Nielsen makes Q4 loss

The company’s latest financial results show that revenue was $6.3bn across 2020, equivalent to drops of 3.2% on a reported basis and 2.3% on a constant currency basis from 2019’s results.

Nielsen Global Media revenues decreased 2.3% to almost $3.4bn on a reported and constant currency basis, compared with the prior year.

Nielsen Global Connect revenues decreased 4.2% to $2.9bn on a reported basis, or 2.4% on a constant currency basis, in comparison with 2019. Global Connect was sold by Nielsen at the end of last year.

Despite a turbulent year, the company’s net loss of $6m was much lower than in 2019, where the net loss was $415m.

The results mean a diluted net loss per share of $0.02, and adjusted earnings per share of $1.67.

For Nielsen’s fourth quarter results, covering the final three months of 2020, revenues were $1.7bn, down 1.1% on a reported basis or 1.8% on a constant currency basis from 2019.

Nielsen Global Media fourth quarter revenues decreased 1.9% to $872m on a reported basis, or 2.6% on a constant currency basis, compared to the prior year.

Revenues at Nielsen Global Connect decreased 0.2% to $800m on a reported basis compared with 2019, or 0.9% on a constant currency basis.

This meant net income of $35m for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared with a $109m net loss for the same period the year before.

Nielsen’s projection for 2021 included total revenue growth on a constant currency basis of between 2% and 3%, and organic revenue growth on a constant currency basis of between 3.5% and 4.5%.

These estimates excluded anticipated separation-related costs of between $220m and $240m from the proposed sale of Nielsen Global Connect.

David Kenny (pictured), chief executive officer of Nielsen, said: “We acted swiftly to keep our people safe and healthy, and to mitigate the impact of the global pandemic on our operations. In parallel, we accelerated progress on our transformation, rationalising our product portfolio including the planned sale of Global Connect.

“I am extremely proud of all that our teams accomplished during such unprecedented times.”