CW Network Expresses Frustration Over Nielsen Big Data Viewership, Questions Credibility Of Data

CW Network issues a statement regarding Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel viewership method.

In September, Nielsen ratings changed its ratings system, going from panel-only method and the new Big Data + Panel method.

In changing the methodology, wrestling viewership took a noticeable dip.

Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics reports that AEW Collision viewership dropped 6%, AEW Dynamite viewership dropped 9%, and WWE SmackDown viewership dropped 14% under the new methodology. WWE NXT, which airs on a network and not cable, measured 9% lower on average in total viewership.

CW Network, the home of NXT, gave the following statement to Wrestlenomics regarding the Big Data number:

“We’ve expressed to Nielsen our deep frustration with the way it handled the process, communication, and methodology behind its Big Data rollout. 

“The sudden and substantial discrepancy in WWE NXT viewership reported by Big Data, relative to long-established viewing patterns, is inexplicable and lacks credibility. Further, a comparison with data from all other measurement products (including others from Nielsen itself) exposes a fundamentally flawed methodology in Big Data. We are disappointed by Nielsen’s lack of cooperation, transparency, and accountability with its network partners as we work to resolve this issue.”

The latest episode of NXT (November 14) scored 554,000 Viewers.