Top officials at the media free zones in the country voiced today their full support for the UAE's TV audience measurement initiative. They expressed their support during a meeting held today between officials from the National Media Council (NMC), the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) and directors of the media free zones.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Abu Dhabi Media Zone (TwoFour54), Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Ras Al Khaimah Media City, and Free Zone of Sharjah International Airport.

The chiefs of the media free zones stressed the need for adopting more advanced systems for TV audience measurement in order to achieve a mutual development in the local media industry that will create a viable data base assisting broadcasters to deliver proper shows and increase their ad revenues.

The meeting explored ways for working out a common concept for building a preparatory framework that ensures implementation of the initiative in a better way in line with policies of the NMC and TRA.

The project consultant made a presentation about the project including a detailed plan for implementation after the consultancy studies were completed.

The NMC and TRA said they were keen to see the TV stations acting as the cornerstone of the project, a mission that requires them to play an effective role in the consulting or execution phases of the five-year project. Separate meetings will take place within the few next weeks between the consultant and the project executive committee to design the a detailed concept of the project and determine the role of each stakeholder in the implementation of the project.