Learn about being a panel member ...

What’s it about? Who is it for?
Have you ever wondered how television companies decide which programmes to put on the air, or which programmes people are watching and which they aren’t? One important way is by asking people like you to take part in the official UK television audience measurement panel. The panel is operated by Kantar Media on behalf of BARB, the company that produces the official UK television ratings. We would like to invite your household to join the panel.

Why me? Why my household?
Membership of the panel is not open to all. Just a few thousand homes take part, specially selected in a way that ensures the panel is truly representative of all UK households. So we need a cross section of the population, people of all ages and backgrounds, including people who don’t watch much television. By taking part, you will be reflecting the viewing habits of people just like you!

What is involved?
We measure the viewing of everyone in your household. To do this, we attach a meter to each TV set in the home. The meter automatically detects when the TV is on and the channel being viewed. It has a display which responds to a special handset which we provide.

The meter won’t affect how you use any of your TV sets.

Each member of the household is allocated a button on the Kantar Media handset. All we ask is that each member of your household presses their button when they enter a room where the TV is on, and press it again when they leave the room. If you have guests, we ask that you register them as well, again using the handset.

That’s all there is to it.

Reward scheme
Members of the BARB panel will also receive a monthly incentive as a thank you for being on the panel. You’ll be able to choose how to receive your rewards by using a special rewards website or by phoning our rewards helpline. Incentives will be given to each member of the home as well as the household as a whole.

To see what is available, please visit our rewards website using the username 171510 and password browse.

What does the meter do?
When the TV is switched on, the meter collects information about the channels being viewed. It does this without interfering with the TV in any way. The meter actually uses the sound of the broadcast to identify the channel, and can identify satellite, cable and ‘off air’ broadcasts.

In addition, every time a button is pressed on the handset, a signal is sent to the meter, identifying the viewer. So we can work out ‘who’ is watching ‘what’ on the TV.

Overnight, each meter calls into our office and we collect the information for the previous day. The call is automatic – you don’t have to do anything and it will cost you nothing.

Normally the call is made using the mobile phone network, so there are no costs for you. If there is limited or no mobile network then we will use a free phone number via your landline. Either way, you will not be charged for the calls.

What happens to the information?
The information will be used to understand how people are watching TV – what they watch and how long they watch it.

Confidentiality
Your personal details will be held securely by Kantar Media who work on BARB’s behalf. Your details may also be passed to another market research agency, RSMB, who is responsible for over-seeing the research on behalf of BARB. Your details will only be used in connection with the BARB research. Neither Kantar Media nor RSMB will disclose your identity to any other third party and all your details will be held in the strictest confidence.

How long does the survey last?
This is an on-going survey. We normally expect people to commit to at least a few months, but many stay on for years.

What does the installation involve?
One of our specially trained technicians will install the meters at a time that fits with your schedule. We will need to install a meter on each of the TVs in your home. The meter plugs into the sockets at the back of your TV. If these are already in use, we use a special adapter which allow us to connect. But don't worry, none of what we do will affect the way your TV works.

We recommend that you set aside a few hours for the whole process; however this will depend on the type and number of TVs in the household and also the additional pieces of equipment you have connected to them. We can confirm the likely installation time when we contact you to make an appointment for our technician to visit.

The other part of the system – the Kantar Media handset – will be set up by the technician, who will show you how to register your viewing. The technician will be able to answer any questions you might have about the meter equipment itself.

How do I use the handset?
Our handset is really easy to use. We’ll give you a handset for each TV. Each member of your family will have their own button on every handset. We’ll write each person’s name opposite their button number as a reminder. When a family member enters the room when the TV is on, their button must be pressed. The display on the meter will confirm their presence. Before leaving the room, simply press the button again to tell us that you are no longer in front of the television. The display on the meter will acknowledge this. It’s that easy.

What about guests?
We’d like to know if you have any guests who watch television. Guests can also use the handset to register as viewers. The technician will show you how and will also leave a simple set of instructions.

What happens next?
Thank you for reading this brochure. Please share it with other members of your household. In the next few days, one of our team will telephone you to answer any further questions you might have. We will make an appointment for one of our technicians to come and install the equipment in your home and explain how things work.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please call us on freephone number 0800 018 7013. We’re open between 2pm and 9pm Monday to Friday.

Who is BARB?
BARB, the Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board, produces the television audience figures for all programmes on all of the television channels available in the UK. BARB is owned by all the big names in television: the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky.

Visit www.barb.co.uk for more information.

Who is Kantar Media?
Kantar Media is the research company that has been asked by BARB to undertake the TV audience measurement. Kantar Media is one of the world’s leading market research groups. Around the globe, we provide TV viewing information in over 30 countries.

Visit www.kantarmedia.com for more information.