Nielsen Acquires DoubleVerify to Create New Combined Media Intelligence Platform

Nielsen Holdings and DoubleVerify have announced a definitive agreement under which Nielsen will acquire DoubleVerify in an all-cash transaction with an enterprise value of approximately $2.15 billion. The deal combines Nielsen's audience measurement platform with DoubleVerify's digital ad verification capabilities.

Karthik Rao, Chief Executive Officer of Nielsen, says: Over the last few years, Nielsen has undergone a fundamental transformation - accelerating product innovation; expanding our platform across the full media lifecycle, from discovery and planning through measurement and outcomes; and strengthening our financial foundation. The result is a stronger, more agile Nielsen that has earned its place as a leading media intelligence platform for the modern advertising ecosystem. This combination will unite two organizations focused on strengthening independence and trust in advertising. Joining forces with DoubleVerify will extend our capabilities deeper into the digital media industry, ensuring that the spend flowing between buyers and sellers is reaching real people in brand-suitable environments, through verified channels. As advertising workflows become increasingly automated, together we can offer publishers, advertisers, agencies, and platforms a truly independent, end-to-end partner that connects trusted audience intelligence with verified media delivery - across every screen, every channel, and every transaction - enabling superior decisions and outcomes.

Mark Zagorski, Chief Executive Officer of DoubleVerify, says: Today's announcement is an exciting milestone for DoubleVerify. As a private entity with the support of Nielsen, we will have access to expanded resources to deliver new, market-leading solutions that drive exceptional value for our customers and partners. DoubleVerify's MRC-accredited quality signals, in combination with Nielsen's deduplicated cross-screen audience measurement, will fuel genuine market innovation - a single currency that scores media on both audience delivery and media environment quality. I'm proud of the strong momentum we've built for DoubleVerify as the leading media effectiveness platform, the strength of our AI-powered measurement and optimization platform, and the exceptional work of our team.

R. Davis Noell, Chairperson of the Board of DoubleVerify, says: DoubleVerify has established itself as the global benchmark in digital media quality and effectiveness. Over its growth trajectory, DoubleVerify expanded its AI-powered platform, deepened customer relationships, and scaled into a true category leader. Bringing these assets together creates a significant win for both companies' customers and partners. We're excited for Mark and the DoubleVerify leadership team as they continue that journey with Nielsen.

DoubleVerify shareholders will receive $13.60 per share in cash, representing a 30% premium to DoubleVerify's 60-trading day volume weighted average price as of August 5, 2026. The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies and is expected to close by the first quarter of 2027, subject to DoubleVerify shareholder approval, regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions. The deal will be financed through committed debt financing from Barclays, BofA Securities, and Citi, along with incremental equity financing and cash on hand at Nielsen. Upon completion, DoubleVerify will become a privately held company and its common stock will be delisted. DoubleVerify will continue to operate under its own name and brand.

Funds affiliated with Providence Equity Partners, which own approximately 11.8% of DoubleVerify's outstanding shares, have agreed to vote in favor of the transaction. Providence will conclude its investment upon close.

Barclays is serving as exclusive financial advisor and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP as legal advisor to Nielsen. PJT Partners is serving as exclusive financial advisor and Paul Hastings LLP as legal advisor to DoubleVerify. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is serving as legal advisor to Providence.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2026/08/11/nielsen-acquires-doubleverify-t...
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