Barb launches overnight commercial reporting in beta 14 April 2025 Barb, the industry’s standard for understanding what people watch, has launched the first set of overnight commercial spot ratings in beta, working with Clearcast and AdSignal. Barb awarded Clearcast with the contract to deliver interim overnight commercial spot logs in December 2023, following a competitive tender process. The logs are delivered in conjunction with AdSignal. AdSignal monitors Barb-reported commercial channels’ live broadcasts and matches the ads aired with Clearcast’s ad library to enable Barb to produce interim overnight reports of ratings for commercial spots. They are accessible to clients via the Barb API and data bureaux. The logs are finalised after eight days when the broadcasters’ own commercial logs are published. Barb already produces overnight programme logs to generate interim programme ratings, which are then updated after eight days when the broadcasters provide their own programme logs. Jim Jarrett, Head of Research Operations at Barb, said: “Overnight commercial spot ratings give media agencies and advertisers earlier insight into how their campaigns are performing. This meets the long-standing demand from our clients to make TV ad campaign reporting more accountable, responsive and time sensitive.” Dan Flynn, Deputy Research Director at the IPA, added: “Agencies have long been asking for a single file which gives an earlier and more accurate picture of commercial audiences. This development is a welcome step in modernising trading systems and will mean that TV campaign performance can be assessed sooner than ever before.” For more information, please see the Interim overnight spot logs – one pager and Interim overnight spot logs – FAQ.