MUMBAI: Television-and-Internet audience measurer Nielsen Holdings has raised $1.6 billion through an initial public offering (IPO).

Nielsen will use the money heaved through the IPO to cut its debt.

Nielsen was acquired by a clutch of private equity firms in July 2006 for 8.9 billion euros ($11.4 billion), including the assumption of debt.

Its private-equity shareholders, Blackstone Group, Carlyle Group, KKR & Co. and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP, will continue to hold all their Nielsen shares.