At its Brooklyn event, AOL announced sixteen original shows that will premiere throughout the year on The AOL On Network. AOL and Nielsen also revealed that AOL has signed on to participate in a beta that will provide TV-comparable audience measurement across all of AOL’s new series. The Nielsen beta will deliver GRPs (gross ratings points) that reflect the audience reach by age and gender for AOL’s new programming as an extension of Nielsen Digital Program Ratings, which currently measures TV-originated content viewed online. In addition to measuring content, AOL will be tagging associated advertising using Nielsen Online Campaign Ratings; the combination of audience measurement across ‘digital-first’ content and related advertising will make it possible for complete audience comparisons to TV for the first time.

“We are fully committed to producing premium content at scale,” said Ran Harnevo, President of AOL Video. “Premium content is premium content, regardless of screen, delivery, length, or format, and our relationship with Nielsen signifies that understanding. As TV and digital continue to merge into one ecosystem, we believe in one standard form of measurement, and we’re proud to be the first digital client to work with Nielsen to make this vision a reality.”

New Series include:

• Making a Scene with James Franco: the actor recreates favorite film scenes, with a twist. Produced by Rabbit Bandini Productions and Trium Entertainment.
• Kevin Nealon’s Laugh Lessons: Nealon teaches comedy to kids. Executive producers Ellen DeGeneres, Kevin Nealon, Jeff Kleeman, Ed Glavin, Andy Lassner, Mary Connelly for Telepictures.
• That’s Racist – Jews and Money. Asian Drivers. Polish IQ. Actor and comedian Mike Epps explores stereotypes and how history and fact often distorts into a snide shorthand. Produced by Andrew Fried for Boardwalk Pictures.
• Connected: AOL’s first long-form video series chronicles the lives of five seemingly disconnected New Yorkers as they explore the concept of family in New York City. Produced by Koda Communications in association with Warrior Poets.
• Park Bench: Steve Buscemi and AOL have teamed-up to take over the streets of New York in this new original series – a local’s take on the special people, places and spirit of The Big Apple. Produced by Olive Productions and RadicalMedia.