for channel change gaps must be applied for each Set-Top Box individually.
NOTE – Second-by-second measurement is possible if the collection engine on the STB performs time synchronization and measures and collects Latency-related STB timing data, and collection servers apply appropriate editing rules. All times are then synchronized to the content times as they appear in the As Run Logs, regardless of the various distribution and STB latencies. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Lead-in Percentage
CIMM DEFINITION : The flow of audience (as a percentage) from one program (or video or other content) into another that follows sequentially.
2 : The percent of Set-Top Boxes that were tuned to the program during its first 90 seconds who were also tuned to at least 90 seconds of the previous program. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
NOTE – Different Latency and editing rules for each processor lead to vastly different results.
Lead-out Percentage
CIMM DEFINITION : The percent of inherited audience flow from the prior program or other content that followed sequentially.
2 : The definition can be read as the audience that is inherited by the following program as opposed to the audience that remains at the conclusion of a program and is passed on to the next. (Source: Invidi)
NOTE – Different Latency rules.
Legacy Boxes
CIMM DEFINITION : Older versions of Set-Top Boxes with traditional functionality. Not state of the art.
2: Majority of the Set-Top Boxes currently in the consumers’ homes in the US. In the cable space in general, any Set-Top Box that’s not Tru2way enabled is a Legacy Box. (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE - Has less or different back channel data to collect. Inability to collect all the data you can collect on the older boxes.
NOTE - The households that still have legacy boxes are different from those with state of the art new boxes. May need to weight data for box type.
NOTE - FourthWall Media’s Event Stream Collector stores up to seven days of second-by-second measurement data on even the least capable legacy Set-Top Boxes, so no special treatment is required for any two-way legacy STB. Data is normally uploaded to the collection server daily, and the seven day cache is provided merely for fault-tolerance. (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE - What is the definition of older and what is the traditional functionality? When does a box become a legacy box? (Source: Invidi)
Length-of-Tune
CIMM DEFINITION : The amount of time logged during a specific tuning event, often expressed as an average of all tuning event durations for a given network. (Source: Nielsen)
Letterbox
See also: Widescreen
CIMM DEFINITION : Letterbox is the term used when 16:9 content is viewed on a 4:3 screen. In order to display the widescreen content without distortion or missing parts of the picture, the television will place black bars at the top and bottom of the image.
Library
CIMM DEFINITION : Typically used to describe a listing of older titles / programming available to viewers On-Demand.
Linear Advertisement
See also: Linear Television
CIMM DEFINITION : Ads that are served and viewed in the program or video before during or after the program - whether real-time or playback but not served On-Demand.On the internet, these ads take up the full screen rather than running in a separate window.
Linear Channel Change Data
See also: Clickstream Data
CIMM DEFINITION : One type of measurement data collected from Set-Top Boxes describing channel change activity and timing. It is one of the data types sometimes referred to as Clickstream Data. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Linear Television
CIMM DEFINITION : Programming content streamed in real-time, as scheduled by the network.
2 : Standard broadcast television that is distributed as scheduled. (Source: Nielsen)
Linear Viewing
See also: Linear Television
CIMM DEFINITION : Viewing of programming or content in real-time, not delayed or played back.
NOTE - Is linear viewing the same as "live"? Opposite of On-Demand viewing.
Line-ups - Program and Channel
See also: Logs
CIMM DEFINITION : The detailed schedule of the network or channel indicating which programs are airing at what time and for how long and what channel space that network occupies. Sometimes includes details like Ad Occurrences. Containing Network Carriage, Program Line-Ups and Ad Occurrences.
Linkage
See also: Data Integration
CIMM DEFINITION : “Elements used to link disparate data for the purpose of integrating information i.e. TV tuning and purchasing behavior. Common linkages are MAC ID, name, address, ZIP code or segment.” (Source: Nielsen)
Linux
CIMM DEFINITION : Multi-user operating system used by many OCAP receiver manufacturers to execute their OCAP middleware implementations. (Source: IAB)
Live Capping
See also: Capping
CIMM DEFINITION : The agreed-upon time that measurement to a network or program is discontinued because the Set-Top Box is on but the television set is turned off during live viewing without any playback or other trick play included.
Live Viewing
See also: Trick Play
CIMM DEFINITION : Viewing levels without any trick play activity or viewership included.
2: Viewing at actual air time. Live viewing is defined as within five seconds of air time. This definition is used because, once outside of the five second window fast forwarding is possible. (Source: TIVO)
LEC abbr Local Exchange Carrier
CIMM DEFINITION : A telecommunications provider company divided into incumbent and competitive. Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier is the original carrier in a market or a footprint often once holding a monopoly on the service and subject to different regulations than CLECs. CLECs, competitive service providers, are newer providers that now compete with ILECs. (Source: Wikipedia)
Location Based Mobile Ads
See also: Geo-Fencing
CIMM DEFINITION : Sending people ads via their cell phone usually on a opt-in basis when the cell phone user is near a particular location.
Location Mapping
See also: Channel Mapping
CIMM DEFINITION : Location of Set-Top Boxes and other devices throughout the home by the operator that map to the networks and services offered.
Locked
CIMM DEFINITION : Content and/or channels that have been restricted from viewing via activating Parental Controls. Icon / identifier to designate that a video has been locked, or an action icon to initiate a lock for a video.
Logging Viewing
See also: Snapshot Viewing
CIMM DEFINITION : A form of viewership tracking that actively trends viewing and tuning behavior over a period of time.
Logs - Program and Channel
See also: Line-ups
CIMM DEFINITION : The delivery format of line-ups.
2 : Log(s) also used to refer to record of events from Set-Top Box. (Source: TIVO)
Long Tail Channel
CIMM DEFINITION : Long tail channels (or networks) are the smaller networks and content services offered via a content service provider. Often these networks are unmeasured by Nielsen but measurable by using Set-Top Box data and whose collective viewing may total close to a third of all viewing in a certain time period or daypart or market.
Lost Data
See also: Surfing
CIMM DEFINITION : Because of Latency, there may be some viewing or tuning data that is lost and not measurable during channel surfing and other viewer behaviors.
2 : May also be caused by other issues beyond Latency (corrupt or empty records, etc). (Source: TIVO)
Loyalty Index
CIMM DEFINITION : Total seconds viewed out of total seconds available. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
NOTE - Does this include multiple instances? Is there a second term or measurement for repeat viewing? (Source: Invidi)
Main
CIMM DEFINITION : A button on the Remote that returns to service provider's On-Demand "Main" menu page to restart from the beginning of On-Demand options.
Marketing Causals
CIMM DEFINITION : A form of ROI which examines the cause and effect of certain marketing messages on individuals’ purchasing behavior.
Master Headend
See also: Headend
CIMM DEFINITION : A headend that collects television program material from various sources by satellite, microwave, fiber, and other means, and distributes this material to Distribution Hubs in the same metropolitan or regional area. A master headend MAY also perform the functions of a distribution hub for customers in its own immediate area. (Source: CableLabs)
MTTR abbr Mean Time to Repair
CIMM DEFINITION : In cable television systems, the MTTR is the average elapsed time from the moment a loss of radio frequency (RF) channel operation is detected up to the moment the RF channel operation is fully restored. (Source: CableLabs)
Measured Ad Skipping
See also: Ad Skipping
CIMM DEFINITION : Ad skipping based on actual Set-Top Box tune-away data. (Source: Visible World)
MAC Address abbr Media Access Control Address
See also: Node
CIMM DEFINITION : The Set-Top Box ID a unique identifying code by the manufacturer for each specific Set-Top Box. MAC Address indicates, among other things, address of the household (and the accompanying profile information that the provider will have for billing and home configuration). Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
2 : Media Access Control ID. Number unique to a specific Set-Top Box. May include a readable bar code label. (Source: Nielsen)
3 : The ID that uniquely identified a network device, e.g. Set-Top Box or removable CableCard, (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE - A Set-Top Box may have several different MAC addresses depending on the number of network interfaces it has. For example, a Set-Top Box may have different MAC addresses, one for in-band and one for out-of-band tuner. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Media Center Set-Top Box
See also: Set-Top Box
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability to link up the Set-Top Box to the computer so content can be viewed on the computer instead of via the television set.
2 : Typically refers to devices such as the Media Center PC, Xbox 360 or PS3 that have the capability to provide linear TV services in conjunction with other forms of media entertainment such as music, video games, internet browsing, streaming videos (aka Netflix), etc. (Source: Rentrak)
3 : Media Center PC: a personal computer with a tuner and video card that allows the user to view Linear TV and often has a PVR to record programs as well. (Source: TIVO)
Media Optimization
See also: Optimization, Campaign Optimization
CIMM DEFINITION : Media optimization involves the use of models that require the input of media audience and cost data for all qualified measured media vehicles, and the input of the brand’s requirements in terms of budget, target audience, reach / frequency, and other factors. The models typically involve a complex set of equations which considers all of this input, and outputs one or more “best schedules” within the pre-determined budget and timing constraints. (Source: TRA)
Mb abbr Megabit
CIMM DEFINITION : 10^6 bits of information (usually used to express a data transfer rate; as in, 1 megabit / second = 1Mbps). (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
MEG Stream Data
CIMM DEFINITION : Data streams that are transferred at a high-speed and controlled by the clock in the system generating the data. Used to transfer HDTV application, for example. The exact rate can vary for different data streams of the same size.
2 : Cisco term for Mega Event Generator.
Metadata
See also: Ad-ID, Data About Data, Metadata, Program Code, Watermark
CIMM DEFINITION : Bits and packets of data that can be used for a variety of purposes including market positioning, advertiser commercial tracking, viewership etc., Data that assigns meaning to other data.
2 : The information used in describing VOD assets, including marketing and functional information.
3 : Data that’s typically used to describe the property of a piece of content such as broadcast programming, VOD, interactive applications, advertising enhancements. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Microsite
CIMM DEFINITION : A highly customized website (internet) or channel (television) destination.
2 : An overlay application, possibly implemented in EBIF, that provides multiple pages of text and graphics describing an advertised product or service. Clickable soft buttons for additional functions may also be provided (e.g., Click-To-Call, telescope to long form video advertising, Bookmark, request further information, etc.,). (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE – MicroSite is one of the types of AdWidget templates provided to advertisers in FourthWall Media’s AdWidgets System. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Middleware
CIMM DEFINITION : General term for software programming that serves to connect to or communicate between two or more software applications so they can exchange data.
2 : Software that resides on a Set-Top Box that enables viewer measurement and advanced advertising capabilities, including interactivity and addressability. Middleware software additionally enables Set-Top Box data to be sent back to the distributor platform or to third party research companies. (Source: Nielsen)
3 : In the digital cable context, it is a standard software platform on which MSO and 3rd party applications can execute identically, irrespective of STB or operating system software. The emerging standards are now EBIF for all STBs, and also Tru2Way on advanced STBs. (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE - Middleware sits between t he system software (OS or firmware) and the application. (Source: Invidi)
Middleware Layer
See also: Middleware
CIMM DEFINITION : Another name for Middleware since Middleware is a layer on the system applications that form the Set-Top Box.
Mid Roll Advertising
See also: Video On-Demand Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : Ad content that is inserted within a program as in the middle of the video, in On-Demand content.
2 : An advertisement that is played at point(s) defined after the beginning and before the end of the VOD content that a viewer requests.
Mobile TV
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability to view television content or other video on a mobile device.
MobiTV
CIMM DEFINITION : A service that lets you watch live TV on your mobile phone.
Modal Stitchaway Second
CIMM DEFINITION : The second during which the highest number / percentage of households switched away from a commercial, which can be used to identify creative weak spots or suspected creative weak spots. (Source: TRA)
Modeled Characteristics
CIMM DEFINITION : A household or person characteristic derived from a modeling process, typically to describe a behavior or demographic characteristic. (Source: Nielsen)
Modem
See also: Modulation, De-Modulation
CIMM DEFINITION : A data communications device. Modem is a combination of two words, modulate and demodulate. Strictly speaking, a Modem is a device that accepts a digital signal, then converts or modulates it into an analog signal that another Modem can convert back, or demodulate into digital form again. A Modem's speed and dependability are adversely affected by electro-magnetic interference, or static. (Source: CableLabs)
Modulation
See also: Decoder, Demodulation, QAM
CIMM DEFINITION : The process of turning a digital signal into an analog signal.
Mosaic TV
See also: Picture In Picture
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability to display several thumbnail views on a television screen all at the same time. Offers the ability to simultaneously view several channels at one time as a separate channel itself.
2 : A feature available on digital systems in which multiple channels are displayed in boxes on a single screen. Considered a separate channel. Audio is credited for measurement. (Source: Nielsen)
MOD abbr Movies On-Demand
See also: On-Demand
CIMM DEFINITION : Request viewing of a selection of movie programming with full pause, fast forward and rewind functionality for a per transaction charge.
Movie / TV Ratings
CIMM DEFINITION : Icon / identifier to designate the rating assigned to the programming along movie / TV standards.
MPEG abbr Moving Pictures Expert Group
CIMM DEFINITION : Set of standards created by the Moving Pictures Experts Group for the encoding and compression of signals, whether video or audio, for such content as movies and television.
2 : A voluntary body, which develops standards for digital, compressed moving pictures and associated audio. (Source: CableLabs)
3 : 1 1/4 broadcast quality which translates to 352 x 240 pixels. Typically compressed at 1.5 Mbs. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
MPEG-2
See also: MPEG
CIMM DEFINITION : Similar to MPEG-1, but includes extensions to cover a wider range of applications. MPEG-2 translates to 704 x 480 pixels at 30 frames per second in North America and 704 x 576 fps at 25 fps in Europe. Typically compressed at higher than 5 Mbs. The primary application targeted during the MPEG-2 definition process was the all-digital transmission of broadcast TV quality video. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
MSO Data
See also: Data Type
CIMM DEFINITION : The information that a cable operator maintains on its customer base.
2 : Frequently used to refer to electronic information such as tuning records of Set-Top Boxes.
Multi-Camera Angle
See also: Individualized Television, Mosaic, Multi-Screen
CIMM DEFINITION : This technology allows viewers to control camera angles during live events, select which commercials they want to watch, and generally control a selection of choices content producers provide as part of the broadcast. E-commerce and interaction with those commercials is possible. In the backend, servers collect choice information and offer viewers further selections based on those choices. This is enabled by the careful management of multiple video streams to one TV screen in which small windows capture video programming in one view. The viewer is able to switch to each window using their Remote Control one at a time. When they do so, the audio of that channel becomes active and, therefore, audible. Some applications enable other interactive graphics that overlay or sit within the frame of the screen that the viewer can also access. Companies pioneering this type of application are Sky Digital in the UK and DISH in the US. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
Multicasting
See also: Advanced Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : Multicasting refers to sending the same message or content to a group whereas "broadcasting" refers to sending the same message or content to everyone connected to a network, regardless of who wants to see or hear it. (Source: itvdictionary)
2 : Sending a message to multiple devices on the network by a host. (Source: CableLabs)
3 : A method for the efficient delivery of information to a group of destination simultaneously, often used for streaming media and internet television applications. (Source: Nielsen)
NOTE – The targeting mechanism provided by the AdWidgets System from FourthWall Media is an example of Multicasting, allowing interactive applications (i.e., AdWidgets) to be targeted to any subset of STBs in the footprint. (Source: FourthWall Media)
MVPD abbr Multichannel Video Programming Distributor
CIMM DEFINITION : A service provider delivering video programming services, usually for a subscription fee (pay TV). These operators include cable television (CATV) systems, direct-broadcast satellite (DBS) providers, and wireline video providers, including Verizon FiOS and competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) using IPTV. (Source: IAB)
MHP abbr Multimedia Home Platform
See also: Digital Video Broadcasting
CIMM DEFINITION : The Multimedia Home Platform consists of an MHP viewer terminal, including all possible low-to-high functionality implementations, its associated peripherals, and the in-home digital network. (Source: CableLabs)
Multichannel Inheritance
CIMM DEFINITION : Enables users to determine what channels / programs viewers are coming from or going to on a commercial by commercial or pod basis. It answers the question “when did they leave and where did they go?” (Source: TNS)
Multi-Channel Operator
See also: Multiple Systems Operator, Multiple Service Operator
CIMM DEFINITION : Video content and service providers usually referred to as MSOs, Satellite companies (Satcos) and Telephony companies (Telcos).
Multi-Platform
See also: Cross Platform
CIMM DEFINITION : In marketing it is using several forms of media to advertise a brand or product.
2 : In measurement it is the ability to garner user, consumer or viewer information from several different advertising or media platforms for a campaign.
NOTE - Also used to refer to different STB platforms or legacy and new platforms in field. (Source: TIVO)
MSP abbr Multiple Service Provider
See also: Multiple Systems Operator, Multi-Channel Operator
CIMM DEFINITION : A company that contracts with a subscriber to provide media services such as television, telephone and internet.
MSO abbr Multiple Systems Operator
See also: Multiple Service Provider, Multi-Channel Operator
CIMM DEFINITION : Companies that own and operate a number of individual cable systems in the US and Canada.
2 : A cable company that serves multiple cable systems. Commonly accepted as a definition of large cable companies. (Source: Nielsen)
Multiplexing
See also: Demultiplexing
CIMM DEFINITION : The process by which analog signals or digital data streams are combined into one signal over a shared delivery or end user interface.
2 : The simultaneous transmission through digital compression technology of multiple television programs on the same channel, in traditional cable terms, multiplexing refers to the use of two or more channels to present the same line-up at different times. (Source: Nielsen)
MR-DVR abbr Multi-Room DVR
CIMM DEFINITION : DVR service that allows viewers to watch recorded content in multiple rooms. (Source: Nielsen)
Multi-Screen
CIMM DEFINITION : Playing a role in the fragmentation of viewer attention, multi-screen refers to the range of viewing / interacting platform choices available to the viewer - usually TV, Web and Mobile. (Source: Mercury Media)
Multi-Set
CIMM DEFINITION : A home or other measurable venue with more than one television set. Some of these secondary and tertiary sets may or may not have a digital cable box.
Multi-Set Edit
CIMM DEFINITION : Editing rules or assignment rules for homes with more than one STB.
2 : Credit HUT once yet credit multiple simultaneous viewing sources in the home. In TRA procedure, each Set-Top Box is credited to a channel and to HUT second-by-second, as is each internally analyzed household with each household tuning second counted only once to HUT. (Source: TRA)
Multitasking
See also: Simultaneous Media Usage
CIMM DEFINITION : When viewers or consumers perform several tasks simultaneously such as texting on a mobile device, viewing a television program, or other non-media related tasks. Said to reduce attention, retention and engagement.
2 : The concurrent performance of several jobs on a computer or multiple tasks at the same time.
Multi-Tuner
See also: Dual Tuners
CIMM DEFINITION : Can be used to refer to a Set-Top Box that has two or more tuners or two or more outputs so that two or more televisions are served by the same Set-Top Box. Can hook up to four televisions on some dual tuner STBs.
2 : A Set-Top Box containing more than one television tuner enabling the user to simultaneously view and record content from different tuning sources. (Source: Nielsen)
3 : STB or DVR with more than one tuner that allows viewing and recording (potentially of multiple channels) at once. May also be used with thin client STBs that do not have a tuner. (Source: TIVO)
NOTE - Multi-Tuner does not require multiple outputs. It is typically available in DVRs allowing the subscriber to watch a show while recording another or to simultaneously record two shows. (Source: Invidi)
Mute
See also: Commercial Avoidance, Trick Play
CIMM DEFINITION : Can be done in live mode or one possible trick play mode where the sound is lowered to an inaudible level. Is considered part of Commercial Avoidance.
Narrowcasting
CIMM DEFINITION : Choosing and feeding out different content to different segments of viewers based on demographic, geographic or lifestyle profiles.
2 : A term also used to describe cable networks and their position in the marketplace vis a vis broadcast networks. Cable networks generally program and appeal to special interest sub-sets (and therefore narrow and niche segments) of the viewing population such as music or gardening or cooking, for example.
National and Local Projectability
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability on both a national and local level to estimate viewing and usage performance based on a sample.
NTSC abbr National Television Systems Committee
CIMM DEFINTION : Committee, that defined the analog, color television, broadcast standard used today in North America. The standard TV format for North American television transmission is named after this standards committee; the format is 525 lines in a 4-MHz video bandwidth. All TV sets sold in North America are compatible. (Source: CableLabs)
National Roll Up
CIMM DEFINITION : National roll up is the process of matching time zone and local schedules to produce reliable and accurate national program and spot measurement. Unscheduled delays, differences in markets are accounted for by using as-run data as well as auditing spot start times with our fast forward data (does viewership line up as expected with spots at higher fast forward periods). (Source: TIVO)
Native Application
CIMM DEFINITION : Typically an application which is written for the operating system of a receiver (Set-Top Box) rather than the middleware standard that may also be running on the receiver. ETV User Agents are implemented as native applications. (Source: Unisoft)
Native HD
See also: High Definition Television
CIMM DEFINITION : Refers to content filmed in HD, and does NOT apply to converted material.
Navigation Display Ad
CIMM DEFINITION : Non-video ad unit that is embedded in navigation interface or content; may include ability to click to video ad.
Navigator
See also: Electronic Programming Guide, Interactive Program Guide
CIMM DEFINITION : Similar to EPG or IPG, an navigator may offer some additional services and applications outside of the core TV guidance functionality including VOD services, virtual channel, customer care. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Near Live Viewing
See also: Trick Play
CIMM DEFINITION : One possible trick play mode where viewing is paused for a short period of time so the viewer can watch in replay mode as close as possible to the live airing, without viewing being live.
2 : Time-shifted viewing within one hour of air time. (Source: TIVO)
NOTE - Is a one second delay considered a "near live" viewing?
Network Based Targeting
See also: Client Based Targeting
CIMM DEFINITION : Feeding the same ad to a network of viewers as opposed to being able to target ads to specific households or Set-Top Boxes, which is Client Based Targeting. (Source: BigBand Networks)
NOTE - Network based targeting is already a method of TV ad targeting that is done by selecting which ad to run on a selected set of networks. Probably should include a definition for Day / Day-part Based Targeting which involves a method of TV ad targeting that is done by selecting which ad to run on selected days / dayparts. (Source: Visible World)
Network Configuration Data
See also: MAC Address
CIMM DEFINITION : Changeable datapoints that are provided by the network. Can include such identifiable user elements as IP Address, or MAC ID or Channel Map.
nDVR abbr Network DVR
CIMM DEFINITION : A digital recording device application that is located at the operator's location and not as a box in the subscriber's home. Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
2 : A DVR that resides on a network at a distributor’s plant. Users do not need any additional hardware in the home in order to use DVR features. (Source: Nielsen)
NTP abbr Network Time Protocol
See also: Coordinated Universal Time Code
CIMM DEFINITION : A protocol that uses algorithms to synchronize the time of a computer clock or other electronic devices with an internal clock with other devices within a network. Uses Coordinated Universal Time Code (UTC) to help in the synchronization of time often to a fraction of a millisecond.
New
CIMM DEFINITION : In Video On-Demand, New is the Icon / identifier to designate that programming has recently become available for viewing. Length of time for "new" is configurable by MSO to allow for content differences, e.g., episodic TV vs. movies, or other considerations.
New Buy GRP
CIMM DEFINITION : TRA metric in the context of a rebuy. Refers to gross ratings points in the improved buy based on TRA. (Source: TRA)
New Buy TRP
CIMM DEFINITION : TRA metric in the context of a rebuy. Refers to target rating points in the improved buy based on TRA. (Source: TRA)
New Reach
See also: Reach & Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : TRA metric in the context of a rebuy. Refers to the percentage of households that the ad schedule would reach in the new buy. (Source: TRA)
Node
See also: Zone, MAC Address
CIMM DEFINITION : Point in a cable television system that interconnects traditional coaxial cable and fiber-optics. The place where an optical signal is converted to a radio frequency (RF) signal, or vice versa. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : In Set-Top Box measurement it is the level of sample or census size of less than a certain number of television homes for Set-Top Box data measurement or reporting purposes. Granularity from Zone level to Node to a household level to a set level.
3 : In computing, a node is a unique processing location device that has a unique identifier such as MAC Address.
4 : “In a digital cable context, a node is the switching station that converts the fiber optic signal from the head end into the electrical signal transmitted over coaxial cable on the proverbial “last mile” of a Hybrid-Fiber-Coax (HFC) distribution network. Ideally, such a node services approximately 500 homes, but in practice nodes may service up to 1000 to 1500 homes. The return path bandwidth is shared by all homes in a node.” (Source: FourthWall Media)
Noise
CIMM DEFINITION : As applied to Set-Top Box data measurement, noise is the ancillary, unmeasurable points of data that create large margins of error in measurement. It is said to result from having too small a sample size. "Noise" diminishes as the dataset moves from a sample to a full all-inclusive census.
2 : The word “noise” is a carryover from audio practice. Refers to random spurts of electrical energy or interference. May produce a “salt-and-pepper” pattern over the picture. Heavy noise is sometimes called “snow.” (Source: CableLabs)
Non-Digital
CIMM DEFINITION : Not having digital capabilities such as a wide choice of viewing channel options, DVR and On-Demand. Similar to analog.
Non-Linear Ads
CIMM DEFINITION : Ads that run at the same time as the programming and allows viewers to choose between watching the ad or the program. Can include In-Program Ad placement or Banners and Skins.
2 : This usually refers to time shifted ad content either front loaded to a DVR, accessed via the internet, or long form VOD ad content (pre or post rolled) such as movie trailers or auto ads) etc., (Source: Rentrak)
3 : Ads that are not inserted in the linear TV programming, e.g. pre-roll ads in VOD. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Non-Linear Programming
See also: Non-Linear TV, Linear, Video On-Demand
CIMM DEFINITION : As opposed to Linear Television which is fed and viewed in real-time, Non-Linear Programming is advanced, interactive and is consumed at will by the viewer or consumer. Non-traditional ways of presenting television programming opposite of appointment-based television. Video On-Demand is one form of non-linear programming.
Non-Linear TV
See also: Non-Linear Programming
CIMM DEFINITION : Same definition as Non-Linear Programming.
Non-Response Bias
CIMM DEFINITION : The lack of or under-representation of a specific segment of the viewing audience or the sample which can lead to erroneous research conclusions about overall behavior because the omitted segment has different viewing behaviors or patterns than the rest of the population. This can be due to such things as equipment malfunction or failure or a lack of cooperation by the viewer / subscriber.
NOTE – Does not exist in STB data? Non-response bias can exist in STB data if the sample of STBs is not representative of the targeted audience. However, in as much as the STB data enabled households are representative of the targeted segment, it should overcome issues of non-response bias. (Source: Visible World)
Non-Responding Boxes
See also: Faulting
CIMM DEFINITION : Those Set-Top Boxes that, because of a (temporary) problem, do not report any data back to the data provider.
Non-STB TVs
CIMM DEFINITION : Those, often older, televisions that do not have a Set-Top Box attached to it. These televisions are often located in parts of the home like the children's room, kitchen, garage or attic where viewing is limited to analog signals or the television only is attached to a playback device. This sub-set of television sets are not counted in the Set-Top Box data because there is no return path data available from their viewing usage. Said to currently represent 10% of all US TV households and is continuing to diminish.
Non-Streaming Video
See also: Streaming Video
CIMM DEFINITION : Video that must be completely downloaded first before it can be viewed. Therefore the video is not delivered in real-time. The video may be delivered via a download link that requires a certain type of media player. Form of internet delivery via a computer.
NOTE - Video can be delivered via download to a STB or DVR. (Source: TIVO)
No Play
See also: Perfect Play
CIMM DEFINITION : A TRA metric - How many households tuned to the program before and after the ad but did not tune into the ad. (Source: TRA)
Normalize (the Data)
See also: Data Cleansing, Scrubbing the Data, Harmonize the Data
CIMM DEFINITION : The process of organizing data in various groupings so as to eliminate redundancy.
2 : In creating a database, normalization is the process of organizing it into tables in such a way that the results of using the database are always unambiguous and as intended. Normalization may have the effect of duplicating data within the database and often results in the creation of additional tables. (While normalization tends to increase the duplication of data, it does not introduce redundancy, which is unnecessary duplication.) Normalization is typically a refinement process after the initial exercise of identifying the data objects that should be in the database, identifying their relationships, and defining the tables required and the columns within each table. (Source: searchsqlserver.com)
Number of Insertions
CIMM DEFINITION : The number of airing instances of the advertising creative contained in the report group. (Source: TRA)
Number of Spots in Original Buy
CIMM DEFINITION : A TRA metric - The number of spots that aired in the original campaign. (Source: TRA)
Number of Spots in New Buy
CIMM DEFINITION : A TRA metric in the context of a new buy - The number of spots that would air in the new campaign. (Source: TRA)
Number of Telecasts
CIMM DEFINITION : The number of times a program aired during the measurement period of the report. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Number of Viewing Sessions Per Day
CIMM DEFINITION : Average number of viewing sessions per day among viewers. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Obstructed Views
CIMM DEFINITION : The Set-Top Box indicates a viewing session where the set is tuned to a channel but viewer cannot view any of the channel content because they have not subscribed to that channel. Tuning onto a channel that is displaying a slide saying that the network is subscription only.
On-Demand
See also: Video On-Demand
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability for a viewer to pro-actively choose and view a piece of video content at their convenience through special channels on their television. Content is served and viewed upon request.
2 : A selection of channels designated for requestable commercial content.
3 : An entertainment service that allows viewers instant access to content such as movies, cable series, original programs, educational programming, premium channels, news, sports and more. Programming from the content provider is delivered by the consumer’s cable operator. The On-Demand content can be free, subscription based, or paid for on a transactional basis. Consumers control what they watch and when, with features such as play, pause, fast-forward, rewind, stop and resume. Preferred to “Video On-Demand.”
4 : Unbound EBIF applications are sometime called On-Demand Applications. (Source: FourthWall Media)
OCAP abbr Open Cable Application Platform
See also: Tru2Way
CIMM DEFINITION : A standards-based software technology platform that enables two-way interactive services on the television and other devices within a cable system. This platform enables consumer electronics, programming, and cable companies to deliver interactive services, programming, and advertising on retail and cable devices. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : An operating system layer designed for consumer electronics (like a Set-Top Box) that connect to a cable television system where the cable company can control what programs run on the viewers device. (Source: Wikipedia)
3 : The old name for tru2way. (Source: FourthWall Media)
OS abbr Operating System
CIMM DEFINITION : The software that manages hardware and resources on a computer. Applications use the operating system to make requests for services and interact with the computer's devices. Or the software that controls the underlying hardware, performs the most basic functions for managing the resources of the hardware, and provides services to other software such as applications. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : The most important program on a computer. Once loaded, it performs basic tasks and manages all other programs and resources in a computer.
Opt-In
CIMM DEFINITION : A form of consumer choice requiring that consumers affirmatively give permission for their information to be used for specific purposes. In the absence of affirmative permission, the information gatherer may assume the information cannot be used for those purposes.
Opt-Out
CIMM DEFINITION : A form of consumer choice requiring consumers to affirmatively decline permission for their information to be used for specific purposes. In the absence of such affirmative notification, the information gatherer may assume that it can use the information for other purposes
Optimization
See also: Media Optimization, Campaign Optimization, Bandwidth Optimization
CIMM DEFINITION : In a media buy the ability to reach as many of consumer segments as possible in a buy for the least amount of money. In Set-Top Box data, the ability to improve a system's efficiency by reducing run time, improving memory capability or increasing Bandwidth etc.
NOTE - We’d argue definition of optimization is much broader. For example, it is the ability to continuously tune targeting based on feedback to drive optimal ROI. (Source: Visible World)
Order
See also: Buy
CIMM DEFINITION : In Video On-Demand, Order starts playback for transaction-oriented pay content.
Orders
CIMM DEFINITION : A billable On-Demand transaction for an asset during the lease / rental window.
Original Buy GRP
CIMM DEFINITION : The amount of grps in the original advertiser buy in the context of a rebuy. (Source: TRA)
Original Buy TRP
CIMM DEFINITION : The amount of TRPs in the original advertiser buy in the context of a rebuy. (Source: TRA)
Original Reach
See also: Reach & Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : The percentage of households in the report group that the ad schedule reached in the original buy in the context of a rebuy. (Source: TRA)
Out (In Thousands) [90s][90s]
See also: Multichannel inheritance
CIMM DEFINITION : The number of Set-Top Boxes that stayed tuned to the network to be counted in the first 90 seconds of the following program. A retention metric. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Outage
See also: Reboot
CIMM DEFINITION : When a system or a STB is unavailable to do its required function because of a (temporary) problem.
Outlet Error
CIMM DEFINITION : The degree to which people who shop at different stores exhibit markedly different responses to a creative execution or exhibit a substantially different pattern of purchase response based on the program types in which they see this commercial execution. (Source: TRA)
NOTE - TRA has yet to observe or quantify this hypothetical type of error; TRA hypothesis is that such error is minimal based on homogeneity of response to creative across shoppers at different stores; to be studied.
Out of Band
See also: In Band
CIMM DEFINITION : Return channel stream, interactive, upstream. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Out of Home Viewing
CIMM DEFINITION : Any viewing that is done outside of the primary residence, currently measured home whether in a bar, hotel, office, group home, dorm, second home, vacation home etc., Currently not measured by Nielsen (although Nielsen has an expanded college dorm sample).
Overlays
See also: Bugs
CIMM DEFINITION : Visual baseline pop-ups added to a TV commercial reflecting the call-to-action prompts with instructions on how to use the remote for interactivity. According to the IAB, Overlays are clickable banner ads that appear on the bottom 20% of the video window. (Source: Mercury Media)
2 : Overlays also used to refer to STB screens that have transparency and are displayed over video. (Source: TIVO)
3 : The individual pages or screens displayed by an EBIF application over top of video. In some context, “overlay” is used to describe an entire EBIF application, regardless of the number of actual pages or screens it displays. (Source: FourthWall Media)
OTA abbr Over The Air
CIMM DEFINITION : Can either mean terrestrial television signals that are not transmitted digitally or, with cell phones, the ability to distribute and upgrade software wirelessly.
2 : Households that receive broadcast signals only on their television sets, with no connection to cable, satellite or another form of Alternate Delivery System (ADS). An individual, operating TV set in the home can also be designated as OTA if it has no such connection as described above. (Source: Rentrak)
Over The Top
CIMM DEFINITION : When the TV receives a signal that is irrespective of the Set-Top Box.
2 : Content viewed that is delivered via broadband streaming or download. (Source: TIVO)
P3
CIMM DEFINITION : A TRA metric - Ratings based on the viewing of program content within 75 hours of the original broadcast. (Source: TRA)
P14
CIMM DEFINITION : A TRA metric - Ratings based on the viewing of program content within 14 days (two weeks) of the original broadcast. (Source: TRA)
Package Tier
CIMM DEFINITION : A collection of specific viewing channels or content by a provider that is sold separately from other channels or content.
Panel Data
See also: Census, Opt In
CIMM DEFINITION : A selected cross section of opt-in consumers or viewers whose behavior and usage is measured over a period of time as a group or set of sub groups with the intent to form opinions and trends about their behaviors.
Panel Match
CIMM DEFINITION : “The process of matching STBs, homes or customer records from one dataset to another.” (Source: Nielsen)
Partial Play
See also: Perfect Play
CIMM DEFINITION : The viewing of an ad not in its entirety. This may be due to a late start, an early exit, or both. (Source: Invidi)
2 : How many households tuned to part of an ad airing. (Source: TRA)
Pause
See also: Trick Play
CIMM DEFINITION : A trick play mode where the viewer can temporarily stop the video and then restart to continue viewing.
2 : Stops selection for a predetermined amount of time (configurable by MSO) and allows consumer to resume playback from that point.
Pay-For-Play
CIMM DEFINITION : Option to view programming with commercials on a free-of-charge basis or charging for the content when it is commercial-free.
NOTE - Pay for play should either be on a subscription basis or on a pay per view basis. (Source: Invidi)
PPV abbr Pay Per View
See also: Video On-Demand
CIMM DEFINITION : Also known as Transactional VOD (aka TOD). A form of Video On-Demand that charges for individual program offerings such as concerts or boxing events.
Percentage of Commercial Seconds
CIMM DEFINITION : The percentage of a daypart or program devoted to commercial time. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Percent Change
CIMM DEFINITION : Percent increase or decrease in Network's household audience between the first and last frame of this advertisement in the context of audience retention. (Source: TRA)
Percent Change GRP
CIMM DEFINITION : The percent change between the GRPs in the original buy and the new buy in the context of a rebuy. (Source: TRA)
Percent Change in Number of Spots
CIMM DEFINITION : Percent change in number of spots between the original buy and the new buy in the context of a rebuy. (Source: TRA)
Percent Change in Reach
See also: Reach & Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : The percent change in reach between the original buy and the new buy in the context of a rebuy. (Source: TRA)
Percent Change in TRP
CIMM DEFINITION : The percent change between the TRPs in the original buy and the new buy in the context of a rebuy. (Source: TRA)
Percent Increase in Revenue
CIMM DEFINITION : The percent of increased total sales for the designated brand between the base and report periods in the context of a rebuy. (Source: TRA)
Percent Target Reach
CIMM DEFINITION : A metric based on the demographic and purchaser target selections, this is the percentage of households that were exposed to the advertisements defined in the campaign at least once (commercial reach). For program reach, percentage of such target households that were exposed to any program in the schedule for at least six minutes. (Source: TRA)
Perfect Play
CIMM DEFINITION : A percentage of the households tuned to the first second of the commercial that stayed tuned to the end. [Note that the reports do not document how many households or how many times a household jumped in to an ad and then switched away from the ad before its end (Partial Play) or how many households tuned to the program before and after the ad but did not tune to the ad (No Play). (Source: TRA)
Permissioning
CIMM DEFINITION : The act of gaining access to a consumer's or viewer's personal information via an interactive, often opt-in approval process.
NOTE – There is a requirement is that any audience measurement must abide by the notice and permission obligations of the stringent privacy laws under which cable, telephone and satellite companies operate.
Persistent STB / Household Identifiers
CIMM DEFINITION : “Codes in the clickstream that identify the individual STB and the household across time (hence, persistent). Through anonymization and / or records separation, such identifiers do not identify individual households. Having these persistent ID’s enables the tracking of reach and frequency which not all Return Path Data services can do.” (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
PII abbr Personally Identifiable Information
See also: Anonymization, De-identify
CIMM DEFINITION : Information that reveals the identity of an individual subscriber, either alone or in combination with other information.
2 : “Any piece of information which can be used independently or with other sources to uniquely identify an individual.” (Source: Nielsen)
3 : “Any information about an individual maintained by an agency, including (1) any information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity, such as name, social security number, date and place of birth, mother's maiden name, or biometric records and (2) any other information that is linked or linkable to an individual such as medical, educational, financial and employment information.” (Source: NIST, Guide to Protecting the Confidentiality of PII)
Personal Identifiable Information (PII) Ingestion
See also: Anonymization
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability to accumulate and aggregate hashed or encrypted personal identity information as part of the Set-Top Box data and measurement processing.
PIV abbr Personal Identity Verification
See also: Authentication
CIMM DEFINITION : Accumulated data that are used to help identify consumers, users or viewers to verify the legitimacy of the data and overcome fraud.
PVR abbr Personal Video Recorder
See also: Digital Video Recorder
CIMM DEFINITION : A consumer device which uses a hard disk drive to record television programs based on the user's preferences. Also provides pause of live television feature. Or a set of equipment that allows a user to timeshift television without removable media. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : Older term for a DVR.
PUT abbr Persons Using Television
CIMM DEFINITION : The percentage or delivery of viewers from a specific age and gender group who are using television at a certain time or day out of all available sets within that population.
2 : Individuals rating (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Picture In Picture
See also: Mosaic TV
CIMM DEFINITION : TV display in which one video source is embedded in a window overlaying the primary viewing source. (Source: Nielsen)
2 : Also referred to as Picture in Graphic when presented in interactive (UI) screens. (Source: TIVO)
Ping
CIMM DEFINITION : An electronic pulse sent to a Set-Top Box to garner data through the backchannel.
2 : A computer network administration utility used to test whether a particular host is reachable across an Internet Protocol (IP) network and to measure the round-trip time for packets sent from the local host to a destination computer, including the local host's own interfaces. (Source: Wikipedia)
3 : A network utility used to test whether a computing device is reachable via an Internet Protocol (IP) network, and measure round trip communication time. In practice, no other data is transmitted via “ping”. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Pitcher
See also: Catcher
CIMM DEFINITION : A hardware product that is used to distribute Video On-Demand assets to an MSO and / or aggregator. The Video On-Demand assets are sent to the catcher.
Planning
See also: Scheduling
CIMM DEFINITION : The process of deciding which type of media or program should be used in order to reach a client’s target audience. Planning software systems are tools for pre- and post- buying, that proposes the network or program against the proposal criteria, provides analysis against media metrics – CPM / CPP, optimizes the network / program selection, tracks program performance against the metrics, and interfaces to the traffic and billing system for scheduling and billing.
Platform Provider
CIMM DEFINITION : Any supplier of subscription voice, video or data services typically a cable MSO, satellite operator or telecommunications company. (Source: Nielsen)
Platform Software
See also: Middleware
CIMM DEFINITION : Part of the computer architecture. Software (such as drivers, an operating system or firmware) that is required in order to run applications.
2 : In the digital cable context, the emerging standard application platforms are EBIF, for all Set-Top Boxes, and Tru2way for Advanced Set-Top Boxes. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Playback
See also: Trick Play
CIMM DEFINITION : Part of Trick Play where pre-recorded content or video is viewed at the convenience of the viewer through the use of a recording device like a DVR.
NOTE - Issues on how to measure and what standards to apply. Is one second delay time shifted? What is the greatest delay in acceptable measurable playback (30 days)?
Play For Pay
See also: Video On-Demand
CIMM DEFINITION : Where a viewer is compensated for viewing content or video.
Playlist
CIMM DEFINITION : In production, it relates to multiple content pieces being edited / stitched together to form one complete asset. Playlist is also a constructed compound asset consisting of at least one feature (possibly multiple features) and zero, one or more inserts played out in a specified sequence as if were a single asset. It is a logical (not physical) grouping of assets identified by metadata.
Pod
See also: Commercial Pod
CIMM DEFINITION : A collection of non-programming content whether commercials, billboards, PSAs, etc., that are inserted as a block of seconds or minutes, before during or after a program.
2 : A group of commercials, promos or announcements contained in a television program break. (Source: Nielsen)
Pod Length
See also: Pod
CIMM DEFINITION : The duration of non-programming content that airs during a program break. (Source: Nielsen)
Pod Number
See also: Pod
CIMM DEFINITION : Where the commercial pod is located within an episode, program or time period.
2 : The relative position of a pod within a given telecast. (Source: Nielsen)
Pod Position
See also: Pod
CIMM DEFINITION : The position of an individual advertisement within a certain commercial pod.
2 : The sequential location of an individual commercial within a pod. (Source: Nielsen)
Pointcasting
See also: Narrowcasting
CIMM DEFINITION : Ability of marketer or advertiser to talk one-to-one with consumer or viewer. It is one-to-one narrowcasting.
Point-to-Point
See also: Video On-Demand
CIMM DEFINITION : Communication connection between two end-points or nodes.
Polling (in Interactive Advertising)
See also: Advanced Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability of the viewer to access surveys via the television remote and register their opinion.
2 : Refers to voting and polling activities via interactive applications in STBs (Source: Rentrak)
Polling (in STB or Household)
CIMM DEFINITION : The constant pinging of a Set-Top Box to determine signal readiness and quality.
Population
See also: Footprints
CIMM DEFINITION : A subset of a footprint or census where a group displays similar qualities or characteristics.
2 : Total count of households or persons within a defined geography or coverage area. (Source: Nielsen)
Post-roll
See also: Pre-Roll
CIMM DEFINITION : An ad that runs after a Video On-Demand.
Premium On-Demand
See also: Subscription On-Demand
CIMM DEFINITION : Preferred consumer term for impulse viewing of a selection of programming with full pause, fast forward and rewind functionality for a flat monthly charge.
Pre-roll
See also: Post-Roll
CIMM DEFINITION : An ad that runs before a Video On-Demand.
PGP abbr Pretty Good Privacy Encryption
See also: Anonymization
CIMM DEFINITION : Software that offers authentication and the ability to encrypt and decrypt data points.
Preview
CIMM DEFINITION : A Preview is something that a content provider produces to promote a particular piece of content. Previews are usually: 30 seconds to 1 minute long, and are most often excerpted from Trailer material provided by the studios for that asset.
Privacy By Design
CIMM DEFINITION : Building in a concern for consumer privacy from the start of a venture whether expressly required or not.
Probability Based Sample
CIMM DEFINITION : A random selection method to create a sample that best replicates the greater census. Each selection in the sample must have the same probability of being chosen for sample selection. (Source: SocialResearchMethods.net)
Product Trials
CIMM DEFINITION : Clickable overlays or enhancements that allow viewers to opt-in to product trials, test drives or other activities.
Program
CIMM DEFINITION : Time between the As-Run start time and As-Run end time of the program block. Program is defined as both programming and commercial spot seconds within an episode. (Source: TIVO)
Program Codes
See also: Ad-ID, Data About Data, Metadata, Program IDs, Watermark
CIMM DEFINITION : Unique identifiers in the audio and video signals that are added to programming and ads that make them easier to track and measure. Also Program IDs.
Program CPM
CIMM DEFINITION : The cost of reaching 1000 impressions of a certain marketing target or audience for the program being measured.
2 : Shows the cost per 1000 impressions total and / or target for the program using the cost data specified by the client or the cost data for the program in this channel / time interval. (Source: TRA)
Program Guide
See also: Interactive Program Guide
CIMM DEFINITION : Program Guide generically means a guide to TV shows, which used to be primarily in print.
Program IDs
See also: Ad-ID, Data About Data, Metadata, Program Codes, Watermark
CIMM DEFINITION : Unique identifiers in the audio and video signals that are added to programming and ads that make them easier to track and measure.
Program Percentage %
CIMM DEFINITION : A Kantar metric - Total duration of program time as a percentage of total (program + commercial) time. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Program Rating
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : The percent of viewers or homes who viewed a program in a certain time period for a certain length of time out of the entire universe of homes or viewers.
2 : The average number of units that viewed the program in which the spot aired expressed as a percent of the designated universe. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
3 : Program rating defines the average per-second audience for the specified program. Rating is calculated as the total tuned seconds divided by the total possible tuned seconds for the content and time period specified. (Source: TRA)
4 : TIVO reports Average Program - Second level Ratings for all programs on 112 networks. Program ratings defined as the average program second. Rating is calculated as the total viewed seconds divided by the duration of the specified period times multiplied by the in-tab. (Source: TIVO)
Progressive Editing
See also: STB on / TV off
CIMM DEFINITION : SOSO (STB on / TV off) guidelines that do not require a specific channel knowledge and could, only on the basis of available STB data, determine when a STB statement requires capping and by how much. Progressive editing levels are proportional to the length of the raw viewing statement. The longer the viewing session is, the greater the probability it will be edited. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Projection
See also: Weighting
CIMM DEFINITION : An estimate. A statistical application in which a sample's characteristics are modeled to match the overall population or universe to make it more accurate.
Projection Television
CIMM DEFINITION : Large screen sets, now mostly HDTV. Includes front and rear projection televisions.
Propagation
CIMM DEFINITION : The process of moving assets throughout an MSO. For example, an MSO may receive and asset at a single site, then it push or propagate the assets throughout the geography (a DMA for example) to other head ends within its system.
PIV abbr Proportion of Viewers Viewing
See also: Viewers Per Thousand Viewing Households
CIMM DEFINITION : The proportion that a specific audience watches of a channel, network, time period or any video content out of an average 1000 homes.
Providers
CIMM DEFINITION : Set-Top Box data providers are the companies - usually MSO, Satellites and Telcos - who are the origination point of the data collection cycle. For consumers and viewers it is the generic term for the companies - usually MSO operators, Satellites and Telcos - who provide the Set-Top Box, Modem and transmission service of content to the home.
Pulling
See also: Back Channel
CIMM DEFINITION : Opposite of "pushing" out content or signals from the operator to the viewer. Advanced Set-Top Boxes can also "pull" data such as usage and viewership from the home or Set-Top Box back to the headend and operator. Back Channels give the capability of both pushing and pulling data and content.
NOTE - Not all boxes pull data and have back channel. Missing viewership for measurement purposes.
Pump
CIMM DEFINITION : The VOD pump is the server which streams video to the viewer on request.
Purchase Data
CIMM DEFINITION : The information collected about consumer spending habits, often in dollars, used to help track ROI and advertising campaign efficiency and success.
Pure Program Rating
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : A program content rating excluding any non-programming elements such as commercials, billboards and PSAs. The percent of viewing to the programming content only out of all sets or homes in the universe (or footprint or population or census or sample) with non-programming content excluded.
2 : Time between the As-Run start time and As-Run end time of the program block, excluding non-program content. Rating of program seconds only, excluding commercial seconds. Pure Program is defined as just the program content or program seconds of an episode. Spot, PSA and Promo seconds are excluded. (Source: TIVO)
Pushing
See also: Back Channel
CIMM DEFINITION : Opposite of "pulling" in viewer information and usage. "Pushing" out content can take place on any type of Set-Top Box - advanced or not, It is the delivery of content through the Set-Top Box to the home or viewer.
Qip Boxes
See also: QAM, Internet Protocol
CIMM DEFINITION : A hybrid Set-Top Box from Motorola that offers QAM and IP at the same time and connects through the internet.
QAM abbr Quadrature Amplitude Modulation
CIMM DEFINITION : A method of modulating digital signals onto a radio-frequency carrier signal involving both amplitude and phase coding. A modulation scheme used by telecommunications providers. More advanced modulation offers increased capacity (e.g., 256 QAM offers greater capacity/transmission speeds than 64 QAM). (Source: CableLabs)
2 : The format by which digital cable channels are encoded and transmitted via cable television providers. QAM tuners can be likened to the cable equivalent of an ATSC tuner which is required to receive over-the-air (OTA) digital channels broadcast by local television stations; many new cable-ready digital televisions support both of these standards. (Source: Wikipedia)
Quality Discrimination
See also: Versioning
CIMM DEFINITION : The process by which consumers self direct themselves into categories based on preferences or behaviors. For example, consumers who are willing to pay more for a product versus those who are more price conscious.
QAM Tuner
See also: Bandwidth Optimization, Switched Digital Video
CIMM DEFINITION : A device in some digital televisions or other devices that enables direct reception of any unscrambled digital cable channels with the use of a Set-Top Box. QAM stands for quadrature amplitude modulation, the format by which digital cable channels are encoded and transmitted via cable television providers. QAM that uses 6 MHz bandwidth carries 38.47 Mbp/s @256QAM (Source: Wikipedia) Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
Rack Mounting
CIMM DEFINITION : Part of a multiple server installation where computers must work together in close proximity
NOTE - Rack mounting simply refers to the fact that the systems are placed in an equipment rack. (Source: Invidi)
Rating
See also: Household Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : The percentage of a sample or population or a census that is tuned to a program, or during a time period or an ad or any piece of content out of the entire population or census. Types of ratings include household, Set-Top Box, program, dynamic viewer segment etc., as well as types of viewing whether "live," linear or playback.
2: The audience tuned to a channel program or spot in a given time frame divided by the selected universe. This is not reach based. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
3: Rating defined as the average second viewed. It is calculated as the total viewed seconds divided by the duration of the specified period times multiplied by the In-Tab. Can be calculated by delay of viewing (live, near live, same day, within three days, within seven days) (Source: TIVO)
NOTE - Standardization - What is "live" viewing? Nielsen uses twenty-five seconds of viewing while TIVO counts viewing within 5 seconds of the originating time.
NOTE - In order to gauge viewership, the boxes are “pulled” at a certain point in time. The channel that the box is turned to at that moment is the channel that gets credit for the viewership. Box pulls might be regarded as ratings (in the case of a partial footprint), delivery or perhaps a new metric?
Rating Points
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : The aggregated total of ratings, whether a gross rating point (GRP) or a Targeted Rating point (TRP).
2: The same as GRPs (Source: TRA)
Reach %
See also: Cume %
CIMM DEFINITION : The percentage of unduplicated homes, Set-Top Boxes or viewers who have viewed or tuned at least once during a time period or program or any piece of content
Reach (in thousands)
See also: Cume (in thousands)
CIMM DEFINITION : The total number of unduplicated homes, Set-Top Boxes or viewers who have viewed or tuned at least once during a time period or program or any piece of content.
2: The total number of people who have contacted at least once during a plan. An item is a daypart, program, spot. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Real-time Customization
CIMM DEFINITION : It is the ability to customize an advertising campaign dynamically in real-time so it is more effective and impactful. (Source: Visible World)
Real-time Customization
CIMM DEFINITION : It is the ability to customize an advertising campaign dynamically in real-time so it is more effective and impactful. (Source: Visible World)
Reboot
See also: Outage
CIMM DEFINITION : A readjusting of the Set-Top Box where the box is turned off and then on to help recalibrate it. All data can be lost during a reboot.
Recorded Event
See also: Trick Play
CIMM DEFINITION : A piece of content that is or has been recorded and is available for playback.
RBOC abbr Regional Bell Operating Companies
CIMM DEFINITION : The smaller, regional telephone companies (also known as Baby Bells) created as a result of the break up of AT&T Bell System.
NOTE - Fragmentation of the Telco market impacts measurement.
Remote Clicks
See also: Remote
CIMM DEFINITION : Also referred to as remote key presses, the action of pressing keys or buttons on the remote as part of the viewer usage whether to change a channel, use the DVR, turn the set or box on or off, etc. "Clicks" are often captured by the service provider to execute transactions (e.g., deliver Video On-Demand), to change channels or measure channel usage.
2 : “The number of STB exposures in which the user interacted with an AdWidget via clicking at least one key on the Remote Control. Also called Total Remote Clicks.” (Source: FourthWall Media)
3 : “A metric measuring engagement with interactive content or advertising enhancements.” (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE - Not always available to the data processor and often not granular enough. Eventually need to standardize it and store the data.
Remote (Remote Control)
CIMM DEFINITION : A separate hand held device that is electronically connected to media equipment to help control utilization preferences (such as channel choice) from a certain distance.
2 : A device which issues commands to any other device (TV, STB, Stereo etc) enabling the user to control functionality from a distance. (Source: Nielsen
NOTE - There is data in the Remote Control that can help with Set-Top Box on / TV off measurement, among other things.
NOTE - Data normally stored on STB, not remote. (Source: TIVO)
NOTE - Extant Remote Controls shipped used with Cisco and Motorola STBs do not store data. Also, the TV control signals sent by the remote to control the TV are filtered by the low-level IR drivers in the STB, and not accessible. (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE - The use of the on / off button on the remote is problematic since it acts as a toggle and is not the only way to turn on / off the set. It will be very easy to get out of sync using this button. (Source: Invidi)
Remote Key Presses
See also: Remote Clicks
CIMM DEFINITION : Also referred to as remote key presses, the action of pressing keys or buttons on the remote as part of the viewer usage whether to change a channel, use the DVR, turn the set or box on or off, etc. "Clicks" are often captured by the service provider to execute transactions (e.g., deliver Video On-Demand), to change channels or measure channel usage.
Reportable Day
See also: Broadcasting Day
CIMM DEFINITION : The 24-hour day definition used for validating tuning records and applying context to tuning behavior. (Source: Nielsen)
2 : Broadcasting Day.
NOTE – Different reportable days for different processors.
Reporting Engine
CIMM DEFINITION : The software that processes and creates end-user reports.
RFI abbr Request For Information
See also: Addressable advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability of a viewer to request items via their Set-Top Box whether information, coupons, samples, etc.
2 : A specific type of EBIF application that offers the viewer the ability to request the advertisers to send more information. It is available, with many different templates for overlay display options on television, as an interactive advertising product. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Resident Application
See also: Middleware
CIMM DEFINITION : Software program(s) in a Set-Top Box that can be updated via a signal or data stream by the network operator as needed.
2 : In the digital cable context, “resident application” is the application which is loaded and always available to the viewer when the Set-Top Box is starts. It is effectively synonymous with the Interactive Program Guide (IPG). It is a software layer that is part operating system and part application. Examples are Cisco Sara, Rovi Passport, and Time-Warner Cable’s MDN Navigator on Cisco STBs, and Comcast iGuide and Rovi Passport on Motorola STBs. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Responses
CIMM DEFINITION : Viewer initiated action that indicates receipt of a message or content or video.
2 : The number of remote clicks in which the user not only interacted but completely and positively opted-in. If an AdWidget requires a double opt-in then only full double opt-ins are counted. Also called Total Responses. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Restart Video
See also: Resume Video
CIMM DEFINITION : In Video On-Demand, starts a suspended video from the beginning from the Saved programs / My Rentals list option.
Resume Video
See also: Restart Video
CIMM DEFINITION : In Video On-Demand, resumes suspended video from the Saved programs / My Rentals list option.
Retention
See also: Commercial Viewing Index
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability to capture and hold on to the attention and / or retain a message in the memory of a viewer or consumer.
2 : Ratio of ad rating in program to total program rating.
Return Channel
CIMM DEFINITION : A data path that goes from the subscriber to the cable headend. Also known as Upstream, Reverse Path or Return Path. (Source: IAB)
ROI abbr Return on Investment
CIMM DEFINITION : A term used to quantify the amount of income, calculatable value, business, market share, consumer affection or any other type of gain, garnered from an advertising campaign or other cost initiative. Financially it is how an entity measures the performance of its assets.
2 : Matching tuning records with consumer purchase behavior. (Source: Nielsen)
3 : The ratio of total incremental sales produced by a marketing stimulus to total cost of that stimulus. (Source: TRA)
ROMI abbr Return on Marketing Investment
See also: Return on Investment
CIMM DEFINITION : The optimization of marketing spend for the short and long term in support of the brand strategy by building a market model using valid, objective marketing metrics. Improving ROMI leads to improved marketing effectiveness, increased revenue, profit and market share for the same amount of marketing spend. (Source: Wikipedia)
Return Path
See also: Back Channel, Pulling
CIMM DEFINITION : Another name for backchannel. A term used to describe the technology which provides the infrastructure for electronic traffic traveling from the subscriber to the platform company. (Source: Nielsen)
RPD abbr Return Path Data
CIMM DEFINITION : Any data received from the return path. Data can be pulled from Set-Top Boxes, mobile, internet etc.
2 : A specific system component in the current Motorola cable headend environment that provides the return data service. Any Set-Top Box data sent to the server side utilizes this system. (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE - Census data not available. STB data currently limited. Nielsen has developed specific procedures to complete the value of STB tuning data. (Source: Nielsen)
RPDi abbr Return Path Data Individual
CIMM DEFINITION : Possibly unique to Kantar Media Audiences. It is an opt-in panel of individuals who have agreed to participate in a measurement panel and whose viewing will be recorded and ascribed back to them for measurement purposes. Enables the ability to see a person’s viewing and tuning behaviors rather than just household level or Set-Top Box level viewing and tuning behaviors.
Rewind
CIMM DEFINITION : Allows viewer to go back to earlier portion of programming; image remains on screen throughout.
RF Report
CIMM DEFINITION : A TRA Report which builds on the data generated by the AME report and adds commercial reach frequency and frequency distribution values for the campaign against total homes and purchaser / demographic target homes broken out as desired e.g. by advertising creatives executions, etc. (Source: TRA)
ROI Index
CIMM DEFINITION : A Nielsen index which compares the ROI percentage of a specific program or campaign to all ROI percentages, thus creating an index. (Source: Nielsen)
ROI Report
CIMM DEFINITION : A TRA report that combines tuning and purchasing data to calculate the ROI associated with an advertising campaign and / or with parts of that campaign. (Source: TRA)
ROIx Report
CIMM DEFINITION : A TRA report that compares purchasing behaviors of households who were exposed to the advertising with those who were not. (Source: TRA)
ROVI i-Guide
CIMM DEFINITION : Once called the TV Guide channel, it is the viewer’s interactive program guide channel that lists all programs for each available network and channel. Other information is available through addressable elements including exposure to Banner Ads, Click-Throughs, switch to VOD, RFI, tuning and recording programs.
Same Day Viewing
See also: Trick Play
CIMM DEFINITION : Any live viewing plus any playback within the same broadcast day.
Sample (in Measurement)
See also: Census
CIMM DEFINITION : A statistically stable, randomly selected subset of a full census or population whose behavior is a projectable prototype of the behavior of the full population or census.
2 : TSet-Top Boxes or households randomly selected from a universe to represent that universe. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Sample (in Advertising)
See also: Coupons
CIMM DEFINITION : In such services as VOD, samples are like coupons. They are clickable overlays or enhancements before, during or after a video ad whereby a viewer can request products, get more information, or receive a coupon.
SPI abbr Sample Performance Index
CIMM DEFINITION : A measurement used as a substitute for Response Rate in some panel design applications and for television people meters. In personal people meters, SPI is the percentage of persons in Basic Households who were In-Tab over a given period of time over the total number of persons In-Tab. (Source: Arbitron)
Satellite
CIMM DEFINITION : Device located in geostationary orbit above the earth which receives transmissions from separate points and retransmits them to cable systems, DBS and others over a wide area. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : Synchronous communications satellites orbiting earth from a stationary position transmitting television and other signals. (Source: Nielsen)
Satellite (aka Satco) Data
See also: Data Type
CIMM DEFINITION : Like MSO operator Set-Top Box data, the usage and / or viewership data that is retrieved from the boxes of a satellite provider.
Saved Programs
CIMM DEFINITION : Denotes a viewer has stopped play of a particular piece of On-Demand content. Content (currently only some subscription and paid programming) is automatically saved for a specified period of time for consumer access.
Schedule Accuracy
See also: As Run Logs
CIMM DEFINITION : A challenge for Set-Top Box data and other types of viewership measurement because of last minute changes to the program line-up that do not match with the line-up information provided by the scheduling services or content providers.
Scheduling
See also: Planning
CIMM DEFINITION : The process of deciding where to place advertising content, dependant on various factors including, duration, time to be shown, product, audience make up. The schedule uses a grid broken into seasons, i.e., Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, football, political, dayparts (i.e., prime time, late night) and program genre.
Scrambling
See also: Encryption
CIMM DEFINITION : The encryption of a signal that prevents non-subscribers from accessing the content, channel or network.
Scrambling the Data
See also: Data Cleansing, Harmonize the Data, Normalize the Data
CIMM DEFINITION : The process of cleaning up or erasing the duplicated, incomplete, incorrect datapoints from a database.
Search
CIMM DEFINITION : Allows viewer to "interactively" identify content of particular interest.
SAP abbr Second Audio Program
CIMM DEFINITION : In a BTSC-encoded television sound carrier, a monaural audio subcarrier that can be used to transmit supplemental foreign language translation audio or other information.
Second-by-second Ratings
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : Program, time period or other performance ratings that are in second-by-second increments.
2 : Second level program and commercial ratings defined as percentage of boxes viewing a given second. (Source: TIVO)
NOTE - Latency impacts measurement and standardization.
Segmentation
CIMM DEFINITION : A market segment is a sub-set of a market made up of people or organizations sharing one or more characteristics that cause them to demand similar product and/or services based on qualities of those products such as price or function. A true market segment meets all of the following criteria: it is distinct from other segments (different segments have different needs), it is homogeneous within the segment (exhibits common needs); it responds similarly to a market stimulus, and it can be reached by a market intervention. (Source: Wikipedia via Visible World)
Select OK
CIMM DEFINITION : Allows viewer to choose an action or piece of content (as displayed on the screen).
S Video abbr Separate Video
See also: Composite Video, Component Video
CIMM DEFINITION : An analog video signal that has two separate components - luma for luminance and chroma for color and offers better signal quality than a composite video which combines the two signals into one with lower quality.
SDI abbr Serial Digital Interface
CIMM DEFINITION : Transmission of uncompressed, unencrypted digital video signals (optionally including embedded Audio and/or Time Code) within television facilities; they can also be used for packetized data. (Source: Wikipedia)
Server
CIMM DEFINITION : A computer or computer program that provides services to other computer programs and their users such as fulfilling requests from other programs.
Server Log Data
CIMM DEFINITION : A file of historical data that is created and maintained by a server. Can contain a range of viewer and consumer datapoints that can be used for measurement purposes.
Sessions So Short They Need To Be Capped
See also: Capping
CIMM DEFINITION : A Kantar term for when there are gaps between viewing sessions that are so short (under 60 seconds) that there has to be some viewing. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Sets - Primary, Secondary etc
CIMM DEFINITION : Televisions as they are located in the home. The primary set is the one that is the primary set for television viewing by most of the family. A secondary set is usually located in the secondary choice of venue for viewing television, such as a bedroom.
2 : When multiple televisions are located in the home, the primary set is the one used for the majority of television viewing time within the home. A secondary set contributes less of the total household viewing time. (Source: Rentrak)
Set-Top Box
CIMM DEFINITION : A device that can be an actual box attached to the television externally or it can reside within the television. The Set-Top Box can be analog or digital, based on the quality and the signal and the technological capabilities of the box software.
2 : A Set-Top Box is a device that enables a television set to become a user interface to the Internet and also enables a television set to receive and decode digital television (DTV) broadcasts. DTV Set-Top Boxes are sometimes called receivers. In the Internet realm, a Set-Top Box is really a specialized computer that can "talk to" the Internet - that is, it contains a Web browser (which is really a Hypertext Transfer Protocol client) and the Internet's main program, TCP / IP. The service to which the Set-Top Box is attached may be through a telephone line as, for example, with WebTV, or through a cable TV company like TCI. In DTV, a typical digital Set-Top Box contains one or more microprocessors for running the operating system. A Set-Top Box also includes RAM, an MPEG decoder chip, and more chips for audio decoding and processing. More sophisticated Set-Top Boxes contain a hard drive for storing recorded television broadcasts, for downloaded software, and for other applications provided by your DTV service provider. (Source: itvdictionary.com and Searchnetworking.techtarget.com)
3 : Any device that connects to a television set and an external source of digital or analog signal, converting the signal into content which is then displayed on the television screen, Also known as a converter box or video access device (VAD). (Source: Nielsen)
4 : A cable Set-Top Box is a device that is an actual customer premises equipment that received television and other data signals through Cable, processes the signal, and outputs to the television. Majority of US cable Set-Top Boxes are manufactured by Motorola and Cisco / Scientific-Atlanta.(Source: FourthWall Media)
STB Churn
See also: Churn
CIMM DEFINITION : The ebb and flow of a Set-Top Box population. Occurs when moving homes - from address to address or subscriber to subscriber - or cancellation of or new subscription to service for other reasons.
STB Exposures
See also: Churn
CIMM DEFINITION : The number of instances of an AdWidget (embedded in a spot ad) executing on Set-Top Boxes. Also called total STB exposures. (Source: FourthWall Media)
STB ID
See also: MAC address
CIMM DEFINITION : A unique identifier used to represent an individual Set-Top Box. (Source: Nielsen)
SOSO abbr STB On / TV Off
CIMM DEFINITION : A measurement challenge - instances where the television set is turned off but the Set-Top Box remains turned on. In this situation, no viewing is taking place but the Set-Top Box continues to record viewing to the last channel.
NOTE - Possibly use data gathered from the Remote Control to match set off with viewing cessation.
Set-Top Box Rating
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : Rating based on the Set-Top Box rather than household or person.
2 : The percentage of available STBs within a sample or population or a census that is watching a program, or during a time period or an ad or any piece of content out of the measured population or census. (Source: Nielsen)
STU abbr Set Top Unit
See also: Set-Top Box
CIMM DEFINITION : Same term used for Set-Top Box
Share
CIMM DEFINITION : The percentage of viewing to a program or time period out of only those sets or Set-Top Boxes in use at the time.
2 : A channel's average audience divided by the total audience of television viewers (TTV) expressed as a percentage. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Share of Hours
CIMM DEFINITION : The percentage of hours spent on content or channel out of the total number of hours available.
SOR abbr Share of Requirements
CIMM DEFINITION : The amount of money the consumer spends on a particular brand divided by the amount of money that consumer spends on the entire category of products. (Source: TRA)
Shopping Cart
CIMM DEFINITION : Saves content to a list for later purchase.
Showcase
CIMM DEFINITION : Collection of video segments (including ads, short-form programming, other elements) presented in a single interface, branded package around an advertiser's targeted content or message.
Signal Latency
See also: Latency
CIMM DEFINITION : The lag time that occurs in the physical distribution plant and some STBs when the box changes channels or uploads so that tuning event timing relative to the same content can occur in one home at a slightly different time than in another home. Can be as much as several seconds.
2 : Broadcast and display time differences (typically in seconds) caused by variations in signal source. (Source: TIVO)
Simulated Reality
See also: Virtual Reality
CIMM DEFINITION : A "created reality", possibly by computer, that is indistinguishable from actual reality. Opposite of virtual reality which the user recognizes as not actual reality.
Simultaneous Media Usage
See also: Multitasking
CIMM DEFINITION : A form of multi-tasking where a viewer or consumer uses several different forms of media all at the same time. Overlapping use of different media.
Single Platform Measurement
See also: IPTV
CIMM DEFINITION : A type of Tru2Way measurement that enables data gathering and aggregation through one processor box. A single platform that captures and processes all Set-Top Box data.
Single Source Data
CIMM DEFINITION : Different kinds of data that are derived from the same viewer or household. Can be media data, shopping data etc.
2 : Data that is derived from one source. Single source data is the electronic measurement of TV (and possibly other media/marketing) exposure, and purchase behavior for the same household. This measurement is gauged through the collection of data components supplied by one or more parties overlapped through a single, integrated system of data collection. The means by which these data are stored is known as a single source database. In TV advertising measurement, single source data are used to explore an individual’s loyalty and buying behavior in relation to advertising exposure within different windows of time – e.g. year, quarter, month, week. In this sense, single source data is a compilation of (1) Home-scanned sales records and/or loyalty card purchases from retail or grocery stores and other commerce operations, (2) TV tune-in data from cable Set-Top Boxes or people meters (pushbutton or passive) or household tuning meters, and (3) Household demographic information. The value of single-source data lies in the fact that it is highly disaggregate across individuals and within time. Single source data reveals differences among households’ exposure to a brand’s ads and their purchases of those brands within advertising fluctuations. (Source: Wikipedia)
3 : The ability to report on integrated media/advertising and CPG product purchases behavior measures. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Skews
CIMM DEFINITION : When a sample or a subset of a population or a specific footprint deviates from the actual distribution of the universe or population.
NOTE - Population or data skews in the STB data - based on the footprint, can skew more upscale (as in AT&T) or lack of linear TV viewing because entire sample is DVR (such as in TIVO).
NOTE - Kantar says there are no skews to their data since census or sample is representative of the underlying universes from which they are drawn.
Skins
CIMM DEFINITION : A type of ad in addressable advertising where a frame around a piece of content contains the ad information / message.
2 : Also referred to as Wrappers. (Source: TIVO)
Skipping
See also: Trick Play
CIMM DEFINITION : The act of avoiding content, particularly advertising, by skipping over the ads via the use of the DVR trick play modes.
Slingbox
CIMM DEFINITION : A television streaming device that enables remote viewing. It connects the home television feed - whether from a DVR, cable operator, satellite or Telco - to a broadband enabled computer. It enables a viewer to view content from their home television anywhere in the world via their computer screen.
SlingPlayer Mobile
See also: Sling Box
CIMM DEFINITION : An application that lets you watch and control your home TV and DVR via your Slingbox™ on your smartphone.
Smallest Viewing Increment
CIMM DEFINITION : The agreed upon minimum length of time that a viewer has to spend on a piece of content that will constitute actual measurable viewing. Differing latencies by box manufacturer impacts the calculation and standardization.
NOTE - If someone is channel surfing, then a pull to that box for that second would not represent actual viewing. Most processors say that the standard length of time should be in five second increments. However Rentrak uses a formula to calculate a standard length that varies by programming genre and changes as the amount of data increases. (Rentrak attributes this to SOSO curves)
Smart Card
CIMM DEFINITION : Usually about the size of a credit card, a smart card has embedded computer chips or a micro processor that enables Set-Top Box data providers to deliver certain channels and levels of service as well as to track viewing, usage and tuning.
Smart TV Set-Top Box
See also: Set-Top Box
CIMM DEFINITION : Same as Advanced Set-Top Boxes.
Smoothing
CIMM DEFINITION : A technique that tries to compensate for the differences in successive backchannel pings from the Set-Top Box for measurement and service purposes.
2 : Also used to refer to Video Smoothing. (Source: TIVO)
Snacking
CIMM DEFINITION : A form of television or video content viewing where the viewer samples small segments of the content in a viewing session rather than view the content in its entirety.
Snapshot Viewing
See also: Logging Viewing
CIMM DEFINITION : A frozen view of data at a specific point in time which can be viewed as a report such as in a PDF file, at a later time. (Source: http://blogs.msdn.com)
NOTE - In computing, Snapshots are back-up records that can be used for troubleshooting and fixing problems.
Snipet
CIMM DEFINITION : A three second ad.
Social Media Center
See also: Boxee
CIMM DEFINITION : A home-based cross platform freeware home entertainment system that gives viewers the ability to view content and have interactivity where they can, among other things, rate content and engage in social networking.
SCTE abbr Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers
CIMM DEFINITION : Creators of standard measurements for advanced television. SCTE 30 - Originally intended to be used for Digital Program Insertion in linear broadcast channels, this standard has since grown to support addressable advertising with SCTE 130 formerly DVS 629 . SCTE 30 messages are sent between the ad insertion server and the splicer to ad insertion points. SCTE 35 - Originally intended to be used for Digital Program Insertion in linear broadcast channels. The digital cue tone that defines when a switch should occur in the splicer.
SaaS abbr Software as a Service
See also: Ad Manager
CIMM DEFINITION : A model of software deployment where a software provider licenses an application for use as a service On-Demand. (Source: Wikipedia)
Sort Content
CIMM DEFINITION : Sorting content so that it makes the most sense to the viewer.
Spanish Language Programming
CIMM DEFINITION : Icon / indicator designating that programming is available in Spanish.
Special Offers
CIMM DEFINITION : Refers to all types of promotional offers, not just “sales” events. E.g., could use to notify when PPV content (concerts, fights, etc.,) becomes available to On-Demand users, in addition to Double Feature or other promos.
Splice
CIMM DEFINITION : A hardware or software system that inserts or combines audio / video streams to be played on a Set-Top Box.
Sponsor Produced Content
CIMM DEFINITION : Branded, stand-alone content produced by a sponsor.
Spot Level Ratings
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : The percentage of viewers viewing the commercial spot out of the total universe or population.
Spot Runs
CIMM DEFINITION : The number of times a given spot ad was broadcast from the headend regardless of the number of STB exposures, remote clicks or responses. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Spreadability
CIMM DEFINITION : A new form of participatory culture where consumers take media in their own hands reworking its content to serve their personal and collective interests. (Source: Convergence Culture Consortium)
SAU abbr Standard or Static Ad Units
See also: Advanced Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : The opposite of Dynamic Ad Units (which are interactive and addressable). Static Ad Units are those advertisements that are delivered uniformly in a standard size and format. (Source: Mercury Media)
SDTV abbr Standard Definition TV
See also: High Definition TV
CIMM DEFINITION : A TV with an internal digital tuner. SDTV has the basic digital television format closest to traditional analog TV.
Start / End of Recording
See also: Trick Play
CIMM DEFINITION : The indicators of when the video content (such as a program) will start recording and when it will stop and end the recording.
Start Over
CIMM DEFINITION : A capability and service offered through Time Warner Cable. Start Over is a Digital Cable feature that allows you to start over certain TV shows that are already in progress.
Stay Away Minutes
See also: Perfect Play
CIMM DEFINITION : Average number of minutes households stayed away, that switched away during a specified commercial airing but did return to this channel before the end of the programming day. (Source: TRA)
Stayed Away
See also: Perfect Play
CIMM DEFINITION : Percentage of households that switched away during the commercial that did not return to this channel for the remainder of that programming day. (Source: TRA)
Stereo
CIMM DEFINITION : Icon / indicator designating sound transmission from two sources through two channels.
Stickiness Index
CIMM DEFINITION : An engagement metric indicating the degree to which a program is viewed. The percent of program that has been watched. The greater the percentage of the program viewed compared to all programs of the same duration in a certain time period, the greater the stickiness index. (Source: Rentrak)
Stitching
CIMM DEFINITION : In a digitalized media environment it is the ability to combine many pieces of content (videos, graphics etc) into one high quality signal that has less bandwidth than the sum of its parts.
2 : An algorithm used to connect the same Set-Top Box's tuning from one day to the next, when a Set-Top Box is tuned across the daily cut off point (e.g. 2am). (Source: TRA)
Stop
CIMM DEFINITION : Allows viewer to cease playback of Video On-Demand programming.
Streaming Server
CIMM DEFINITION : A centralized internet server that distributes VOD assets to a viewer upon request.
Streaming Video
CIMM DEFINITION : A form of compressed video that is delivered over the internet in real-time. It can be played instantly without the need to buffer and pause.
Stress Loads
CIMM DEFINITION : The amount of processing activity that a Set-Top Box may be performing at the same time such as program log corrections with DVR taping, DVR playback. Can slow the system and increase Latency.
NOTE - Impacts logging and therefore Latency and standardization of Latency metric.
Stress Testing
CIMM DEFINITION : Testing performed to ensure Set-Top Box reliability, in particular how it functions and how it logs actions under higher activity loads. (Source: TIVO)
Sub Data
CIMM DEFINITION : As it is used here, this refers to a distinguishing field in the subscriber data associated with AdWidget data. Zip code is one such field. But others (e.g. has voice, has HBO etc) may be useful for grouping data in reports. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Subscriber
CIMM DEFINITION :A contracted consumer of a particular product or service. (Source: Nielsen)
2 : Subscriber database that can link STB ID to postal code and a demographic code. (Source: BigBand Networks)
NOTE - Counted by the STB or by the household?
Subscription Model
CIMM DEFINITION :A revenue model that charges for content on a per piece or clustered content basis.
SVOD abbr Subscription VOD
See also: Subscription Model, Video On-Demand
CIMM DEFINITION :Same as Subscription Model but for VOD services. Examples are HBO On-Demand and Showtime On-Demand.
2 : Impulse viewing of a selection of programming with full pause, fast forward and rewind functionality for a flat monthly charge. Note: “Premium On-Demand” is the preferred consumer term for this service.
Suite
See also: Tier
CIMM DEFINITION : Bundles of channels offered as a package
Superbowl Effect
See also: Capping
CIMM DEFINITION : Different capping indicators for long viewing sessions. The Superbowl is an example of viewing for long periods without changing the channel. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Super Box Set-Top Box (All In One)
See also: Advanced Set-Top Box, All-In-One, Digital Set-Top Box, Enhanced Set-Top Box, Set-Top Box
CIMM DEFINITION : Same as "All In One" Set-Top Box. Set-Top Boxes that have more advanced features. Are more likely to be integrated with such services as DVRs, high-speed internet access, interactive TV, digital video recording and gaming.
Surfing
See also: Grazing
CIMM DEFINITION : When a viewer grazes over various channels, networks or any series of content in short time spans without viewing it.
Switch Away
See also: Retention
CIMM DEFINITION : The percentage of households who were tuned to the first frame of the commercial or advertisement but who tuned away before the last frame. (Source: TRA)
SDV abbr Switched Digital Video
See also: Advanced Advertising, Bandwidth Optimization
CIMM DEFINITION : A method of distributing digital video, utilizing bandwidth more efficiently by only broadcasting channels that have been requested by at least one household within a cable service area. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : “Switched digital video refers to a network scheme for distributing digital video by managing network bandwidth resources. Switched video sends the digital video in a more efficient manner so that additional programs may be available for users using he freed up bandwidth. One of the core technologies that can make advanced advertising in linear programming a reality for cable operators.” (Source: BigBand Networks)
3 : “A telecommunications industry term for a network scheme for distributing digital video via a cable. Switched video sends the digital video in a more efficient manner so that additional uses may be made of the freed up bandwidth. The scheme applies to digital video distribution on cable TV systems using QAM channels, or on IPTV systems.” (Source: Wikipedia)
Switched Unicast
See also: Switched Digital Video
CIMM DEFINITION : A form of switched digital video in which each active subscriber receives a unique stream.
Symmetric DSL
See also: Asymmetric DSL, Digital Subscriber Line, High Speed DSL, Very High-Speed DSL
CIMM DEFINITION : Similar to High Digital Subscriber Line, SDSL is an HDSL variation that is rate adaptive, uses one cable pair and is offered in speeds from 144 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps. Like HDSL, SDSL does not share lines with analog phones. (Source: PC Mag.com)
Synchronization Software / Hardware
CIMM DEFINITION : An application or hardware designed to help incorporate and often aggregate various disparate streams of datapoints.
NOTE - All streams must be matched (audio and video) before viewing.
Syndicated Program Measurement
CIMM DEFINITION : Syndicated programming measurement poses a challenge in Set-Top Box data measurement because programming line-ups and program title and episode coding must be nationalized and aggregated over various time periods, channels and networks.
System Software
See also: Operating System
CIMM DEFINITION : Underlying software that enables all other software to run.
Targeted Advertising
See also: Advanced Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : Selection of different advertising messages to segmented groups of viewers so as to more effectively reach consumers with relevant advertising and information.
Targeted Effective CPM
See also: Effective CPM
CIMM DEFINITION : The cost per 1000 impressions achieved against an advertiser specific target segment(s) that is more refined and/or a better proxy for the desired consumer profile than the traditional audience segments that are broadly defined by age and/or gender. (Source: Visible World).
Targeted Effective Frequency
See also: Effective Frequency, Reach & Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : The average number of times an advertiser specific target segment is exposed to a targeted commercial. (Source: Visible World).
Targeted Effective Reach
See also: Effective Frequency, Reach & Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : The total number of households within an advertiser specific target segment(s) that are exposed with an effective frequency. (Source: Visible World).
TRPs abbr Targeted GRPs
See also: GRP
CIMM DEFINITION : The total of all the ratings for all the shows or ads bought in an advertiser's contract reported as a gross number among the viewer target for that advertiser.
2 : Targeted GRPs. Same as GRPs but among the specific target audience. (Source: TRA)
T-Commerce
See also: Advanced Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : Interactive television commerce.
2 : A specific set of EBIF applications in the FourthWall Media’s AdWidgets System to enable commercial transactions on television, e.g. buy a pizza. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Telco
CIMM DEFINITION : An abbreviated term referring to a telecommunications or telephone company. (Source: Nielsen)
Telco Data
See also: Data Type
CIMM DEFINITION : The viewership and usage data provided by Telephone company video providers.
Telescoping
See also: Advanced Advertising, Interactive Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : A form of interactive or advanced advertising in which the viewer can link from a video on a channel to deeper content, such as Video On-Demand or a website for more information and possible purchase.
2 : Form of advanced TV advertising in which linear programming leads a viewer to a corresponding video asset within a VOD environment. (Source: Nielsen)
3 : Video ad unit(s) associated with or accessible from video commercials, display ads or overlays, which provide more in-depth product information.
Temporal Accuracy
See also: Second-by-second Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : That a tuning event said to occur at a specific time really did occur at that time. (Source: TRA)
Terrestrial Television
See also: Over The Air
CIMM DEFINITION : Often referred to as broadcast television it is the ability to transmit television signals through the atmosphere and an antenna without the use of satellite or cable. Does not require a subscription and is offered free to view as long as you have the equipment. Considered an older form of television distribution.
Thick Set-Top Box
See also: Advanced Set-Top Box, Set-Top Box
CIMM DEFINITION : Casual term for Advanced Set-Top Box.
Thin Set-Top Box
See also: Advanced Set-Top Box, Set-Top Box
CIMM DEFINITION : Another term for Broadcast TV Set-Top Box or Analog.
2 : Also used to refer to STBs that may not have a tuner. (Source: TIVO)
3D TV
CIMM DEFINITION : A form of advanced digital television where images in content appear three dimensional with the use of special glasses.
2 : 3D television employs some form of stereoscopy and a special viewing device to project a television program into a realistic three-dimensional field.
Tier, Tiering
CIMM DEFINITION : The packaging of channels or service options sold as a group of channels or as a level of service.
Time Adjustment
See also: Clock Drift
CIMM DEFINITION : Clocks in Set-Top Boxes may be logged differently and may have clock drift. Processors must standardize the various clock times as part of the measurement process.
Time / Date Stamps
CIMM DEFINITION : Unique codes inserted into content to help identify the time and date of the exposure for tracking purposes.
Time-of-Exposure Time Stamp
See also: Time / Date Stamp
CIMM DEFINITION : An embedded code that indicates the time and date of a video, program, ad or other piece of content.
Time Shifted Commercial Substitution
See also: Dynamic Insertion
CIMM DEFINITION : During time-shifted viewing, original broadcast ads replaced with other video ads.
Time Shifted HUT
CIMM DEFINITION : Percentage of homes using television including any trick play viewing, specifically playback, whether based on time of recording or time of playback.
NOTE - Edit rules vary by data processor.
Time Shifted Television
See also: Trick Play
CIMM DEFINITION : Content that has been recorded with the intent to view at another time in the future. Also, the playing back of such content.
2 :Recorded or stored program content that is accessed at a time later than the original telecast. Pre-recorded content stored with the intent to tune at future dates. (Source: Nielsen)
3 :The phenomenon of playing back home-recorded TV content. (Source: TRA)
Time Shifted Tuning
CIMM DEFINITION : Tuning to any pre-recorded content from any digital device. (Source: Nielsen)
Time Shifted Viewing
See also: Trick Play
CIMM DEFINITION : A form of delayed viewing in which the viewer records a piece of content with the intent of viewing it at some time in the future.
Time Spent
CIMM DEFINITION : The amount of time that a home, Set-Top Box or viewer spends on a piece of content whether viewing or interacting with it in some form.
NOTE - According to TIVO, refers to Duration or Dwell Time. TIVO also measures time spent in specific features and in interactive advertising.
Token
CIMM DEFINITION : An event or a grouping of bits or characters or bits of data that describes a tune-in to an event. A set of data that indicates when an event has occurred.
NOTE - Blank Video tokens are a challenge to measurement.
Total Audience Rating
See also: Rating
CIMM DEFINITION : Unduplicated percentage of the specified population that has tuned to a particular network, program or other piece of content for a given minimum interval of time such as six minutes. The total audience rating is higher than the average audience rating, which is measured on an average minute or an average second basis.
Total Impressions
See also: Delivery
CIMM DEFINITION : The simple aggregate count of how many times a channel program or spot was accessed over a designated period by a specified population. Includes duplicated audiences or homes. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
2 :The aggregate count of households, STBs or persons exposed to a tuning event. (Source: Nielsen)
Total Item Reach (%)
See also: Reach & Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : The total cumulative homes or Set-Top Boxes exposed at least once to a channel program or spot in the specified time frame expressed as a percentage of the designated universe. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Total Item Reach (in Thousands)
See also: Reach & Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : The total accumulated number of units in thousands (Set-Top Boxes or households) exposed at least once to a channel program or spot in the specified time frame. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Total Minutes
CIMM DEFINITION : Total tuning or viewing in minutes among the designated universe.
(Source: Kantar Media Audience)
2 :TIVO does not provide total minutes among viewers. They measure second-by-second and can derive total seconds viewed from logs. (Source: TIVO)
Total Minutes Among Viewers
See also: Reach & Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : Total tuning or viewing in minutes among viewers that meet user-defined reach condition. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences
NOTE – TIVO doesn’t provide total minutes among viewers or user-defined reach criteria. The total seconds viewed from all viewers with a minimum exposure to the content (ex: spot) for at least 10% of the length of the content can be calculated from Reach.
Total Remote Clicks
See also: Remote Clicks
CIMM DEFINITION : Cumulative Remote Clicks.
Touch Points (or Touchpoints)
CIMM DEFINITION : A contact point with the consumer, service, brand or viewer, often via an ad through a media vehicle. That which connects to a viewer before during and after a transaction that can raise awareness, affinity and adoption.
Touch Points (or Touchpoints)
CIMM DEFINITION : A contact point with the consumer, service, brand or viewer, often via an ad through a media vehicle. That which connects to a viewer before during and after a transaction that can raise awareness, affinity and adoption.
Traffic & Billing
CIMM DEFINITION : A software solution which provides scheduling, inventory management analysis and billing of commercial media inventory.
Trailer
CIMM DEFINITION : Trailers are typically produced by the studios to promote a particular piece of content, and range from about one to three minutes in length.
Transactional Ads
CIMM DEFINITION : Clickable overlay or enhancement that allows viewers to engage in transactions during the content experience.
TOD abbr Transactional VOD
See also: Pay Per View, Video On-Demand
CIMM DEFINITION : Same definition as Pay Per View. (Source: Rentrak)
Trick Mode
See also: Trick Play
CIMM DEFINITION : Another term for trick play - when the viewer is involved in using the features of the DVR.
Trick Play
CIMM DEFINITION : A term used to describe the use of DVR time shifted viewing or On-Demand with a TV Remote Control device. Features include fast forward, rewind and pause.
NOTE – DVR metrics need to be decided. According to Kantar this data are not currently available in the U.S. but are available in the U.K. Rentrak says that it depends on the operator and the device. Some operators have trick mode data available in various forms (some more detailed than others) and Rentrak has been measuring multiple forms of these data from millions of Set-Top Boxes for years.
NOTE – The issue of measurement with trick modes needs further definition. For example, how many times do you count an impression within a session when it has been viewed more than once due to rewinds? (Source: Invidi)
Tru2way
See also: IPTV, Open Cable Application Platform
CIMM DEFINITION : The branded name for the OpenCable™ Application Platform (OCAP™) including Host, CableCard™, OCAP™, and other components. It is a standards-based technology platform that enables two-way interactive services on the television and other devices within a cable system. This platform enables consumer electronics, programming, and cable companies to deliver interactive services, programming, and advertising on retail and cable devices. (Source: CableLabs)
2 : A Set-Top Box that can hyperlink with the web and provide two way communication.
3 : Tru2way is a brand name for interactive digital cable services delivered over the cable video network, for example interactive program guides, interactive ads, games, chat, web browsing, and t-commerce. The brand also appears as "<tru2way>" and is used to market cable services, applications, and devices that support the tru2way cable architecture. Tru2way includes a middleware technology that may be built into televisions, Set-Top Box es, digital video recorders and other devices. Because the middleware is based on Java technology, it enables cable companies and other interactive application developers to “write” applications once and see them run successfully on any device that supports the tru2way architecture. (Source: Wikipedia)
4 : The interactive TV standard for use cable systems. It replaces the term "OpenCable Platform" and is CableLabs' brand for the OCAP middleware standard. (Source: Unisoft)
NOTE - Tru2way is the new name for OCAP. (Source: FourthWall Media)
True HD
See also: High Definition Television
CIMM DEFINITION : Refers to content that is shot and mastered in HD, but may also apply to some converted material.
True HTTI Report abbr True Target Index
CIMM DEFINITION : A TRA report that is used to help in the media purchasing optimization process. The report allows the user to see a comparison of ratings for specified purchaser / demographic target groups across programs, networks, dayparts, campaigns, etc. on a single report. (Source: TRA)
Tuneaway
See also: Retention
CIMM DEFINITION : Percentage of commercial time lost to channel changing among viewers who were present in seconds prior to the start of the commercial. The opposite of retention. It is the average of individuals who viewed a segment immediately before of an event and who disconnect during the event. The Infosys audience analytics platform enables users to create custom categorizations of ad-skipping by a number of variables including channel program, daypart etc., (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
2 : Specific second-by-second tune out of program or commercial content. (Source: Nielsen)
3 : Technical term when the cable Set-Top Box needs to tune away from the existing channel the viewer is on to a different channel to acquire data or performance other functions. Example of this is launching an unbound EBIF applications from an in-band data path. IN that scenario, the EBIF application downloading requires a Tuneaway. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Tuner Level
CIMM DEFINITION : In addressable advertising, the finest level of targeting - going from Zone to Node to Household to Tuner at the specific Set-Top Box.
Tuning
See also: Viewing
CIMM DEFINITION : Tuning, as opposed to viewing, is when the set is turned on to a channel or network or other content but it is unclear whether there is anyone watching at the time.
NOTE - Measurement of tuning vs. viewing.
Tuning Duration
See also: Duration
CIMM DEFINITION : The length of time that a Set-Top Box is tuned into a channel, network or other content. Duration is impacted by Latency and can differ from viewing duration (Dwell Time) in that there may not be anyone viewing during a tuning duration.
Tuning Event (Tune In, Tune Out)
CIMM DEFINITION : Similar to tuning duration - the specific piece of content that is recorded on the Set-Top Box. Some processors are using channel change activity to denote tuning events. Others say they are using 5 second intervals.
2 : Any access to a single channel via the STB for a duration of time. (Source: Nielsen)
NOTE - Some processors are using channel change activity to denote tuning events. Others say they are using five second intervals. A combination of both might indicate actual viewing.
Tuning Retention
CIMM DEFINITION : Amount of time tuned to an event measured by seconds. (Source: Nielsen)
2 : Also known as Tune-In (Source: Visible World)
TV Everywhere
CIMM DEFINITION : After being authenticated as a subscriber to an operator, it is the ability to view TV content on the internet in addition to on one’s television.
2 : A term coined by TimeWarner.
Two Way Networking
CIMM DEFINITION : The term used to describe user interaction data as it travels from the platform company to the subscribers location and back. Connotes the presence of an interactive infrastructure. (Source: Nielsen)
TXT-to-Order / Connect with TSR
CIMM DEFINITION : Using a mobile phone to text an order or request more information from an ad seen on a TV as a call-to-action. (Source: Mercury Media)
Unauthorized View
CIMM DEFINITION : Must be a subscriber to a channel in order to be able to view. Otherwise unauthorized.
NOTE - Is viewership counted if an unauthorized viewer is just viewing the "Can't View" slide on the subscription channel?
Unbound Application
See also: Bound Application
CIMM DEFINITION : An EBIF application that’s transmitted and loaded to the Set-Top Box independent of the video programming. It is typically not bound to any MELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE-2 video programming. There are multiple ways an unbound application can be downloaded from the headend system to the Set-Top Box es, e.g. in-band, out-of-band, DSG, Ethernet. Unbound applications are also sometime called widgets. EBIF applications from FourthWall Media’s TVWidgets product suite are examples of unbound applications.(Source: FourthWall Media)
Un-Flagged Fault
See also: Flagged Faults, Gaps
CIMM DEFINITION : Unanticipated or non-standard lapses or gaps in data transmission, output or receiving requiring special processing or procedures.
Unicast
See also: Video On-Demand
CIMM DEFINITION : Similar to the concept of broadcasting where one signal containing the same data is sent out to all possible destinations. It is the opposite of Multicast.
Unification
See also: Data Fusion, Data Matching
CIMM DEFINITION : The process of aggregating and integrating unique datasets, removing disparate or incorrect elements to create a single database.
Unification
CIMM DEFINITION : An unduplicated household, Set-Top Box or viewer to a piece of content.
Unique Interaction Rate
CIMM DEFINITION : The net, unduplicated number of STBs or Households interacting with an iTV application, expressed as a percent of the total STB / Household Universe exposed to a specific iTV campaign or period of time. (Source: Canoe)
Unique Reach
See also: Reach & Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : The number of unduplicated homes, Set-Top Boxes or individuals that have been exposed to the channel program or spot based on some minimum time spent condition (e.g. one second or one minute). Within a specific program or time period. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
2 : Subset of cume household or STB tuning by network or event on an impression basis. (Source: Nielsen)
Unique Reach %
See also: Reach & Frequency
CIMM DEFINITION : The number of unduplicated homes, Set-Top Boxes or individuals that have been exposed to the channel program or spot expressed as a percentage of the designated universe. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
2 : Subset of cume household or Set-Top Box tuning by network or event on a percentage basis. (Source: Nielsen)
Unique Remote Clicks
CIMM DEFINITION : In interactive television advertising, the number of subscriber Set-Top Boxes reporting at least one remote click for a given ad. Demonstrates first stage interest in the message. (Source: TRA)
2 : The number of unduplicated households or STBs reporting at least one remote click for a given spot ad. (Source: Nielsen)
3 : The number of subscriber Set-Top Boxes reporting at least one remote click for a given spot ad. (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE – Not available in TIVO’s reporting portal but available on a custom basis from their PowerWatch product.
Unique Responses
See also: Unique Remote Clicks
CIMM DEFINITION : In interactive television advertising, the number of subscriber Set-Top Boxes reporting at least one response for a given spot ad. Shows final stage of interest in the message.
2 : The number of subscriber Set-Top Boxes reporting at least one response for a given spot ad. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Unique STB Exposures
CIMM DEFINITION : The number of subscriber Set-Top Boxes reporting at least one STB exposure for a given ad spot. (Source: FourthWall Media)
NOTE - We will calculate unique reach at a household level, not box level. (Source: TIVO)
UTC abbr Universal Time Code
See also: Coordinated Universal Time (with same abbreviation)
CIMM DEFINITION : Coordinated Universal Time is a time measurement standard. Some internal Set-Top Box clocks are on UTC which replaced Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) as the main reference time scale.
Universe
See also: Footprints, Census
CIMM DEFINITION : Larger than a footprint.
2 : It is the defined population to which the STB measurement applies. (Source: TRA)
3 : According to Rentrak it is the larger population than a footprint to which the data processor is projecting. (Source: Rentrak)
4 : See census. (Source: TIVO)
Universes - Coverage
See also: Footprints
CIMM DEFINITION : The coverage area universe is the total number of homes or Set-Top Boxes reached for an operator, network or channel. Because of tiering, some networks are not carried in the full universe of an operator and therefore use a coverage area universe to calculate performance.
NOTE - Census vs. Footprint vs. Universe
Universes – Digital, etc.
See also: Footprints
CIMM DEFINITION : The digital universe is total number of homes or Set-Top Boxes reached for an operator. Because not all homes are digital homes, there is a lower universe of digital homes compared to the full universe of all homes that an operator can serve.
NOTE - Census vs. Footprint vs. Universe
Unlocked
CIMM DEFINITION : Icon / identifier for a video that would normally be locked is temporarily unlocked due to a user setting.
Unmeasured Networks
See also: Highly Targeted Networks, Long Tail Channels
CIMM DEFINITION : Networks, usually smaller and niche, that are not currently measured by Nielsen which is the current media currency.
Unmeasured TVs
See also: Over The Air
CIMM DEFINITION : Television sets in the home that do not have a digital box or households in general that do not subscribe to digital television. Since these homes tend to have no box or boxes without a return path, they are not measured by Set-Top Box data.
NOTE - According to Rentrak, in their Live system, they can assume that the distribution of viewing on non-digital networks is the same for digital and non-digital TVs. Then they compare the share of the non-digital channels from the STB data and apply that share to the full viewing hours of non-STB TVs. The adjustment is only applied to broadcast stations (the channels that are available to over-the-air households) to account for the unmeasured viewing from those households.
Upgrade
CIMM DEFINITION : Automated upgrade icon / indicator for non-subscribers to upgrade to subscription services via the On-Demand content listings for the subscription service.
Upstream
See also: Back Channel
CIMM DEFINITION : Automated upgrade icon / indicator for non-subscribers to upgrade to subscription services via the On-Demand content listings for the subscription service.
Usage Patterns
CIMM DEFINITION : The map of activity for a viewer based on their routine usage of media devices.
User Interaction
CIMM DEFINITION : The actions that a viewer takes to indicate that they are using their remote and television. On the internet it is the indication that the user is accessing content, clicking on ads etc.
NOTE - Remote button presses - used to ascertain capping.
UI abbr User Interface
See also: Graphic User Interface
CIMM DEFINITION : A system that enables a viewer to interact with a piece of equipment whether a television or a computer.
2 : Allows people to interact with electronic devices such as computers; hand-held devices such as MP3 Players, Portable Media Players or Gaming devices; household appliances and office equipment.
US TV Households
CIMM DEFINITION : The total number of households in the United States that have a television set - whether digital or analog - usually calculated by Nielsen.
Version Control
See also: Versioning
CIMM DEFINITION : Considered the same as versioning.
Versioning
See also: Quality Discrimination
CIMM DEFINITION : The process of adding aspects or qualities to products, services, software, etc. to make them unique, improved, upgraded, customized or otherwise targeted.
VDSL abbr Very High-Speed DSL
See also: Asymmetric DSL, Digital Subscriber Line, High Speed DSL, Symmetric DSL
CIMM DEFINITION : Very high-speed digital subscriber line that utilizes existing copper infrastructure of the telephone companies. VDSL offers video and data transmission rates up to 52 Mbps up to 2,700 feet. (Source: CableLabs)
VAD abbr Video Access Device
See also: Set-Top Box
CIMM DEFINITION : Any device which enables the TV set to access video content. Another term for a Set-Top Box. (Source: Nielsen)
Video Capture Cards
CIMM DEFINITION : Like a TV tuner. That which accesses video on a device like a television.
VOD abbr Video On-Demand
See also: Point to point, Unicast, Trick Play
CIMM DEFINITION : A service provided by the operator that enables subscribers to access programming on channels that can be viewed at the viewers convenience and that have DVR and addressable capability. Video On-Demand content is delivered to the end user at the time of request via multiple platforms such as cable, satellite, IPTV, Internet, Mobile, etc., Sometimes these channels are pay On-Demand and sometimes they are free On-Demand. Content can be streamed either through a Set-Top Box (allowing viewing in real-time) or downloaded to a device such as a computer or DVR (for future viewing).Internet television, accessed online, is an increasingly popular form of VOD.
2 : VOD permits a customer to browse an online program or film catalogue, to watch trailers and to then select a recording for playback. The playout of the selected movie starts nearly instantaneously on the customer's TV or PC. Technically, when the customer selects the movie, a point-to-point unicast connection is set up between the customer's decoder (Set-Top Box or PC) and the delivering streaming server. The signaling for the trick play functionality (pause, slow-motion, wind / rewind etc.,) is assured by RTSP (Real-time Streaming Protocol). The most common codecs used for VOD are MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and VC-1. In an attempt to avoid content piracy, the VOD content is usually encrypted. Whilst encryption of satellite and cable TV broadcasts is an old practice, with IPTV technology it can effectively be thought of as a form of Digital Rights Management. A film that is chosen, for example, may be playable for 24 hours following payment, after which time it becomes unavailable. (Source: itvt.com/glossary)
VOD Advertising (Pre-roll, Mid-roll, Post-roll)
CIMM DEFINITION : The placement of advertising before, within or after Video On-Demand content.
VOD on Broadband
See also: iPTV
CIMM DEFINITION : A form of IPTV. Video On-Demand that is delivered via an online broadband connection. Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
VOD on Cable
CIMM DEFINITION : Video On-Demand that is delivered via a cable or Modem, therefore viewable on the television as opposed to video which is delivered to be viewed on the computer or via satellite, IPTV, internet, mobile etc. Definition currently under review by CableLabs.
VOD on MSO Library
CIMM DEFINITION : Video On-Demand offered via MSOs that creates a point of difference from Satellite and Telco companies. Offered in both SD and HD. Culls product from a specific program providers stored library of programs.
VOD Telescoping
See also: Telescoping
CIMM DEFINITION : To stop watching linear television and begin the playback of a VOD. It is typically triggered by the viewer responding to an telescoping offer on screen. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Video Smoothing
See also: Smoothing
CIMM DEFINITION : A technique that tries to compensate for the differences in successive backchannel pings from the Set-Top Box for measurement and service purposes.
VCT abbr Viewer Controlled Triggers
CIMM DEFINITION : Interacting with a video or display ad that permits the viewer to respond to a question (e.g. viewer poll) and/or offer (e.g., coupon, sample, brochure, buy now). The ad runs when viewer initiates a control or trick play (such as pause or fast forward) or clicks on an overlay; may include the ability to save an ad to be viewed later.
VPVH abbr Viewers Per Thousand Viewing Households
See also: Proportion of Individuals Viewing
CIMM DEFINITION : The proportion that a specific audience watches of a channel, network, time period or any video content out of an average thousand homes.
2 : Proportion of individuals viewing within homes where the set is turned on. (Source: Kantar Media Audiences)
Viewing
See also: Tuning
CIMM DEFINITION : The duration that a Set-Top Box or household viewer watches a piece of content. Viewing implies that there is a viewer actively viewing through remote or other Set-Top Box activity.
2 : Tuning vs. Viewing issue - viewing is reporting of a person. It is a subset of tuning where there may not be anyone watching even though the set is on. (Source: Nielsen)
Viewing in the Buffer
See also: Buffer
CIMM DEFINITION : Viewing a form of playback without setting the recording through the DVR. Tuning into a program and letting it run and then rewinding back to the beginning without actually recording the content via the DVR. Playback can be fully linear (Live) or used to skip commercials.
NOTE - Is the viewer skipping ads or not skipping ads? Measurement - If viewing asset in the buffer it usually counts as live viewing. Live is viewing within 30 minutes of linear viewing. Viewing in the buffer often includes viewing of commercials whereas in true time shifted viewing, the number of ads viewed is much less. (Source: Dish Network)
Viewing Logs (Daily)
CIMM DEFINITION : The tuning records.
NOTE - Are they drawn from the same homes every day?
NOTE - Census level measurement (e.g., FourthWall Media’s Event Stream Collector) measures the same households and Set-Top Boxes every day, except for subscriber and STB churn, which must be accounted for. (Source: FourthWall Media)
Virtual Channels
See also: Tuning
CIMM DEFINITION : Links through Interactive Television that work like the internet. Like a "Walled Garden," a Virtual Channel is private. Example, TIVO subscribers can access a private channel where they can upload personal information that can be shared.
2 : In the digital cable context, a “virtual channel” is an arbitrary channel number that appears to the viewer as a normal, tunable channel, but in reality may map to an entirely different channel number, represent the HD / SD version of a broadcast channel, or map to another service entirely (e.g., the IPG, VOD client, DVR service, or EBIF applications). (Source: FourthWall Media)
3 : A specific channel number accessible through the IPG or remote number pad that is the storefront for a particular content provider's On-Demand content.
Virtual Reality
See also: Simulated Reality
CIMM DEFINITION : Particularly in gaming, the ability to create a different, false reality framework within a community.
VOIP abbr Voice Over Internet Protocol
CIMM DEFINITION : Telephone service offered via broadband over the internet.
NOTE - As this protocol becomes more prevalent through bundling, does it offer an easier way to measure cross platform?
Vook
CIMM DEFINITION : A video book that inserts and blends video into electronic text.
Voting and Polling
See also: Advanced Advertising
CIMM DEFINITION : The ability of the viewer to interact with content on the television via the Set-Top Box remote to register opinions, provide information and answer questions.
2 : Clickable overlays or enhancements to programming that allow viewers to input likes and dislikes of show participants, products, issues or other programming elements.
Walled Garden
See also: Virtual Channel
CIMM DEFINITION : A closed community of channels or services.
Watch
See also: Virtual Channel
CIMM DEFINITION : In Video On-Demand, this command starts playback for non-transaction, subscription, and free content.
Watermark
See also: Ad-ID, Metadata, Program Code, Digital Watermarking
CIMM DEFINITION : An element or a specific identifier that is added to content to prevent copyright infringement. This code is embedded in the signal.
Weighting
CIMM DEFINITION : The statistical application that creates stronger or lesser impact on parts of a sample or a subset of a data set to help the entire sample results better conform to the universe it is projecting to measure.
NOTE - Big Band, Fourth Wall, Rentrak and TIVO do not weight their STB data. Arbitron, Nielsen, TNS and TRA apply weighting methodology.
Widescreen
See also: Letterbox
CIMM DEFINITION : A term used generally to describe an aspect ratio wider than 4:3. For television, this refers to the 16 x 9 aspect ratio. A TV signal with a wider picture of 16:9 aspect ratio instead of conventional 4:3 . A preferred term vs. "letterbox", as it is more well-known to consumers.
WIFI
CIMM DEFINITION : Technology of wireless local area networks that can be used for mobile computing devices such as laptops, Internet and VOIP phone access, gaming, and connectivity of consumer electronics such as televisions.
Widgets - Ad and TV
See also: Apps
CIMM DEFINITION : Another name for "applications". Small software programs that have a distinctive purpose or use.
2: Ad Widget is an authoring and campaign management solution for interactive advertising that operates either independently, or by augmenting existing linear campaign management systems, for the effective management and delivery of interactive enhancements. TV - a suite of bound and unbound, Emmy-nominated, EBIF User Agent-agnostic EBIF applications such as news, weather, sports, finance widgets, eBay on TV widget, Fantasy Football widget, and local Search widget such as Yellow Pages on TV. (Source: FourthWall Media)
WAP abbr Wireless Application Protocol
CIMM DEFINITION : A secure specification that allows users to access information instantly via handheld wireless devices such as mobile phones, pagers, two-way radios, smartphones and communicators. A WAP browser provides all of the basic services of a computer based web browser but simplified to operate within the restrictions of a mobile phone, such as its smaller view screen. WAP sites are websites accessed via the WAP browser.
Wireless IP
CIMM DEFINITION : Internet protocol that is transmitted wirelessly.
Wrappers
See also: Skins
CIMM DEFINITION : A type of ad in addressable advertising where a frame around a piece of content contains the ad information / message.
Zapping
See also: Trick Play
CIMM DEFINITION : The act of changing channels rapidly to avoid viewing commercials.
NOTE - TIVO measures channel changing during commercial spots.
Zipping
See also: Trick Play, Fast Forward
CIMM DEFINITION : The act of fast forwarding through a commercial.
2: Percentage of total and/or target households that fast forwarded during the commercial. (Source: TRA)
Zombie STBs
CIMM DEFINITION : For STB On / TV Off; another name for the STBs that are counted as on when no one is actually watching, i.e., the box is on but the TV set is off. (Source: Canoe)
Zombie impressions
CIMM DEFINITION : The number of impressions (over)counted when the STB is on but the TV set is off. (Source: Canoe)
Zones
CIMM DEFINITION : A sub level of sample or census size for Set-Top Box data measurement or reporting purposes. Granularity from Zone to Node.
2: Multiple zip codes. (Source: FourthWall Media)