Rentrak has secured a new patent on a set-top box technology that lets the device know when a TV set is turned on and off.
With set-tops typically running 24/7, this technology is a useful tool for the research company, as it attempts to more accurately track 60 million set-tops to measure live and DVR viewing, and 114 million devices to tally VOD consumption.
"This is great news for Rentrak and the video industry," said Rentrak's vice chairman and CEO Bill Livek, in a statement. "This patent recognizes the fact that only Rentrak has the intellectual property and years of experience to precisely measure TV viewing everywhere. This technology is an integral part of providing massive and passive television measurement for our clients."
Rentrak's patent is 8,863,166. The measurement service is currently trying to take market share away from Nielsen, the company that has long dominated television's audience measurement business.
For more:
- read this Rentrak press release
- read this Multichannel News story
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