Measurement revenues of $2.54bn increased 3.7% on a reported basis in 2021. Overall growth was solid according to the company, with strength in national and digital measurement products and local products returning to positive growth. Content revenues of $955m increased 5.4% on a reported basis, driven in part by improving trends in short-cycle revenues, solid growth in content, plus recovery in the sports business.

For the fourth quarter, measurement revenues of $647m increased 3.7% on a reported basis, while content revenues of $247m decreased 0.4%. Revenue in impact grew in the high single digits on an organic constant currency basis, driven by growth in short-cycle revenue and recovery in the sports business, offset in part by a timing-related decline in content.

Commenting on the results, chief executive officer David Kenny said: “We delivered strong results in 2021. We successfully sold Nielsen Global Connect, hit significant product milestones and exceeded all of our original 2021 guidance metrics despite facing some unanticipated challenges. We are strongly positioned within the media ecosystem, with growing relevance as audiences shift to streaming and we are delivering value to clients across our three essential solutions.”

He continued: “We made measurable progress toward becoming a digital-first company and our strategy aligns with where growth in the industry is coming from. We are piloting the first iteration of Nielsen ONE, which we launched in January, with a representative group of clients across media buyers and sellers and feedback has been positive.

“We also made progress on strengthening our balance sheet, reducing our net debt leverage by over half a turn in 2021. We now have the flexibility to return more capital to shareholders, while continuing to invest in organic growth initiatives and pursue strategic, tuck-in M&A.

“Our $1 billion share repurchase authorisation reflects our board’s confidence in both our short and long-term growth prospects and enables us to deliver value to our shareholders.”