TV ratings system delay due to suspected cyber attack

A suspected cyber attack has hit overnight TV ratings, leaving executives with an anxious wait to see daily ratings figures.

Big Brother Australia host Sonia Kruger. Picture: Supplied

A targeted cyber attack is being blamed for an “unexpected disruption” to the Australian television ratings system overnight.

The ratings blackout has forced television executives to endure an anxious wait to pore over the daily ratings figures, which are usually released about 9am.

The system failure comes as Seven’s Big Brother entered its much hyped penultimate show ahead of the season grand finale tonight, competing against Ten’s reality prime time offering, A Bachelor in Paradise.

Industry speculation was rife the outage had been caused by a targeted cyber attack but Nielsen, which oversees the Australian television ratings system, said it was “still investigating” the cause of the disruption and was working to resolve the issue as swiftly as possible.

“Nielsen has become aware of an unexpected disruption relating to the Australian TV Audience Measurement (TAM) data centre environment,” a spokesperson said.

“The day’s TV viewing data will be collected and processed once functionality is restored. This means that all data due for delivery on Tuesday (July 21st) will be delayed.

“Our team is dedicated to resolving this matter swiftly. In the meantime, we will be sure to keep the industry informed as new information on the matter becomes available.”