Nielsen set to acquire DoubleVerify for $2.15bn
Under the agreement, DoubleVerify shareholders will receive $13.60 per share in cash
Nielsen has agreed to acquire media verification platform DoubleVerify in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $2.15 billion, expanding its capabilities across audience measurement, media verification and advertising analytics.
Under the agreement, DoubleVerify shareholders will receive $13.60 per share in cash, representing a 30 per cent premium to the company's 60-day volume-weighted average share price as of August 5, 2026. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.
Deal expands media intelligence platform
Nielsen said the acquisition will combine its audience measurement and media intelligence capabilities with DoubleVerify's technology for media verification, viewability, brand suitability and invalid traffic detection.
The company said the combined platform will provide advertisers, agencies, publishers and media platforms with integrated tools covering audience measurement, campaign delivery and media quality across television, streaming, social media, mobile and other digital channels.
Companies outline strategic rationale
Karthik Rao, Chief Executive Officer, Nielsen: "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."
Mark Zagorski, Chief Executive Officer, DoubleVerify: "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 to remain as a brand
Following completion of the transaction, DoubleVerify will become a privately held company within Nielsen while continuing to operate under the DoubleVerify name and brand.
The acquisition will be financed through a combination of debt financing, equity financing and Nielsen's existing cash resources. The boards of both companies have approved the transaction.
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