Nielsen to buy DoubleVerify in $2.15 billion cash deal

Nielsen disclosed plans to acquire DoubleVerify in an all-cash transaction valued at roughly $2.15 billion, or $13.60 per share, representing a 30% premium over the latest trading price. Karthik Rao, Nielsen’s chief executive, explained that the deal will expand the company’s digital-media footprint and provide advertisers with verified, brand-safe audience data across every platform. Mark Zagorski, chief executive of DoubleVerify, said the partnership will enable the development of a single measurement standard that scores both audience delivery and media environment quality.

The boards of both companies have approved the deal, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027 pending shareholder and regulator consent. Providence Equity Partners LLC, holder of about 11.8% of DoubleVerify’s common stock, will vote in favor and exit its stake at closing. The acquisition comes as the industry seeks unified metrics for linear TV, streaming and on-demand video.