Nielsen is threatening to measure Netflix and Amazon Prime subscribers. Nielsen CEO Mitch Barns says they'll be able to measure 'total' audience across all devices and screens.

Netflix and Amazon have refused to share what their subscribers watch because the info could potentially lessen their leverage in negotiations for movies and reruns. In turn, that makes it hard for TV networks to determine value and determine if streaming is hurting traditional viewing.

Netflix has almost 60 million subscribers. Amazon Prime has about 40 million.

Those of us in TV have to feel sorry for Netflix and Amazon; they have no idea what voodoo numbers are ahead for them.

h/t Bloomberg