The measurement service, to be known as Multiview, will commence in late 2009 and will feature TNS's RapidView, which uses set-top box data collection and return path technology.
Multiview will comprise a representative panel of 10,000 households recruited and maintained by TNS Australia from the Austar and Foxtel subscriber databases.
It will measure digital TV services carried on the operators' platforms and offer a national overview of subscription TV.
Information reported from Multiview will include live viewing and other activities such as time-shift viewing, high definition channels, interactive services and video-on-demand services.
The service will be operated by TNS for Multiview Analytics, a newly created independent organisation owned by Multichannel Network (MCN), a subscription TV advertising sales house in Australia.
Ian Garland, who will be leading Multiview Analytics, said: "We are very pleased to be able to work with TNS who are the world leaders in services of this type in establishing this panel.
"Our partnership marks our commitment to gain new insights into the viewing and behaviour of audiences in subscription TV homes. In addition, the services will provide greater accountability to advertisers across our platforms in areas such as target audiences and interactive advertising."
Multiview Analytics will operate independently of MCN and its shareholders Foxtel, Austar, Premier Media Group and XYZnetworks, to provide research and audience measurement services to the broader media and marketing community.
Nick Burfitt, global head of TNS RapidView, said: "TNS Media Research was the first organisation to provide a commercial return path data (RPD) service back in 2005 and we are delighted to have been chosen by the Australian subscription TV industry to create and manage the Multiview."
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